app discovery Archives

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Google Play Store update makes finding apps built for XR headsets way simpler

Google is enhancing the Play Store with a significant upgrade for mixed reality headset owners, introducing an “XR headset” chip that will display headset-specific screenshots, reviews, and app details. A dedicated XR section has been added within the Apps and Games tabs to streamline the discovery of mixed-reality and virtual reality applications. This update coincides with the anticipated launch of devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR headset. Google aims to ensure Android apps work seamlessly across the XR landscape, collaborating with platforms like Valve’s Steam Frame VR to support Android applications. The revamped Play Store layout will help users easily identify applications optimized for immersive experiences, providing a more streamlined preview experience and intuitive browsing for spatial environments. This proactive approach positions Android for a vibrant ecosystem as XR hardware gains traction in the mainstream market.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Google Play enhances search with new ‘Where to watch’ streaming feature

Google Play is introducing a feature that allows users to find where to watch movies and TV shows by searching for a title in the Search tab. This feature presents a "Where to watch" card that lists various apps where the content is available for streaming, renting, or purchasing. It includes install prompts for apps not already on the user's device but does not provide rental prices, purchase costs, subscription fees, IMDb ratings, or direct YouTube links. The feature is currently rolling out and may not be immediately available to all users.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Google’s AI-Powered Gemini Updates Are Changing Android Forever

Google has rolled out updates for Android devices that enhance applications like Google Maps, Android Auto, Google Messages, and the Play Store using its AI system, Gemini. These updates aim to improve user experience by providing real-time assistance and seamless interactivity. Key features include: - Google Maps: Users can ask about specific location details directly within the app, enhancing convenience and safety while driving. - Android Auto: Allows natural language interaction with the vehicle's infotainment system, making tasks like adjusting routes simpler and less distracting. - Google Messages: Offers insights on shared links without needing to open them, improving communication and online security. - Play Store: Facilitates app discovery by allowing users to ask detailed questions about apps, ensuring informed decisions before downloading. The updates prioritize safety and user-friendliness, promoting efficient interactions and a cohesive ecosystem across Android devices.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

This upcoming Google Play Store change could make app reviews actually useful

User reviews are essential for assessing app quality, but the Google Play Store lacks a comprehensive search tool for tailored reviews. Current filtering options include score, date, and specific topics, but users must sift through many reviews to find relevant insights. Recent findings from version 48.7.17-31 of the Google Play Store suggest that Google is developing a "Search reviews" feature, with a variable indicating a potential search bar for the reviews section, although it is not yet functional. This indicates efforts to improve user access to relevant feedback, potentially streamlining the review-searching process.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

What is your favorite Android app you discovered in 2025?

The Android app ecosystem offers a wide range of applications for various digital needs, including identifying bird calls, managing household chores, and providing real-time hurricane updates. In 2025, notable apps include Octopi Launcher, which is designed for foldable and multi-screen devices and features a tile mode, intelligent widget stacking, and a tagging system. LocalSend simplifies file transfers across multiple devices, proving efficient and user-friendly. Banana Browser enhances the mobile video viewing experience with its built-in media player and user-friendly interface, making it a strong alternative to Chrome.

Winsage

October 26, 2025

I used older Windows versions, and I think nostalgia has blinded us

Windows XP was the first operating system for many users in the early 2000s but had limitations like cumbersome multitasking and limited customization options. Windows Vista introduced enhanced customization and a search bar but faced criticism for intrusive User Account Control and performance issues. Windows 7 improved user experience and performance but still lacked features like a customizable Start menu and virtual desktops. Windows 8.1 was criticized for its chaotic interface that disrupted desktop users' workflows, despite introducing app snapping and an improved File Explorer. Windows 10 incorporated effective multitasking and a customizable Start menu but received criticism for its bland aesthetics. Windows 11 brought advancements in multitasking and built-in app functionality, along with enhanced security features, but faced challenges like upselling during setup and some users finding unnecessary features.

BetaBeacon

September 25, 2025

Google’s New Gaming Upgrade Wants You to Stop Losing

Gemini Live is a feature designed to assist gamers in real time by offering tips, guidance, and answers to in-game questions without leaving the game.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

Google just gave you two new ways to find the right apps on the Play Store

Google has introduced enhancements to the app discovery experience in the Google Play Store, featuring "spaces" and a new "Guided Search" function. The spaces feature will be positioned at the top of the Apps tab, offering curated collections based on specific themes, and is expanding globally after initial tests in India and Japan. In Korea, an entertainment space will showcase various media, while U.S. users can access trending TV shows and movies from platforms like HBO Max and Peacock, as well as free web comic samples. Guided Search allows users to input broader queries to find apps, presenting results with enhanced visibility and categorized listings, marked with an “Organized with AI” label. Both features are rolling out gradually across devices.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Struggling to find the right app for the job? Google Play’s new tool has some ideas for you

The Google Play Store is rolling out an AI-powered app explorer to select users in the United States, utilizing Google's Gemini technology. This feature appears at the top of the search tab with a prompt for users to specify what they are looking for and provides tailored categories for app discovery. Upon selecting a category, users are directed to a search results page that includes an “Organized with AI” section, showcasing curated lists of related apps. The feature was first reported by a Telegram user and has been confirmed on various US devices, indicating its rollout is underway.

Winsage

September 10, 2025

Publishing Apps to the Microsoft Store is Now Free for All Developers

Microsoft has announced that developers worldwide can now publish their applications on the Microsoft Store without any registration fees. This change, which removes credit card requirements to start the app publishing process, aims to create a more inclusive platform for developers. The Microsoft Store has over 250 million monthly active users, offers easy app discovery through Windows Search, allows seamless app delivery via Microsoft Intune, and permits developers to use their own update mechanisms. Developers can also retain 100% of the revenue from in-app purchases if they implement their own payment systems.