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Four Google Play Store Features That Change How App Installs and Updates Work
AppWizard
January 5, 2026

Four Google Play Store Features That Change How App Installs and Updates Work

The Google Play Store has introduced several enhancements to improve the app installation and update experience for users. Key features include: 1. Per-app auto-update control: Users can now enable or disable auto-updates for individual apps, allowing essential apps to remain on stable versions while less critical ones update automatically. 2. Built-in download manager shortcut: A new circular icon on the Apps and Games pages provides access to a list of recently installed or updated apps, showing timestamps and allowing users to launch apps directly from this list. 3. Auto-open when ready: A toggle that, when activated, launches an app automatically after installation, accompanied by a notification with a countdown timer for user intervention. 4. Viewing changelogs without opening app pages: Users can now view update changelogs directly from the app management screen without navigating to each app's store listing, enhancing efficiency in reviewing updates. These features collectively enhance user control and transparency in app management.
Popular YouTube app for Android TV ‘SmartTube’ compromised with malware
AppWizard
December 1, 2025

Popular YouTube app for Android TV ‘SmartTube’ compromised with malware

The developer of SmartTube, an ad-free YouTube client for Android TV, confirmed a security breach involving the app's signing key, which allowed malicious actors to inject harmful code into app updates. The breach was disclosed by Yuriy Yuliskov, the maintainer, who advised users to avoid reinstalling the old app and instead wait for a newly signed version. A reverse-engineering analysis of the infected APKs revealed that they were gathering sensitive information and transmitting it to a remote server. Versions 28.56 to 30.52 were particularly affected, and Google Play Protect began disabling installations of SmartTube. In response, Yuliskov wiped his hard drive and released a new version, 30.56, with a different signing key and app ID. Transparency concerns remain, and the developer plans to disclose details about the breach and measures to prevent future incidents. Users have requested additional security assurances, including hashes of clean builds.
Google is quietly testing a better app launch shortcut for the Pixel Launcher
AppWizard
September 30, 2025

Google is quietly testing a better app launch shortcut for the Pixel Launcher

Recent user reports indicate a potential enhancement in the Pixel Launcher, where the search bar now highlights the app name with "open" next to it, and the search button has changed to an arrow or enter button, allowing users to launch applications directly from the keyboard. This change is currently limited to a small number of users as part of a server-side test, with no widespread rollout confirmed yet.
Malwarebytes Ultimate
Tech Optimizer
September 3, 2025

Malwarebytes Ultimate

Malwarebytes offers a cybersecurity suite called Malwarebytes Ultimate, which includes antivirus protection, VPN services, and identity theft remediation. The pricing starts at .99 per year for a single device, with higher costs for additional devices. The suite provides coverage for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The identity theft protection is powered by TransUnion but lacks the extensive features of competitors like Bitdefender and Norton. Malwarebytes Ultimate includes a VPN with over 60 server locations across 34 countries, though it does not cover regions like Africa or certain countries. The VPN features include an automatic activation option and split tunneling. Malwarebytes has received high scores in independent testing for its antivirus capabilities on Android but did not appear in some recent evaluations. The identity theft protection system allows users to monitor personal information and receive alerts if their data is found on the dark web. Users can also track financial transactions for suspicious activity and access resources for identity and credit protection. Malwarebytes provides a dedicated resolution specialist for identity theft cases and offers a personal data removal service.
6 Chromebook features I wish Windows had
Winsage
July 26, 2025

6 Chromebook features I wish Windows had

Chromebooks run on ChromeOS, which includes features such as the customizable Home Launcher for app organization, the Quick Insert button for integrating various elements into documents, and three-finger tab swipes for efficient multitasking in the Chrome browser. The Welcome Recap feature provides a daily overview of tasks, while Select to Search allows users to highlight text or images for immediate contextual information. Additionally, ChromeOS simplifies the process of pinning files to the taskbar compared to Windows.
Samsung just supercharged these handy Good Lock modules for One UI 8
AppWizard
July 23, 2025

Samsung just supercharged these handy Good Lock modules for One UI 8

Samsung is updating its Good Lock toolkit to ensure compatibility with the One UI 8 update. Home Up has been refined to allow users to customize app launch animations, enhancing the experience beyond what was available in One UI 7. The update includes new tools for the DIY Home Screen feature, such as alignment guides, item grouping options, and a “Page Indicator Hiding” toggle. Users can now also enjoy horizontal scrolling for app sorting. MultiStar, NavStar, and QuickStar have been updated to align with One UI 8, introducing features like a “Launcher widget” for the cover screen. Additionally, two new multi-window settings have been added for devices with multi-window support, including a quick-access icon for flipping screen orientations and toggling between aspect ratios in portrait mode.
Report says ByteDance is creating a new TikTok US version to quell 'concerns'
AppWizard
July 7, 2025

Report says ByteDance is creating a new TikTok US version to quell ‘concerns’

ByteDance is developing a U.S.-specific version of TikTok to address concerns from the U.S. government about the app's ties to China and user data handling. This new application is expected to launch on September 5, before a potential ban on September 17. There are over 170 million TikTok users in the U.S., making the transition to a new app complicated. The U.S. government has expressed concerns about TikTok's data collection and potential propaganda dissemination. The House passed a bill requiring TikTok to either sell to a U.S. company or face a ban. ByteDance prefers not to divest TikTok and has been granted extensions to operate in the U.S. until September 17.
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