access issues Archives

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Amazon remembers it has an Android app store, kills it

Google may be required to allow third-party app stores access to the Google Play app catalog following a legal setback. This change could benefit companies like Epic Games and Microsoft. Amazon, despite potentially benefiting from this shift, has decided to discontinue phone support for its Appstore due to low user engagement. Amazon's Fire devices, which run on a customized version of Android called Fire OS, will continue to support the Appstore, although the company does not explicitly acknowledge the Android connection. Amazon's statement suggests that its apps may not operate on Android devices after the Appstore's shutdown, potentially excluding Fire tablets and Fire TVs from this definition. Developers who have optimized their apps for the Amazon store may be negatively affected by the transition, but the financial impact is expected to be minimal due to low user engagement.

AppWizard

December 17, 2024

Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2 is here with our first look at the working Linux Terminal app

Google has released Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2 for testers in the Android Beta Program, which includes bug fixes and new features. The update is available for devices such as Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, Pixel 9, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, with a build number of BP11.241121.010. Notable bug fixes include resolving access issues in developer settings, fixing connectivity problems with glucose sensors, addressing call placement delays, enabling charging optimization settings, correcting null pointer issues, improving responsiveness on the Pixel Fold, enhancing audio transitions, and resolving Bluetooth connection failures. The Linux Terminal app is now functional, allowing users to run Linux instances, and features like notification cooldowns have been introduced. Users can provide feedback through the Android Beta Feedback app or the official subreddit.

AppWizard

December 12, 2024

Meta meltdown: WhatsApp, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook hit by global outage

Users of Meta's platforms—WhatsApp, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook—are experiencing significant disruptions, with outages reported in the United States, India, and Israel. Many users are unable to access messages or facing long wait times. Downdetector recorded around 70,000 reports of issues with Instagram at 1:00 PM, with similar spikes for Facebook and Messenger. Major cities affected include New York, Chicago, Detroit, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Meta's Communications Director acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a technical problem and assuring users that it is being addressed.

AppWizard

December 11, 2024

Is Facebook down? Users report problems accessing FB, Instagram, Threads and Messenger.

Users in the United States are experiencing access issues with Meta's social media applications, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Messenger, with reports starting around 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. Downdetector logged nearly 90,000 issues with Facebook by 1:30 p.m. Eastern, while users reported difficulties in posting and engaging with content. A Meta spokesperson acknowledged the technical issue but did not disclose its cause or a resolution timeline. Cisco ThousandEyes indicated the outage began around 17:55 UTC due to internal server errors and timeouts, although network connectivity to Meta's frontend web servers was unaffected. WhatsApp users, particularly in Argentina and Brazil, also faced message-sending difficulties. This incident follows a similar disruption in March when over half a million users reported being logged out of Meta's platforms due to an unspecified technical issue.