Mobile Archives

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Review of ‘DoNotNotify,’ a free Android app that filters and blocks unwanted smartphone notifications.

DoNotNotify is an Android app that allows users to manage their notification settings with a high degree of customization. Key features include: - Real-time notification blocking using Android's NotificationListenerService. - Creation of deny and allow lists for specific notifications. - Support for simple partial matching and regular expression patterns to filter notifications. - Scheduling rules to be active during specific time frames. - Over 40 pre-configured rules for popular applications. - Automatic addition of relevant rules when compatible apps are installed. - Customizable notification retention and review of received alerts. - Tracking of blocked notifications through a block history feature. - Ability to import and export rules as JSON files. - Offline operation without data collection. To install the app, users can download it from the Google Play Store, enable notification access, and manage rules through the app's interface. Users can create new rules based on their notification history and customize settings, although advanced filtering may require experimentation.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

RIP Samsung Messages: End-of-life date officially announced

Samsung will phase out the Samsung Messages app by July 2026, encouraging users to transition to Google Messages for a more consistent messaging experience across Android devices. Samsung previously announced in July 2024 that Google Messages would become the default messaging app for Galaxy smartphones. The upcoming Galaxy S26 series will feature Google Messages exclusively, without Samsung Messages. Devices running Android 11 or older will still support Samsung Messages. Users are advised to check their app for specific shutdown details, which may vary by region.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Netflix ordered to pay back millions of subscribers in landmark ruling

A court in Rome ruled that Netflix's price hikes from 2017 to 2024 were illegal due to a lack of justified reasons. Long-term subscribers in Italy could receive refunds of up to €500 for Premium plan users and €250 for Standard plan users. Netflix has 90 days to inform affected customers, or it may face daily fines of €700. The ruling stems from a lawsuit by consumer advocacy group Movimento Consumatori, which challenged the price increases. Current prices must revert to previous levels, and Netflix plans to appeal the decision while updating its contract terms for future price increases. The ruling currently applies only in Italy.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Android’s controversial sideloading changes pushed me to build my own app installer

Using ADB via the command line can be cumbersome, prompting the desire to create a tailored application focused on the APK installation workflow, including wireless debugging pairing, file browsing, and bundle unpacking. A recent poll indicated that 48% of respondents use ADB fairly often, while 35% have used it once or twice. The author, a moderately skilled programmer, explored AI-assisted "vibe coding" to develop an app in Go, chosen for its simplicity and cross-platform capabilities. The project began with outlining its structure and creating a basic ADB wrapper in Go, which evolved into a functional terminal application within three days of part-time effort. The app, a compact 7MB executable, manages ADB sessions, allows pairing with Android devices over USB or Wi-Fi, includes a file explorer, and supports installing and unpacking various app bundles. Despite its usefulness, the author noted a limited understanding of Go due to reliance on AI for problem-solving. The app's source code is available on the Tiny APK Installer GitHub repository.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

If you’ve got a CMF Watch, the Nothing X app is taking over: this is what you need to know

Nothing will phase out the CMF Watch app, removing it from app stores on April 3, and users are encouraged to migrate to the Nothing X app. Full functionality of the Nothing X app is expected by July 19, 2026. Users must begin transferring their data now, which will deactivate their CMF Watch app accounts. The Watch 3 Pro, launched in July 2025, features a four-channel heart rate sensor, 131 sports modes, a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, dual-band GPS, and a battery life of 13 days. CMF Watches offer budget-friendly options and have received a million investment from Optiemus to enhance their capabilities. CMF operates independently from Nothing, headquartered in India, and has created around 1,800 jobs.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Pixel users report Now Playing app is finally working as it should

The Pixel's “Now Playing” feature has become a standalone app following the March Pixel Drop, improving music discovery and allowing users to manage their song history. Users reported issues such as the missing “Tap to see what’s playing” feature on the lock screen and syncing problems with Now Playing history. Google has issued an update to address these glitches, and some users have confirmed the return of the lock screen feature, although not all have benefited from the update. Google provided a troubleshooting guide for users facing difficulties, including steps to enable necessary services, ensure song identification, and restore missing song history. The app requires a full 24 hours to set up correctly, and many issues are linked to the March software update.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Goodbye, Duolingo; I’ve found a much better language-learning app

Rita El Khoury shares her positive experience with the language-learning app Babbel, which she prefers over Duolingo and Memrise due to its focus on practical communication and real-life conversations. Babbel's curriculum emphasizes essential phrases and useful vocabulary, enhancing retention through a flashcard system that includes visual aids, text, and pronunciation. The app offers a variety of practice methods, including grammar guides and audio recaps, allowing users to tailor their learning experience. Babbel also features an AI-powered Speak function for conversation practice, helping users overcome speaking hesitations. While El Khoury notes some limitations, such as the need to switch the app's primary language for different language pairs, she is considering a long-term subscription due to Babbel's alignment with her learning style and its flexible pricing structure.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Your Galaxy’s Weather app just got a facelift: Here is what’s new

Samsung has released an update to its Weather app, version 1.7.30.8, which includes new icons for the Pollen card representing Tree, Grass, and Ragweed. The Wind and Pressure cards have been redesigned with new graphics, and the Moon card now displays moonrise and moonset times side by side for better space efficiency. The Radar card has been improved with additional icons for easier access to specific views like the 6-hour forecast, radar, cloud, and temperature. Users are encouraged to refresh their Weather app via the Galaxy Store to access these updates.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Fitbit food logging and other new app features start going live

The Fitbit app on Android is being updated to version 4.66, which includes new features such as food and mood logging capabilities. The update is being rolled out in stages, and many users, including those with the Google Pixel 10 Pro, may not have immediate access. Food logging has been revamped and can be accessed via the Gemini coach button for public preview users, while standard users can still log meals using the “+” button. The update also enhances hydration tracking, allowing users to log water under the label “log water.” The navigation bar has been redesigned, replacing the Coach and You tabs with Fitness, Sleep, and Health tabs. The Health tab now includes new Focus Areas like Nutrition and Mental Wellbeing. The rollout is expected to continue over the coming days.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

2.3 Million Users Affected by New Android Malware Hid in 50 Google Play Apps

Google has imposed strict restrictions on sideloading applications on Android devices due to concerns about risks from external sources. A new malware named NoVoice has been discovered on Google Play, embedded in over 50 applications with at least 2.3 million downloads, potentially compromising that many devices. The malware seeks root access by exploiting vulnerabilities in older Android versions and can steal sensitive data and install/remove apps without consent. It is difficult to remove, as it installs recovery scripts that survive factory resets. However, Google has stated that devices updated since May 2021 are protected against this threat, and Google Play Protect removes these apps and blocks new installs. Users with devices updated after May 2021 are considered safe, while those with infected apps should consider their devices compromised.