Android smartphone

AppWizard
June 18, 2025
North American and European owners of the Lucid Air can now connect their Android smartphones to their vehicles as of June 16, 2025, through an over-the-air update to Lucid OS 2.7.0. This update enables access to Android Auto, allowing users to utilize their preferred smartphone applications for maps, media, and messaging on the Lucid Air's 34-inch Glass Cockpit, either via USB or wirelessly. To use Android Auto, owners need an Android phone running version 9.0 or higher, an active data plan, and a compatible USB cable, with wireless connection available for Android 11 or higher. Compatibility for Lucid Gravity owners is expected soon.
Winsage
June 10, 2025
Microsoft is testing a new feature in the Phone Link app for Windows 11 that allows users to mirror their Android smartphone screens onto their Windows desktops with a single click. This feature is currently being tested with a select group of users and is integrated within the Phone Link panel in the Start menu. It works particularly well with Samsung Galaxy smartphones and is compatible with specific Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy models, Asus (ROG-branded), Honor, OnePlus, Oppo, Surface Duo, Vivo, and Xiaomi. The rollout is expected to coincide with a cumulative update for Windows 11 on June 10, although initial availability may be limited. The Phone Link panel began rolling out in April for Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 24H2, with wider access becoming available in May.
BetaBeacon
May 28, 2025
Chinese manufacturers are developing Windows emulators for Android gaming, with RedMagic set to launch a gaming-focused Android smartphone with a pre-installed Windows emulator for playing PC games. Xiaomi is also developing a Windows-to-Android emulator called WinPlay Engine, which supports Steam and minimizes GPU performance loss. These emulators could potentially compete with WinLator and support controllers, mice, and keyboards for gameplay.
AppWizard
May 22, 2025
Google is set to launch the Gemini update for Android Auto, enhancing hands-free functionality for drivers. The update will feature different experiences based on vehicle compatibility, with around 250 million cars supporting Android Auto and about 50 models equipped with Google built-in. Gemini allows for voice control independent of an Android smartphone, enabling tasks like adjusting climate settings through natural language commands. Vehicles with Google built-in will have access to the Google Play Store and integrated car manuals. Gemini will also include offline capabilities and streamline trip planning via voice commands. Most features will be available across all vehicles with Android Auto, with a rollout expected in the coming months. The pre-release version showed improved reliability over the previous Google Assistant.
AppWizard
May 17, 2025
Doodle is a Java-based open-source wallpaper application developed by Patrick Zedler, featuring the original Doodle wallpaper collection from the Pixel 4 and unreleased Material You static wallpapers from the Pixel 6. The app allows users to explore wallpapers organized into three categories, select variants, add accent colors, set daily random wallpapers, and toggle night mode. Doodle includes three live wallpapers with interactive features like "Swipe" and "Tilt" effects. Users can customize live wallpaper animations and app color themes through various settings. During testing on a Samsung smartphone with Android 14, some features like the "Swipe" effect and Accent Colors were non-functional due to compatibility issues with the default launcher. The app's live wallpaper occasionally malfunctioned during the lock/unlock process, and transitioning between light and dark modes required relaunching the app. The source code is available on GitHub under GPLv3 licensing, and the app can be downloaded from F-Droid and the Play Store.
AppWizard
April 16, 2025
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
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
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
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.
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