app features Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

KING VPN Announces Updated Android VPN App for Mobile Users in Russia and Other Regions

TechDigitalLabs has released KING VPN (Fast & Secure), an Android application available on Google Play that allows users to connect to various VPN servers for enhanced online privacy and security. The app features a user-friendly interface, supports connections via Wi-Fi and mobile data, and offers server locations in multiple countries including Russia, the United States, and Germany. KING VPN has over 50,000 downloads and does not share user data with third parties, ensuring data encryption during transmission. The app is free to download but includes advertisements and in-app purchases. Users can access it through a specific Google Play link.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Look at how they massacred my boy: Google is killing these Fitbit app features

Google has launched the Google Health app, rebranding the existing Fitbit application, but it will phase out several features that longtime Fitbit users relied on. The badge system will be completely removed, and users will lose unique usernames, profile pictures, direct messaging, and community feeds. Child profiles will no longer allow adding friends, and the weekly leaderboard will only focus on steps and cardio load. In health and wellness, minute-by-minute stress check graphs will no longer be available, and detailed skin temperature data will be replaced with daily and weekly trends. Users cannot set calorie targets through food plans anymore, although they can set macronutrient goals. Recipes for Google Health Premium users will also be discontinued, and daily fitness plans will shift to weekly ones. Sleep features will be reduced, with the discontinuation of sleep profiles, monthly sleep animals, and the Estimated Oxygen Variation (EOV) feature. Premium subscribers will now use the Health Coach for personalized sleep responses, and snore detection on certain devices will be eliminated. The app will maintain compatibility with Health Connect and Apple Health but will no longer support connections to Lifescan devices, affecting users who monitor blood glucose levels. Users can log glucose data manually, but reminders and symptom tracking will be removed.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Google Health will leave behind some classic Fitbit app features: Here’s all of them

Google is transitioning the Fitbit app to the Google Health platform, resulting in the removal of features such as Sleep Profile, badges, and social interactions like groups and messaging. New metrics will include Resilience and weekly cardio targets, replacing traditional stress scores and daily goals. The Google Health app will allow users to monitor oxygen saturation levels through SpO2 data, while Estimated Oxygen Variation (EOV) levels will be retired. The cardio fitness core will shift to a standard VO2 max measurement, and minute-by-minute skin temperature data will be replaced with daily and weekly trends. The transition will eliminate social features, with changes effective for older Fitbit users starting May 12, 2026.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Google just dropped a new ‘experimental AI assistant’ app exclusively for Android

Google has introduced an experimental AI assistant application named COSMO to the Play Store, identified by the package name com.google.research.air.cosmo. COSMO aims to enhance daily tasks using artificial intelligence, similar to Google’s Gemini app. The app can operate using a local Gemini Nano model or connect to a remote “PI” server, although some features are not fully operational. The user experience is currently rough, with less polish compared to the full Gemini app, and access is limited across various regions, including on Pixel devices.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Samsung Messages is dying — here’s the open-source alternative I’m replacing it with

Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July 2026. The author switched from Samsung Messages to Google Messages but found it lacking in customization options and preferred a simpler experience. They discovered Fossify Messages, a free and open-source messaging app that offers essential features without distractions, and found it to be a suitable replacement. Fossify Messages allows selective text copying, offers security options like PIN or biometric authentication, and supports local backups. While the author appreciates Fossify Messages, they still recognize the strengths of Samsung Messages, such as chat organization and integration with Galaxy devices.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Google’s new Windows app speeds up search on desktop

Google has launched a new app for Windows users that enhances the search experience by allowing web, Google account, and local file searches through a keyboard shortcut (Alt + Space). The app features a floating search bar with options to upload files, share screens, and use Google Lens for visual searches. It defaults to AI Mode but allows users to switch to traditional search methods. The app is available globally, but only for Windows 10 and newer systems, and currently supports only the English language.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Google Meet lands on Android Auto, but there’s a catch

Google Meet has launched an audio-only version for Android Auto, prioritizing driver safety by allowing meetings without video. The app features a user-friendly interface with Scheduled and History tabs for easy access to meetings. However, it currently lacks complete support for work profiles, meaning users cannot access work schedules or meeting history from the car. The design does not include a virtual green room or pre-call screen, and users join meetings immediately upon tapping. While the audio-only format aims to enhance productivity, it raises concerns about work-life balance and may lead to missed information during discussions. Users may join smaller meetings with microphones activated, and larger calls may have users muted by default. For more complex tasks, users are advised to pull over and use their phones. The rollout of this feature is happening in stages.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

Apple pulls down Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat messaging app in China; tells ‘protesting developer’: It is your responsibility to understand and make sure that …

Apple has removed the BitChat app from its App Store in China due to directives from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), which claimed the app contained 'illegal' content. Jack Dorsey announced this on April 5, noting that Apple's notification highlighted the need for apps to comply with local laws. The CAC referenced specific violations related to internet-based information services. While BitChat is no longer available in China, it remains accessible in other regions, and the TestFlight version is also unavailable for testing in China. BitChat operates using Bluetooth technology for messaging without internet access and supports Bitcoin transactions.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Review of ‘DoNotNotify,’ a free Android app that filters and blocks unwanted smartphone notifications.

DoNotNotify is an Android app that allows users to manage their notification settings with a high degree of customization. Key features include: - Real-time notification blocking using Android's NotificationListenerService. - Creation of deny and allow lists for specific notifications. - Support for simple partial matching and regular expression patterns to filter notifications. - Scheduling rules to be active during specific time frames. - Over 40 pre-configured rules for popular applications. - Automatic addition of relevant rules when compatible apps are installed. - Customizable notification retention and review of received alerts. - Tracking of blocked notifications through a block history feature. - Ability to import and export rules as JSON files. - Offline operation without data collection. To install the app, users can download it from the Google Play Store, enable notification access, and manage rules through the app's interface. Users can create new rules based on their notification history and customize settings, although advanced filtering may require experimentation.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Goodbye, Duolingo; I’ve found a much better language-learning app

Rita El Khoury shares her positive experience with the language-learning app Babbel, which she prefers over Duolingo and Memrise due to its focus on practical communication and real-life conversations. Babbel's curriculum emphasizes essential phrases and useful vocabulary, enhancing retention through a flashcard system that includes visual aids, text, and pronunciation. The app offers a variety of practice methods, including grammar guides and audio recaps, allowing users to tailor their learning experience. Babbel also features an AI-powered Speak function for conversation practice, helping users overcome speaking hesitations. While El Khoury notes some limitations, such as the need to switch the app's primary language for different language pairs, she is considering a long-term subscription due to Babbel's alignment with her learning style and its flexible pricing structure.