app landscape Archives

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Amazon to Shut Down Android App Store, Ending a Decade-Long Experiment

Amazon will close its Amazon Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025, after 14 years of operation. The closure includes the discontinuation of Amazon Coins, which are used for in-app purchases. Developers will no longer be able to submit new apps after this date, although existing apps will remain available until then. Amazon plans to focus on its Appstore for its own devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets, where most of its customers engage with the platform. The Appstore was launched in 2011 as a competitor to Google Play but struggled to gain traction outside of Amazon's ecosystem. Additionally, Amazon will discontinue support for the Appstore on Windows 11 on March 5, 2025. Security concerns have also been raised regarding the Appstore, including incidents of malware found within it.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Floating Multitasking, Viewport, Heroes of Loot 2, more

Significant price reductions are available on the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra models. Consumers can also receive exclusive credit and enter to win a complimentary set of Galaxy Buds Pro 3. The Galaxy Tab S10+ has a substantial price drop. The unlocked Google Pixel 8 Pro is available with enticing discounts. Featured apps include Viewport – The Game, Heroes of Loot 2, Positional, and Floating Multitasking.

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

Telegram global MAU 2024

Telegram was launched in March 2014 and has consistently increased its monthly active users since then. By July 2024, the number of active users is projected to reach impressive heights. The platform experienced steady growth from 2015 to 2019 as users sought alternatives to mainstream messaging services. In 2020, it saw a surge in popularity due to increased demand for secure communication. From 2021 to 2024, Telegram continued to expand by introducing innovative features and maintaining a commitment to user privacy.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

Google is officially opening up Android Auto to weather apps, but you don’t have to wait

Google has introduced a new category for weather apps in Android Auto and Android Automotive, allowing users to access real-time weather information based on their location or travel routes. The supported app categories now include Media (audio), Messaging, Navigation, Point of Interest (POI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Weather. For parked vehicles, additional categories like Video, Games, and Browsers are available exclusively on Android Automotive OS. The Weather category is currently in beta, limited to specific testing tracks, and aims to provide weather updates along with navigation functionalities. Early adopters of this category include "Weather & Radar" and "MyRadar Weather Radar."

AppWizard

November 25, 2024

The Play Store could soon save you from downloading crappy apps (APK Teardown)

Google is exploring the introduction of cautionary messages in the Play Store to inform users about the quality of certain apps. Potential warning indicators may include: - This app is frequently uninstalled compared to similar apps on Play. - Play has limited user data about this app. - This app has few active users compared to others on Play. These warnings aim to help users make informed decisions, particularly benefiting those who are less tech-savvy or have limited internet resources.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

I tried Google’s hidden note-taking app that no one’s talking about, and you should too

Google's NotebookLM is a new note-taking tool that allows users to consolidate information from various sources, including Google Drive documents, articles, YouTube videos, PDF files, and MP3 audio clips, into a single organized notebook. It utilizes Google's language model, Gemini 1.5 Pro, to analyze extensive text and generate outputs like briefing documents and study guides without requiring a premium subscription. The app features a bulletin-board style layout for easy usability and includes a chat feature with inline citations. One of its standout features is the Audio Overviews, which transforms notes into a podcast format with human-like hosts discussing the content. NotebookLM is currently available as a cross-platform web app and has recently shed its "experimental" label, though it does not yet have a dedicated mobile application.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Best Android app price drops and freebies: Residual, Gunslugs, Space Grunts 2, and more

The Google Play store is offering a variety of discounted Android games and apps. Notable hardware deals include the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra at a reduced price and the 32-inch 4K 240Hz Odyssey OLED G8 monitor, which comes with a complimentary Odyssey G3 monitor. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE has also seen a price drop of . Featured discounted games include Residual, Gunslugs 1 – 3, Neoteria, and Space Grunts 2.

AppWizard

November 1, 2024

Best Android app price drops and freebies: Lanterns Harvest Festival, Wings of Glory, Water Tracker, more

On Friday afternoon, new Android game and app deals were announced, along with hardware offers. The OnePlus Watch 2 is available with an extra band, and Anker has released a 65W Prime Power Bank with a color display. Samsung is promoting its 2024 32-inch M8 smart monitor for [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: On Friday afternoon, a fresh selection of enticing Android game and app deals has emerged, ready to capture the attention of savvy consumers. In addition to the discounts available on Google Play, there are noteworthy offers on hardware as well. Among these is the OnePlus Watch 2, which comes with an extra band, enhancing its appeal for those looking to elevate their wearable tech. Furthermore, Anker has introduced its new 65W Prime Power Bank, featuring an onboard color display that adds a touch of sophistication to portable charging solutions. Notable Hardware Deals Perhaps the most striking offer comes from Samsung, which is currently promoting its 2024 32-inch M8 smart monitor. Priced at a remarkable 0 off, this deal also includes a complimentary 2TB SSD, making it an attractive option for both work and play at a total of 0. App Highlights The app landscape is equally exciting, with standout titles that cater to a variety of interests. Some of the highlights include: Lanterns: The Harvest Festival - A charming game that invites players to immerse themselves in a festive atmosphere. Wings of Glory - An exhilarating flight simulation experience that promises to take users on thrilling aerial adventures. Water Tracker: Hydro Coach PRO - A practical app designed to help users stay hydrated and maintain their wellness goals. Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD - A visually stunning strategy game that challenges players to defend their territory with tactical prowess. These deals and app offerings present an excellent opportunity for consumers to enhance their digital experiences while enjoying significant savings. For those interested in exploring these options further, a closer look at the complete list is recommended." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"], which includes a complimentary 2TB SSD. Notable app highlights include "Lanterns: The Harvest Festival," "Wings of Glory," "Water Tracker: Hydro Coach PRO," and "Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD."

AppWizard

October 24, 2024

Best Android app price drops and freebies: Defense Legend 5 Pro, SpongeBob, Anodyne, more

A selection of Android game and app deals is available, including a price reduction on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. A complimentary TP-Link Google magnetic smart cam is offered with purchases, and the OnePlus Pad 2 comes with free OnePlus Buds Pro 3. The 40mm Galaxy Watch 7 is at an all-time low price on Amazon. Featured apps and games include Defense Legend 5 Pro, SpongeBob SquarePants, Rush Rally Origins, and Anodyne.

AppWizard

October 18, 2024

Google Play will force many apps to use Android’s Photo Picker for better privacy

Google Play is urging developers to transition to the Android Photo Picker to enhance user privacy by limiting access to users' photos and videos. The Android Photo Picker, introduced with Android 13 in 2022, allows apps to access only selected media rather than the entire gallery. Despite its introduction, many developers continue using the legacy system file picker, prompting Google to implement a new policy requiring developers to either justify their need for broad access or switch to the Photo Picker by September 18. Non-compliance will restrict app updates on the Google Play Store. By early 2025, only apps demonstrating a core functionality reliant on accessing user images and videos will be allowed to request broad media permissions. Google's efforts aim to enhance user privacy, although the current Photo Picker lacks certain features that users may find essential.