Android devices Archives

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Why is Amazon Shutting down Android’s Appstore?

Amazon will close its Amazon Appstore on Android devices on August 20, 2025, while it has already ceased operations on Windows in 2024. The Appstore will still function on Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices. The closure is part of Amazon's strategy to focus on its own devices, where most customers engage with the Appstore. Customers with remaining Amazon Coins will receive refunds, and there is no guarantee that apps from the Appstore will work on Android devices after the closure. Users are advised to back up important app data and explore alternative app sources like the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Amazon App Store to shut down on Android within 48 hours

Amazon's App Store will no longer be accessible to Android users starting August 20, 2025, although it will still function on Fire TVs and Fire Tablets. Applications downloaded from the App Store will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices after this date, raising concerns about app stability and security. Amazon will also discontinue its Amazon Coins program on the same date, and users with unspent balances will be eligible for refunds if their payment information is current. Users are advised to log into their Amazon accounts to verify their balance and update their payment details. Forbes recommends that Android users use the Google Play Store for app needs due to its security measures. The shutdown reflects Amazon's strategic shift away from competing with Google Play on Android devices, focusing instead on its Fire ecosystem, which has sold over 40 million units globally in 2024. The Amazon App Store, launched in 2011, struggled to gain market share, with downloads dipping below 1% of the global app market by 2022.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Confirmed—These 20 popular Android apps are accessing your microphone, location and files without you knowing it… and thus spying on you

A study by Which? and Hexiosec analyzed 20 popular Android apps, revealing that many request excessive permissions beyond their core functionalities. Notably, Xiaomi Home requested 91 permissions, Samsung SmartThings 82, Facebook 69, and WhatsApp 66. TikTok and Temu also raised concerns for their permission requests, while Amazon defended its need for camera access for product scanning. Additionally, 16 of the tested apps attempted to display pop-up windows over other applications, indicating aggressive monitoring tactics. Users are advised to check app permissions, set them manually, deactivate background access, download official apps, and keep their devices updated to protect their privacy.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Amazon to issue refunds as Appstore closes on Android: What to know

Amazon is closing its Appstore for Android and the Coins program, effective August 20, 2025. Apps from the Appstore will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices after this date. Users will receive refunds for any remaining Amazon Coins following the shutdown. The Appstore will continue to function on Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices, and customers with active subscriptions can maintain their services or cancel for refunds. Amazon Coins became unavailable for purchase in February, and details regarding the refund process for remaining coins will be provided later.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

How To Password Protect Your Android Apps (And Why You Might Want To)

Google has introduced security features for Android devices to enhance user privacy, including the "Private Space" feature for password-protecting specific applications. To enable Private Space, users must navigate to Settings, then Security & Privacy, select Privacy, and find Private Space. Users can set a different password from their screen lock for added security and can choose various authentication methods. Apps can be transferred to Private Space by pressing and holding the app icon and selecting the option to install it there. The Private Space feature is available only for devices running Android 15 or newer. Users should check their Android version in Settings under About phone or About tablet. For added privacy, using a separate Google account for protected apps is recommended to reduce risks associated with account compromise.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Amazon to shut down Appstore for non-Amazon Android devices on August 20

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AppWizard

August 18, 2025

The Amazon Appstore shuts down on Androids Aug. 20. Will you get a refund?

Amazon is expanding its fresh food same-day delivery service to over 1,000 cities and towns in the United States, aiming to reach 2,300 locations by the end of the year. Additionally, Amazon will close its Appstore on Android on August 20, marking the end of its competition with the Google Play store. The app store had already been discontinued on Windows in 2024. Customers with remaining Amazon Coins will be eligible for refunds, and apps purchased through the Amazon Appstore may not function after the shutdown date. Amazon Coins were a digital currency for purchases within certain apps on the Appstore.

AppWizard

August 16, 2025

This excellent Samsung Good Lock feature should come to all Android phones

Samsung's One UI features the Display Assistant, which allows users to set individual screen timeout periods for specific apps, addressing issues like unwanted timeouts during ebook reading or downloads. It also includes a Quick Settings toggle to keep the screen on for 30 minutes and enables specific refresh rate adjustments for selected applications. Additionally, Display Assistant enhances adaptive brightness controls by allowing users to modify the speed of brightness adjustments and reset adaptive brightness patterns easily.

AppWizard

August 16, 2025

Lilbits: Desktop Linux apps on Android phones, Xbox PC gaming on ARM-based computers, and a cheaper Kindle color

Google has introduced an experimental Linux terminal application for Android users that allows the installation of Debian within a virtual machine, enabling command-line applications on Android devices. Users with Pixel 6 or later models running the latest canary builds of Android 16 can potentially enable graphical user interface (GUI) applications. An early preview of desktop Linux applications, including Chromium and GIMP, has been demonstrated on the Google Pixel 8 Pro using this new Terminal app. The Xbox PC app has added a feature for downloading games for local play on Windows 11 PCs with ARM-based processors, currently available to select members of the Windows Insider and Xbox Insider preview programs. HTC has launched Vive Eagle smart glasses in Taiwan, starting at 9, which include cameras, microphones, speakers, and AI features but lack a display. Amazon is reportedly developing a more affordable Kindle with a color display, featuring a 6-inch screen and improved color saturation.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

7 settings Windows 11 should show us during setup instead of all those ads

Setting up a Windows 11 PC can be challenging due to a lengthy installation process and a cluttered out-of-box experience (OOBE) filled with ads and irrelevant settings. Users often wait to access important settings until reaching the desktop. Key features that could improve the initial setup include: - Dark mode and theme options: Introducing theme choices during setup could enhance user satisfaction. - Taskbar alignment: Offering the option to align taskbar icons during setup would allow users to customize their experience from the start. - Start menu layout: Allowing users to choose their preferred Start menu layout during setup would facilitate a smoother transition. - Night light: Enabling the night light feature during setup could improve user comfort and awareness. - Nearby sharing: Including an option to enable discoverability for nearby sharing during setup would encourage its adoption. - Clipboard history: Presenting the option to enable clipboard history during setup would elevate user awareness of this useful feature. - Partially restore backups: Introducing a selective restoration option during setup would enhance user control over what is restored from a previous PC. Overall, incorporating these features into the initial setup could streamline the process and improve user engagement and satisfaction.