Android Archives

BetaBeacon

September 3, 2026

Building Tetris on Android With One Prompt and No Laptop

An AI coding agent called Gotcha can generate games and tools on Android phones by writing real code and running a local server. It can create games like Tetris and a 3D Angry Birds clone with features such as touch controls, score displays, and sound effects. Gotcha can also fix bugs in the game logic based on vague feedback. The autonomy and local capabilities of Gotcha make it a unique tool for developers, allowing for quick iteration and precise bug reporting.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Android Auto may finally have a solution for weather info on smaller screens: Jimothy, the raccoon

The latest Android Auto beta, version 17.6.66, introduces a new weather experience featuring an animated raccoon named Jimothy, who will appear on the music player interface with a bubble displaying current weather conditions. The weather visuals will change based on the user's location, showing elements like rain, clouds, or sunshine. To access this feature, users must go to Settings > Theme and switch modes or activate Android Auto. There are concerns about Jimothy's visibility during critical weather alerts due to its small size. Additionally, Google is working on a new green icon for the Android Auto app, suggesting further visual enhancements.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Sept. 2026 Android Drop: Find Hub ‘Remembered’ list, Motion Assist, & Keep in Google Messages

Google's September 2026 Android Drop introduces several new features: - The Find Hub and Gemini applications have been upgraded to allow users to track items without traditional tracker tags using voice commands. A "Remembered" tab stores the locations of items, and this feature is available for devices running Android 16 and above. - Motion Assist is a new feature for Android 17+ that helps reduce motion sickness by using a bubble overlay that moves with the vehicle's motion. Users can customize the bubble's appearance, and it can activate automatically when movement is detected. - Gemini Live now includes Guided Vision, which provides verbal descriptions of surroundings, assisting with tasks like reading labels or locating items. This feature will be available for devices running Android 9 and above in regions where Gemini is accessible. - Google Messages is integrating with Google Keep, allowing users to share and update lists directly in chats. This integration includes a "Create list" suggestion and will enhance communication within the messaging platform.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Latest Android Drop connects Gemini to Find Hub, adds Keep Notes and themes to Messages

Google's latest Android feature Drop introduces enhancements aimed at improving user experience, including aesthetic and functional improvements to messaging threads and the rollout of Motion Assist dots. A key feature is the expanded functionality of Gemini for Android 16 or higher, allowing users to log locations of items without tracker tags and store this information in Find Hub. Another addition is the Guided Vision feature within Gemini Live, which aids accessibility by helping users locate objects in the camera's view and extracting difficult-to-read information, such as text in low-light conditions. Guided Vision can be accessed through system Accessibility shortcuts and the TalkBack menu, compatible with Android devices starting from Android 9 Pie.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Google Maps for Android Auto could soon offer new colors that won’t burn your retinas

Google is enhancing Android Auto with updates, including a new icon and revamped Google Maps interface. The beta version 17.6.663424 introduces a new weather animation and support for Quick Settings tiles. A significant change is the testing of a darker map surface and a dark-gray turn indicator for Google Maps, aimed at reducing distraction on larger screens and improving nighttime visibility. This darker color scheme does not appear on connected Android phones, indicating it may be exclusive to Android Auto. Google frequently conducts A/B tests, and the current situation may be a test or a glitch in the beta version. An APK teardown can predict potential future features, but not all may be included in public releases.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Android Auto Will Show Weather Information in a Funny but Unusual Way

Google has introduced an animated raccoon named Jimothy in Android Auto version 17.6 to display weather information. Jimothy will present the current temperature in a playful manner, moving across the screen over the music card in the Coolwalk interface. The character's size has raised concerns about visibility and readability for drivers. Initially, weather information was only available on portrait screens, and Google plans to extend this functionality to landscape displays. Weather updates were previously shown in the status bar, and this new approach is still in the experimental phase.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Android stuck in Safe Mode? Here’s how to turn it off

Safe Mode on Android disables all third-party applications and engages Airplane Mode to help troubleshoot device issues. It can be activated by holding down the Power Off button and selecting the Safe Mode option, which may lead to unintentional activation. To disable Safe Mode, users can either restart the device or tap the notification in the Notification Menu indicating Safe Mode is active. After exiting Safe Mode, Airplane Mode may remain active, which can be turned off through the Quick Settings menu. Google Play Protect also provides additional security measures that may cause user frustration.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Pixel 11 notifications are the last straw for many readers sick of phone ads

Google has reintroduced the My Pixel app, previously known as Pixel Tips, with the Pixel 11 series, which has started sending unsolicited push notifications to users of older Pixel devices about the latest smartphones and the Pixel Watch 5. A poll showed that 93.9% of 9,600 respondents believe smartphone ads have become intolerable. Users find the notifications from the Pixel Tips app particularly annoying due to their invasive delivery method, which differs from traditional ads. There are tools available, such as NextDNS and Blokada, to manage unwanted ads.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Here’s how Googlebooks will stop random files from clogging your desktop

Device Intelligence is a new suite of features for Android-powered laptops that utilizes artificial intelligence to improve user experience. It includes an automatic file sorting capability that organizes documents into topic-based folders, which is initially off by default. Users can activate this feature, which comes with a pop-up description regarding its purpose and privacy. A desktop widget will also be available for easy access to organized collections. Additionally, Device Intelligence integrates with Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM), allowing users to add local files to their notebooks and share files directly from Google Photos. There is a file size limit of 200MB for shared documents. The insights are based on an APK teardown, and not all features may be included in the final release.

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

This Googlebook app just leaked in its entirety, and you can already try it on your phone

Google has unveiled a new app called "Look up," designed to enhance user interaction with its upcoming Googlebook platform. The app allows users to query any word, sentence, or paragraph using Google’s services, including Search, Maps, and Flights. Users can highlight text and select the Look up option from the context menu, or access it through a three-dot button on smaller devices. The app features a chatbot-like interface that encourages users to ask further questions. Although it was briefly available on the Play Store, it has since been removed, but users can sideload the APK from APKMirror. Users can manage the app’s settings through their device's settings menu. The Look up app is expected to accompany the launch of Googlebook laptops this fall.