app features Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Best VPN for Android 2025: NordVPN Voted Best of VPNs for Android

NordVPN has been recognized as the Best VPN for Android in 2025, continuing its commitment to trusted VPN services since launching its Android app in 2016. The user interface has been redesigned for a streamlined experience, featuring a clean, map-based home screen and easy server access. It has received praise for exceptional speed on Android devices, attributed to its NordLynx protocol, and boasts over 7,000 servers in more than 100 countries for reliable internet access. NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy to protect user privacy and includes advanced security features like Threat Protection Lite. The app is optimized for battery efficiency and offers robust customer support, including 24/7 live chat. NordVPN's competitive pricing plans and various payment methods enhance its accessibility.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Pixelify Your Android Smartphone with This Wallpaper App

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

May 9, 2025

You can now verify if your Mullvad VPN app is legit

Mullvad has introduced reproducible builds for its Android VPN application starting with version 2025.2, allowing users to confirm the legitimacy of the app before installation. Reproducible builds ensure that identical copies of the application can be recreated from the same source code, build environment, and instructions, providing assurance against unauthorized modifications. This decision follows a rise in malicious free VPN applications and malware distribution through counterfeit software. Currently, only the latest version of Mullvad's Android VPN app features this capability, with no confirmed plans for other platforms. Mullvad encourages technically skilled users to verify the builds and has provided instructions for the verification process.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Zomato on Android: Discover the most useful features

Zomato's Android app features an intuitive interface for browsing restaurant menus, allowing users to easily select items and add them to their cart. The checkout process supports various payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets, ensuring a quick and tailored experience. Additionally, the app provides real-time order tracking, offering updates on the status of orders from the kitchen to the customer's doorstep.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Help Your Government, Become USPS Beta Tester

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is seeking Android users to participate in a beta testing program for the Informed Delivery app. Interested users can request access by logging into their Google account and following a provided link. Approved participants will receive a link to download the app from Google Play. The app offers features such as package tracking and a preview of daily mail. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on any issues encountered during the trial period to assist in the app's development.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Meta launches a standalone AI app to compete with ChatGPT

Meta has launched a stand-alone AI application at the LlamaCon event, designed to integrate with its platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. The app utilizes user data from these platforms to offer personalized interactions, allowing it to tailor responses based on individual user preferences. Currently, it is available in the U.S. and Canada and enables users to share personal information to enhance future conversations. The app also includes a Discover feed for users to share their AI experiences with friends, while maintaining control over what is shared. Users are advised to be cautious about how their data may be used, as Meta relies on user data for its advertising revenue.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2025

Xbox game purchases are finally coming to Microsoft’s Android app

Microsoft has expanded the features of its Xbox mobile app to allow users to purchase Xbox games, DLC, and sign up for Game Pass on both Android and iOS. Additionally, users can now stream games they own on their Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles without needing to install the software locally. Xbox remote play is also moving from the Xbox app to Microsoft's website to optimize streaming performance.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Razer’s new app offers yet another way to play PC games on your phone

Razer PC Remote Play is currently in beta within the Razer Cortex application and serves as a remote access solution for gaming, allowing users to stream their entire PC display or specific games. It is compatible with Razer’s Kishi series of mobile controllers and optimizes bandwidth usage by adjusting to the phone's resolution and refresh rate. However, users must be on the same local network as the host PC to connect, and attempts to connect over a mobile network may fail. Alternative solutions like Steam’s streaming service and Nvidia’s GeForce Now are available for remote gaming access. The app is noted for being stable among dedicated driver programs for gaming accessories but may not meet user experience expectations. Users not interested in Razer’s mobile controllers may want to explore other options before using Razer PC Remote Play.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Pixel Weather is my favorite weather app; there’s just one problem with it

Google's Pixel Weather app was launched alongside the Pixel 9 series and is noted for its user-friendly design and comprehensive data offerings. It provides hourly and 10-day forecasts, sunrise and sunset times, humidity levels, visibility, air quality, and UV index, all presented in an easily digestible format. The app features an AI Weather Report for quick summaries and has a visually engaging design with bold temperature displays and animated backgrounds. Customization options allow users to rearrange tiles and widgets according to their preferences. Currently, Pixel Weather is exclusive to Pixel devices, limiting its accessibility compared to other essential apps available to all Android users. There is a suggestion for Google to make Pixel Weather available on the Play Store for all Android devices, potentially retaining some exclusive features for Pixel users.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

No, you’re not going crazy: One of the best Pixel Weather app features is now missing

Google has removed the Weather Map feature from its Pixel Weather app across all Pixel devices through a server-side adjustment. The Weather Map, introduced in August 2024, provided a radar map experience with a six-hour precipitation forecast and cloud movement tracking. Users can no longer find the Weather Map in city views or locations, even during rainfall. Other features of the app, such as the AI Weather Report, Hourly Forecast, 10-day Forecast, and Wind and Precipitation Data, remain unchanged.