Android Experience Archives

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

Nothing Phone 3a is finally getting this missing Android 15 privacy feature

The Nothing Phone 3a is set to receive an update that includes support for 4K video, camera enhancements, and a hotspot manager. A key feature being introduced is Privacy Space, which allows users to create a secure profile to conceal apps from scrutiny. Users can access Privacy Space by swiping right in the app drawer and can set distinct passwords for it and the App Locker. This feature was hinted at in March during an APK teardown of the Nothing Launcher.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Huge collection of Final Fantasy classics, Mana series, more

Switch 2 pre-orders are set to launch soon in the U.S. There are significant discounts on various products, including Hisense’s 2025 frame-style Canvas Google TV, Samsung’s silver Galaxy Watch FE, Kindle Colorsoft, and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 2. Additionally, there are app deals featuring classic Final Fantasy titles and the Mana series games.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Google releases new Android System updates with battery life improvements

Google Play services v25.13 introduces updates to improve battery life and connectivity across various Android devices, including Android Auto, PCs, phones, TVs, and Wear OS devices. Google Wallet now allows users to add nicknames to their passes. The Android System Intelligence v.23 update includes logging for Adaptive Sound and code optimization for Smart Dictation. The Google Play Store will implement verified badges for select VPN applications to enhance user trust and safety.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

Android 16 has a new trick to speed up app installation

Android 16 introduces a feature called cloud compilation, which enhances app installation speed by shifting the compilation process from the device to the cloud. This feature allows application artifacts to be loaded directly from files downloaded via the Google Play Store, rather than being generated on the device. It is particularly beneficial for low-end devices that struggle with processing power or storage speed. The Android Runtime (ART) uses a tool called dex2oat to convert APK’s .dex files into application artifacts, which include .vdex, .odex, and .art files. Cloud compilation retrieves these artifacts from a new format called Secure Dex Metadata (SDM), ensuring application integrity while expediting installation. However, the feature is not yet operational as Google needs to configure the Play Store to generate these artifacts for use during installations.

BetaBeacon

March 13, 2025

Here’s why I’m getting the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 AND the Pocket Classic

Retroid has revealed pricing and availability for the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 and Pocket Classic. The Pocket Flip 2 will cost 9 with the Dimensity 1100 processor or 9 with the Snapdragon 865. The Pocket Classic will be priced at 9 for the 4GB+64GB model and 9 for the 6GB/128GB variant. Pre-orders will open on March 17 with discounts available. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 can emulate Xbox and PS3 games with the Snapdragon 865 processor, allowing users to switch between Android and Linux gaming.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

Google Play wants to help you discover more useful widgets for your home screen

Google Play is introducing enhancements to improve the visibility and accessibility of Android widgets, including: - A dedicated widget search filter to help users find apps that offer widgets. - Widget badges on app detail pages to indicate which apps feature widgets. - A curated editorial page showcasing standout widgets. These updates aim to make it easier for users to discover and utilize widgets, potentially increasing user engagement and encouraging developers to invest in widget development. The rollout of these features is expected to occur soon across Android devices.

AppWizard

February 26, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: MONOPOLY, Water Reminder, Runic Curse, more

A variety of Android game and app deals are available on Google Play, including significant price drops on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE models and the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is priced at when bundled with the S25 Ultra. Pixel Tablets start at . Notable app deals include MONOPOLY, Drink Water Reminder, and Runic Curse.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

The least used app on my Android phone is… the Google app?!

The Google app, launched over 15 years ago, enhances mobile search capabilities on Android devices and serves multiple essential functions, including powering the search widget, the Discover feed, Circle to Search, Google Lens, the Saved tab, and ad personalization options. A poll indicates that 34% of users utilize the app daily, 9% use it often, 16% rarely, and 41% never use it. Despite its perceived redundancy, the app is an uninstallable system app, crucial for maintaining various Android features and functionalities.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

The Apple TV app is finally available on Android with Apple TV Plus

The Apple TV app is now available on Android devices, allowing users to download it from the Google Play Store. Android users can subscribe to Apple TV Plus directly through the app using Google Play Billing, without needing an Apple device. The app is designed for devices running Android 10 or newer and provides access to Apple TV Plus and the MLS Season Pass, but not to purchased iTunes content. The app lacks features such as Google Cast functionality and access to Apple TV channels. Apple TV Plus is priced at .99 per month and includes shows like Severance and Ted Lasso, while the MLS Season Pass costs .99 per month or for the entire season. A seven-day free trial for Apple TV Plus is also available.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Android 16 may let users rebind physical app and system keyboard shortcuts

Google is enhancing the keyboard experience for larger devices with the latest beta version of Android 16, which introduces a feature for customizing keyboard shortcuts. The code for this feature was found under the tag "Customize Keyboard Shortcut." Last year, Google introduced a physical keyboard toolbar for shortcuts, benefiting users with USB-C or Bluetooth keyboards, and allowing customization of app shortcuts and system action keys. The toolbar also provided access to translation tools and clipboard functions. Additionally, updates were made for larger devices using physical keyboards, particularly for Workspace applications like Gmail and Chat. Android 16 Beta 1 was released to Pixel testers in mid-January, with a projected launch for Android 16 in Q2 2025.