app behavior

Tech Optimizer
December 25, 2025
The Android banking trojan Sturnus has emerged as a significant cybersecurity threat, capable of taking control of a device's screen, stealing banking credentials, and accessing encrypted communications from trusted applications. It operates stealthily, capturing decrypted messages without breaking encryption. To protect against Sturnus, users should employ robust antivirus software, be vigilant with app prompts, and exercise caution with links and attachments, as malware is often spread through these channels. Attackers can remotely control devices to execute financial transactions without user knowledge.
AppWizard
November 16, 2025
Google is implementing measures to enhance battery performance on Android devices by monitoring apps in the Google Play Store for high background activity and excessive battery drain. Applications that exceed a defined "bad behavior threshold" may be flagged, affecting their visibility. Developers must adapt their apps to a new metric called "excessive partial wake locks" by March 1, 2026. This metric tracks the duration apps maintain background activity while the screen is off and will measure non-exempt wake locks over a 28-day period. An app is considered excessive if it accumulates over two hours of non-exempt wake locks in a 24-hour period, with the threshold set at 5% of user sessions. Developers exceeding this threshold will be notified. The initiative aims to improve user experience by addressing excessive resource consumption, though it is not specifically targeting malware.
AppWizard
November 12, 2025
Google will introduce a proactive alert system for Android by March 2026 to identify battery-draining applications. This system will flag apps that maintain more than two hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period across at least 5 percent of user sessions over 28 days. Users will receive warnings about problematic apps, which will also display red battery alerts in the Google Play Store. Developers of poorly optimized apps may face reduced visibility in the Play Store. Google collaborated with Samsung to enhance the system's accuracy, ensuring legitimate background processes are not flagged. This initiative aims to empower users and encourage developers to optimize their applications for better battery performance.
AppWizard
November 11, 2025
Google has introduced a new beta vitals metric for Android app developers that labels battery-draining applications in the Google Play Store. This metric, called "excessive partial wake locks," identifies apps that prevent smartphones from entering sleep mode, which can drain battery life. An app is considered to have excessive wake locks if it holds more than two cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period. An app crosses the bad behavior threshold when 5% of its user sessions over the past 28 days are deemed excessive. Developers will receive a warning in their Android vitals overview dashboard when this threshold is reached. Apps exceeding the threshold will display a warning label in the Play Store stating, "This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity," and may become less visible to users as Google restricts their eligibility for certain discovery sections within the Play Store.
AppWizard
November 11, 2025
Google is implementing a new metric called "excessive partial wake locks" to reduce battery drain on Android devices. This metric identifies user sessions as excessive if an app maintains non-exempt wake locks for over two cumulative hours within a 24-hour period. Apps exceeding a threshold of 5% excessive sessions over 28 days will face penalties starting March 1, 2026. Non-compliant apps may be excluded from prominent discovery surfaces in the Google Play Store and could display a warning label indicating high battery usage. The metric was co-developed with Samsung and is now available through the Android Vitals console for developers to access and make adjustments before the enforcement date.
AppWizard
November 11, 2025
Google has introduced a new system to identify apps that excessively drain battery life, featuring an "excessive partial wake locks" metric developed in collaboration with Samsung. Wake locks allow applications to keep a device awake for background tasks, but their misuse can lead to battery drain. The system, in beta testing since April 2025, flags a user session as "excessive" if it exceeds two hours of non-exempt wake locks in 24 hours. Poor app behavior is defined as occurring when five percent or more of an app's user sessions exceed this threshold. Apps that exceed this threshold may face consequences on the Play Store, including removal from recommendations and a warning message. The policy will be implemented starting 1 March 2026, with additional tools and documentation provided to help developers optimize their applications.
AppWizard
October 28, 2025
Users have been asked to identify the best Android app that has integrated into their daily lives in 2025, amidst a competitive landscape with hundreds of billions of global downloads. Key characteristics of standout apps include reliability, simplicity, and the ability to fill existing gaps without unnecessary complexities. Privacy is a major concern, with users encouraged to scrutinize app permissions and seek transparency in business models. Cross-device compatibility is increasingly important, especially with the rise of tablets and foldable devices. Notable apps mentioned include: - Octopi Launcher: Favored for its widget-rich interface and tag-based search. - LocalSend: Allows direct file transfers across local networks without accounts or cloud services. - Banana Browser: Known for its minimalist design and built-in media controls. - Niagara Launcher: Celebrated for its minimalist, one-handed design. - Organic Maps: Provides efficient offline navigation using OpenStreetMap. - RethinkDNS: Blocks trackers and enforces on-device firewall rules. - Obsidian: A note-taking app known for its vault-style organization and cross-device syncing. When choosing an app, users should assess transparency in the business model, data export options, and app permissions. Performance in real-world scenarios, such as offline functionality and multitasking, is also important. Users are encouraged to share their top app recommendations to help others enhance their Android experience.
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