Android smartphone Archives

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Japan orders Google to stop pre-installing Chrome and its other apps on Android smartphones – The Times of India

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against Google for violating Japan's anti-monopoly law by requiring Android smartphone manufacturers to preinstall its applications, which restricted competing search engine applications. Google incentivized manufacturers financially to designate Chrome as the default browser and not to preinstall rival search applications. The order mandates that Google stop these practices, prohibits the requirement for preinstallation of its apps, and requires the company to create compliance guidelines and appoint an independent third party to oversee adherence for five years. Google had agreements with six manufacturers representing about 80% of Android smartphones in Japan. The investigation began in 2023, reflecting a trend of increased scrutiny of big tech firms globally.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

Driving just isn’t the same without these 6 underrated Android Auto apps

Android Auto allows users to connect their Android smartphones for access to music, information, and navigation tools while driving. Several lesser-known apps can enhance the driving experience: - Musicolet: An offline music player that supports podcasts and audiobooks, featuring a clean interface and customization options. - Weather & Radar: Provides real-time weather updates, including live radar data for rain, wind, and temperature. - OsmAnd: A navigation app using OpenStreetMap data, offering detailed information for rural areas and customizable map styles. - RadioTime: Accesses a wide range of global radio stations, with an easy-to-use interface for Android Auto. - Fuelio: Helps locate fuel stations with real-time pricing and tracks refueling history, vehicle mileage, and expenses. - Podcast Republic: A podcast app that allows easy browsing of downloaded content and discovering new podcasts.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

How to change to a vertical scrolling app drawer on One UI 7

Samsung has introduced a vertical scrolling app drawer in One UI 7, responding to user demand. This update is available for the Galaxy S25 series and for users who upgrade to One UI 7. The rollout for older devices has faced delays, with beta versions currently available for Galaxy S24 owners and a final build expected in early April. New features in One UI 7 include the Now Bar, which provides real-time updates, and Now Brief, offering personalized briefings. Other features include cross-app action, audio eraser, auto trim, and AI drawing assist. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a larger display, improved ultrawide camera, and lighter design compared to its predecessor.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

I use Apollo and Artemis to stream PC games to my phone

Apollo and Artemis are server and client applications designed for streaming visuals from a gaming PC to a smartphone while allowing input from the smartphone. Apollo is installed on the gaming PC and includes a virtual display feature, while Artemis is installed on the smartphone. Both applications are forks of Sunshine and Moonlight, with Apollo offering automatic adjustments for resolution, refresh rate, and aspect ratio. To set up Apollo, users must download and install the Apollo.exe file on a Windows machine, create a password, and access the web UI. For Artemis, users download the APK file, connect to the same WLAN as the Apollo server, and enter a pin displayed on the smartphone into the Apollo web UI. The setup is currently limited to Windows PCs and Android smartphones, and while it can work with Moonlight, the developer plans to move away from Sunshine and Moonlight in the future.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Apple Is Ready to Play Nice With Android, Launching a New Apple TV App for Mobile

Android users can now access the Apple TV+ app on Google Play, allowing them to stream shows like Severance and Silo. Previously, Apple TV+ was available on various television operating systems and gaming consoles, but not on Android devices. The subscription for Apple TV+ is priced at .99 per month, while the MLS Season Pass is available for .99 per month. The app features a "Continue Watching" section and allows downloads for offline viewing, although Google Cast will not be available at launch. Apple has streamlined the subscription process for the app on Google TV. Additionally, Apple is in the third season of its partnership with Major League Soccer, with the next season starting on February 22, offering all games through the MLS Season Pass without regional blackouts.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

A Dedicated Apple TV+ App Could Arrive For Google’s Android Platform In A Bid To Increase Subscriber Count And Compete With Other Rivals

Apple TV+ is launching a dedicated app for Android users, marking a significant expansion beyond its primary focus on Apple device owners. The app is expected to be available soon, potentially increasing Apple's subscriber base by providing access to exclusive content for millions of Android users. This move comes as Apple invests heavily in original content, with production costs exceeding billion and some shows costing around million per episode. The standard pricing for Apple TV+ is .99 per month, and there is speculation about a potential free trial. In Q1 2025, Apple reported total revenue of .3 billion, with the Services sector contributing .34 billion, indicating growth from the previous year.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

Essential apps for hardcore Android users [Video]

Seal is a minimalist downloader app for Android that allows users to download videos from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram in various formats and qualities. Zerocam is a camera replacement app that focuses on a natural photographic experience without excessive image processing, offering a free version with a limit of five photos per day and a subscription for additional features. Openvibe aggregates multiple social media platforms into one app, allowing users to post to Bluesky, Threads, Nostr, and Mastodon simultaneously. Twine is an RSS app that consolidates favorite feeds into one location and allows users to import collections via OPML files. AI Screenshot Finder helps users search and categorize their screenshots, processing data locally while leveraging cloud AI systems. Crate organizes links, recipes, and videos into custom sections and uses AI to assist in finding saved content. Sponge gamifies file management, allowing users to swipe to delete or tag files, organized by the month they were saved. Tooly is a versatile toolbox app that includes various tools for unit conversions and text formatting.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

Japan to order Google to make these changes on its search app on Android smartphones

Japan's Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is set to find Google in violation of the nation's competition laws, marking its first order against a major US technology firm. The JFTC plans to issue a cease-and-desist order requiring Google to stop monopolistic practices in the internet search sector, specifically related to agreements with Android smartphone manufacturers that mandate the installation of its search and Chrome browser applications to access app stores. This ruling is part of a broader trend, as Google is also facing scrutiny in other markets, including a recent argument from the US Department of Justice for drastic measures against the company. The JFTC has informed Google of its intended actions and will finalize its decision after considering the company's response. Google has not publicly commented on the situation.

AppWizard

December 15, 2024

Windows warns Phone Link won’t show ‘sensitive’ Android 15 notifications

Microsoft's Phone Link application has warned Android smartphone users on the latest Android 15 version that certain "sensitive" notifications, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, will not be displayed on connected PCs due to a new privacy feature in Android 15. This feature restricts third-party applications from accessing sensitive notifications. Users with Samsung devices running One UI 6.1.1 can still view these notifications if the device has requested a "Companion Device Role," but this does not apply to other Android models like Google Pixel or Nothing Phones. A suggested workaround involves disabling the “Enhanced Notifications” option in Android 15’s settings, but this may expose users to risks from malicious applications.

AppWizard

November 25, 2024

Android to get protection from suspicious Apps

The Google Play digital store is enhancing its defenses against harmful applications with a new algorithm that scrutinizes apps before downloads. This system will alert users about apps with few ratings, negative reviews, or low usage rates. Additionally, warnings will be issued if a developer's information is obscured or if an app requests excessive user data. These features aim to improve user awareness and safety. Furthermore, the Android operating system has introduced a seamless data transfer feature that allows users to set up new devices without re-entering passwords for various applications and services.