app Archives

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Friday Android app deals and freebies: ScourgeBringer, Greak, Egg Journey, more

9to5Toys provides daily updates on technology and lifestyle deals. Stay connected by visiting the homepage regularly and following on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Start with the best Apple deals, listen to the daily podcast, and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more content.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Google Photos’ latest UI experiment has one job: getting CapCut on your phone

Google is exploring new sharing features in the Google Photos app, specifically in version 7.83.0.943371825, which includes an option to export media directly to CapCut, a video editing app by ByteDance. This feature appears in the export sheet when users select multiple photos or videos, allowing for direct editing in CapCut. If CapCut is not installed, users will be prompted to download it from the Play Store. The feature is currently in testing and not available to the general public, and modifications to the app’s package indicate ongoing experimentation by Google. An APK teardown has revealed these features, but not all may be included in the final public release.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

The next big addition to T-Life app sounds an awful lot like targeted advertising

T-Mobile has made the T-Life app central to its retail operations, requiring all transactions in physical stores to be conducted through it. The company plans to enhance the app with richer account profiles and interest-based preferences for personalized user experiences, including recognizing customer birthdays. There are concerns about data privacy and the potential use of enhanced data collection for marketing, especially given T-Mobile's history of data breaches. The company has been asked about data sharing and security measures. New features for T-Mobile Tuesday have been introduced, including weekly participation streaks and support for Spanish-language users. A major app update earlier this year improved loading times by 30% and allowed users to change phone numbers. T-Mobile reported record engagement with the app, with increased daily, weekly, and monthly active users.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Google is working on a new ‘memories games’ feature for Google Photos

Google Photos is working on a new feature called "Memories Games" that will create games based on the people, places, and things in your photos and memories.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Microsoft confirms Secure Boot update failing on some Windows 11 PCs, promises a resolution

Microsoft has acknowledged that some Windows 11 PCs are facing issues with Secure Boot certificate updates, which may fail to install or be blocked. The company is working with PC manufacturers to develop a patch, while users may need to take proactive measures if their certificates are obstructed. Microsoft has temporarily halted the rollout of Secure Boot for certain devices due to complications, and affected users will receive detailed error messages in the Windows Security app regarding their Secure Boot certificates. Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011 have expired, and Microsoft is replacing them with new certificates issued in 2023. Most modern hardware is already utilizing the new certificates, but some devices may have disabled Secure Boot or faulty firmware. Users can check their Secure Boot status in the Windows Security app. HP has confirmed that Secure Boot updates are being blocked on some of its PCs due to a BitLocker issue, which prevents the installation of new certificates. Microsoft has paused Secure Boot certificate updates for devices affected by known issues while collaborating with manufacturers to identify specific devices or firmware complications. A firmware update will be necessary for affected devices, but it is not yet available. The majority of PCs have received the Secure Boot certificates via Windows Update, but compatibility issues may prevent some devices from receiving the update. Older devices or those not among the OEM’s top-selling models may not receive updates if the UEFI firmware is unsupported. Secure Boot is a security feature required for Windows 11, preventing unauthorized software from executing at boot. While an expired Secure Boot certificate does not stop a PC from functioning, it may limit long-term security protection. Microsoft advises users not to disable Secure Boot, as it would compromise security further.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Study of 281 Free Android VPN Apps Finds Traffic Leaks, Unencrypted Data, and Tracking

Researchers analyzed 281 popular free VPN applications on the Google Play Store and found significant privacy and security shortcomings. The study, conducted by teams from the University of Michigan, the University of New Mexico, and IIT Delhi using a framework called MVPNalyzer, revealed that flagged apps had over 2.4 billion downloads. Key findings included: - Five apps transmitted configuration files unencrypted, allowing attackers to intercept and modify them. - 29 apps allowed user traffic to leak outside the encrypted tunnel, with 24 leaking DNS traffic and six leaking full browsing traffic. - 169 apps made no effort to disguise their traffic, making it identifiable to network operators or government censors. - 76 apps transmitted the device's Advertising ID to advertisers, and over 80% contacted known advertising and tracking servers. - Only one of 108 OpenVPN configurations adhered to recommended security practices; 89% used a single authentication method, and nearly 20% employed outdated encryption techniques. - Many apps passed through Play Store checks without adequate scrutiny, with safety labels often serving as marketing tools rather than security indicators. These findings align with previous research highlighting similar issues in popular Android VPN apps. Users are advised to be cautious when selecting VPNs, prioritizing those with recent independent security audits.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Beloved Racing Title Now on Mobile

Golden Lap is a popular racing game that has now been released on Android and iOS devices. Players take on the role of a team boss and make strategic decisions similar to those in F1 racing. The game features driver selection, car customization, and sponsorship deals, with a focus on strategic gameplay. Players can fine-tune their cars and select tires before races. The game offers a deep and immersive gaming experience with a variety of stats to keep track of. The full game can be unlocked through a single in-app purchase for a limited-time offer of .99.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Bug That Eats 500GB Of Your Storage

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting Windows 11 users on versions 24H2 and 25H2, where a bug can consume up to 500GB of storage, leading to critical space shortages and potential system failure. This bug has been reported since May 2025, with a solution disclosed on June 29, but it will not be automatically rolled out until July 14. Users can check if they are affected by navigating to Settings > System > Storage and examining the “System files” category; if it exceeds 100GB, they are likely impacted. The issue is linked to a hidden file named CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal in the “%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsCapabilityAccessManager” directory. Microsoft has released an optional update (KB5095093) to address the bug, which also includes feature previews that may affect performance. Users are advised against deleting the problematic file to avoid disrupting WiFi connectivity and screen capture functionalities. An automatic fix will be deployed during the July 14 update.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Gemini won’t cut you off as much, and its reliability improved in Google Home

Google has released patch notes for an early July update, enhancing reliability, sports interactions, and visual aesthetics for Gemini. The Home app now offers improved light control for two Walmart onn products and "Suggested Automations" for a tailored user experience. Gemini is evolving with improved assistance and conversational capabilities, featuring revamped visual layouts for weather forecasts and sports updates. Automation suggestions for tasks like home security and energy efficiency are being rolled out. The Home app introduces light control for the onn Outdoor Camera Plug-in and the onn Floodlight Camera Hardwired devices, along with improvements to the setup process for older Nest cameras. Earlier this year, Google launched the Continued Conversations feature for Gemini, enhancing the AI's memory for ongoing discussions. In June, the introduction of Pet Memory allowed smart home cameras to better recognize pets, providing personalized alerts based on the pet's name and breed.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

A Spotify Teardown Just Showed Us How Apps Will Actually Work on Android XR Glasses.

An APK teardown of Spotify version 9.1.66.1259 revealed plans for a Gemini experience designed for Android XR smart glasses. Users can link their Google account to access Gemini for voice-controlled playback, contextual music discovery, and real-time playlist management through prompts. The glasses can analyze the environment via a camera to suggest music based on surroundings. The architecture allows the app to run on a smartphone while the glasses act as a display and sensor, making development easier for developers by enabling them to extend existing Android apps for the glasses. This model supports the creation of lightweight AI glasses. Spotify's early preparation for Android XR glasses signals positive ecosystem development and developer engagement ahead of hardware releases. However, the use of cameras for contextual music selection raises privacy concerns. The findings are based on an unreleased build and may change before official confirmation.