Android Archives

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Worried about status bar clutter with Android Halo? Google may let you clean it up

In Android Canary 2607, Google is developing a new "Status bar" settings section that will allow users to manage the visibility of specific system and notification icons. Notable features include the ability to toggle off the Android Halo AI assistant icon and a new option to hide the mute icon, similar to the existing option for the vibration icon. The settings will include toggles for showing the assistant agent in the status bar and controlling mute icon visibility. The Android Halo icon will only be visible on devices that support the unannounced "Agent Task" feature, which is distinct from Gemini Intelligence. These features are still in development and not yet available to the public.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Proton VPN on Android: features, requirements, how to install

Proton VPN is a prominent VPN provider known for its speed and security, with its headquarters in Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws. The Android app features include Secure Core for enhanced anonymity, NetShield Ad-blocker to block ads and trackers, a kill switch to protect data during connection drops, alternative routing for bypassing restrictions, split tunneling for selective app usage, a VPN Accelerator for increased speeds, and P2P support for secure file sharing. The app requires Android 8 or later for installation, which can be done via the Play Store. Users can connect as guests to access limited features of Proton VPN Free.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Friday Android app deals and freebies: ScourgeBringer, Greak, Egg Journey, more

9to5Toys provides daily updates on technology and lifestyle deals. Stay connected by visiting the homepage regularly and following on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Start with the best Apple deals, listen to the daily podcast, and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more content.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Google Photos’ latest UI experiment has one job: getting CapCut on your phone

Google is exploring new sharing features in the Google Photos app, specifically in version 7.83.0.943371825, which includes an option to export media directly to CapCut, a video editing app by ByteDance. This feature appears in the export sheet when users select multiple photos or videos, allowing for direct editing in CapCut. If CapCut is not installed, users will be prompted to download it from the Play Store. The feature is currently in testing and not available to the general public, and modifications to the app’s package indicate ongoing experimentation by Google. An APK teardown has revealed these features, but not all may be included in the final public release.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Google is working on a new ‘memories games’ feature for Google Photos

Google Photos is working on a new feature called "Memories Games" that will create games based on the people, places, and things in your photos and memories.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Study of 281 Free Android VPN Apps Finds Traffic Leaks, Unencrypted Data, and Tracking

Researchers analyzed 281 popular free VPN applications on the Google Play Store and found significant privacy and security shortcomings. The study, conducted by teams from the University of Michigan, the University of New Mexico, and IIT Delhi using a framework called MVPNalyzer, revealed that flagged apps had over 2.4 billion downloads. Key findings included: - Five apps transmitted configuration files unencrypted, allowing attackers to intercept and modify them. - 29 apps allowed user traffic to leak outside the encrypted tunnel, with 24 leaking DNS traffic and six leaking full browsing traffic. - 169 apps made no effort to disguise their traffic, making it identifiable to network operators or government censors. - 76 apps transmitted the device's Advertising ID to advertisers, and over 80% contacted known advertising and tracking servers. - Only one of 108 OpenVPN configurations adhered to recommended security practices; 89% used a single authentication method, and nearly 20% employed outdated encryption techniques. - Many apps passed through Play Store checks without adequate scrutiny, with safety labels often serving as marketing tools rather than security indicators. These findings align with previous research highlighting similar issues in popular Android VPN apps. Users are advised to be cautious when selecting VPNs, prioritizing those with recent independent security audits.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

You can’t fully disable Microsoft’s GDID Windows 11 tracker, but these settings limit what it captures

A 19-year-old named Peter Stokes was detained at Helsinki airport in April 2026 while traveling to Japan, carrying two 2TB hard drives. He was subject to an Interpol Red Notice and faced a federal complaint from U.S. prosecutors by July for his alleged involvement in the Scattered Spider hacking group, which breached a U.S. luxury jewelry retailer in May 2025, leading to a ransom demand. The Global Device Identifier (GDID), developed by Microsoft, is a persistent identifier that uniquely identifies a Windows installation on a device. It links online activities back to a single identity, which law enforcement can use to trace a device's owner. The GDID is generated when a user signs into Windows with a Microsoft Account and remains through updates but does not survive a clean reinstall. Stokes' use of the same Windows device allowed investigators to trace his activities through the GDID, which linked him to the hacking incident. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the lack of consent for GDID assignment and the potential for surveillance.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Beloved Racing Title Now on Mobile

Golden Lap is a popular racing game that has now been released on Android and iOS devices. Players take on the role of a team boss and make strategic decisions similar to those in F1 racing. The game features driver selection, car customization, and sponsorship deals, with a focus on strategic gameplay. Players can fine-tune their cars and select tires before races. The game offers a deep and immersive gaming experience with a variety of stats to keep track of. The full game can be unlocked through a single in-app purchase for a limited-time offer of .99.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

ARC Raiders: All Android Locations on Stella Montis

Androids are spread throughout Stella Montis in ARC Raiders, with MetaforgeAndroids located on both the upper and lower floors. Players need three stars and 3000 points to complete the trial, with each Android search yielding 400 points. Stella Montis is the guaranteed map to complete this trial, as it is a major ARC research facility filled with Androids. Players should be prepared with weapons to deal with other enemies present in the area.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Nintendo’s iOS and Android racer Mario Kart Tour will shut down later this year, with no offline mode planned

Mario Kart Tour will shut down on September 29, and Nintendo has confirmed that an offline mode is not planned for release.