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F-Droid says Google's Android developer verification plan is an 'existential' threat to alternative app stores
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

F-Droid says Google’s Android developer verification plan is an ‘existential’ threat to alternative app stores

Developers distributing apps outside of Google's Play Store will be required to register with Google in certain countries starting in September, with plans for global expansion by 2027. This policy aims to enhance security by removing anonymity from developers but comes with a registration fee and the need for government identification. F-Droid, an open-source app repository, has raised concerns that this policy could threaten its existence by mandating a single signature for all apps. F-Droid initiated a public campaign against these changes, garnering support from various organizations. Despite some interest from regulators, progress is slow, and there are fears that Google's verification program may be implemented before any regulatory action occurs. F-Droid encourages developers to avoid signing up for the early access program and has launched a petition to voice concerns.
Friday’s best Android app deals and freebies: Rusted Emeth, Avalar, Undead City, Townopolis, more
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Friday’s best Android app deals and freebies: Rusted Emeth, Avalar, Undead City, Townopolis, more

Android game and app deals include titles such as Old Man’s Journey, Rusted Emeth, Avalar: Shadow War Premium, Burning Sky VIP, Undead City: Survivor Premium, AVARIS3, Townopolis, and Survival Island: Ark Craft Pro. Accessories on sale include the official Pixel Watch Gradient Stretch Band. Unlocked Pixel 10 Pro XL units are available with discounts up to 0 off, and the Pixel Watch 4 is at all-time low prices on Amazon.
Did a Steam Game Give Your PC Malware? The FBI Wants to Know
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Did a Steam Game Give Your PC Malware? The FBI Wants to Know

The FBI has launched an investigation into malware threats associated with PC games on Steam, particularly targeting users from May 2024 to January 2026. The games identified include BlockBlasters, Chemia, Dashverse/DashFPS, Lampy, Lunara, PirateFi, and Tokenova, all linked to malware incidents. For example, PirateFi was designed to steal browser cookies, Chemia updated itself with malicious software, and BlockBlasters was identified as a Trojan that siphoned cryptocurrency. The FBI's alert also mentions Lampy, which may harbor malware. Valve, the parent company of Steam, has not responded to inquiries but has warned users about the affected games. The investigation suggests a potential link to a single group or individual, with reports indicating that victims were lured through Telegram messages offering free game keys or job opportunities.
Google's Android boss talks Android 17, sideloading drama, and why he hates phone cases
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Google’s Android boss talks Android 17, sideloading drama, and why he hates phone cases

MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona is a significant event for the tech industry, where companies unveil new hardware and showcase emerging ideas. At MWC 2026, Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem, discussed the evolution of Android, particularly focusing on Android 17, which aims to transition from an operating system to an intelligent system. This version will integrate AI capabilities through Gemini, allowing for more intuitive task management. Android 17 will introduce early agentic capabilities, initially available in a beta feature for select devices, enabling users to automate multi-step tasks. Samat confirmed that Google has no plans to remove sideloading, despite concerns about app security. Upcoming changes to sideloading will focus on verifying app identities to protect users from malicious apps while still allowing power users to install unverified software. He emphasized the importance of balancing openness and safety in the Android platform. Samat expressed excitement about current Android phones, highlighting trends in foldable devices and praising models from brands like Motorola and Nothing for their appeal to younger consumers. He mentioned using a Galaxy Z Fold 7 for work and a Pixel 10 Pro for personal use, noting the beauty of the devices and his preference not to use cases.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
March 13, 2026

Microsoft DirectX Gears Up For ML Era On Windows, Advanced Shader Delivery Solves Game Stutter & Load Times, DXR 2.0 Teased

At GDC 2026, Microsoft announced the introduction of ML-Powered DirectX and Advanced Shader Delivery. The ML-enhanced DirectX includes Cooperative Vectors within Shader Model 6.9, facilitating neural rendering techniques such as Neural Texture Compression and Neural Radiance Caching. DirectX Linear Algebra is introduced to support matrix-based ML workflows, and the DirectX Compute Graph Compiler enables full model graphs to run with native GPU performance. Advanced Shader Delivery allows game developers to provide precompiled shaders to reduce load times and stuttering. New APIs, App Identity API and Stats API, have been introduced to support this feature. NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm have expressed their support for these advancements. Additionally, Microsoft is developing DXR 2.0, which will support Shader Model 6.10 and is expected to roll out in late summer 2026.
Your Pixel just lost a handy Recents trick in the March update
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Your Pixel just lost a handy Recents trick in the March update

Google introduced the stable Android 16 QPR3 update, known as the March 2026 Pixel update, for Pixel devices. A change in the Recent apps screen has caused discontent among users, as the ability to easily save images directly from the Recents screen has been removed. Previously, users could long-press or use the Select tool to save images directly to Photos, but now they only have options to Copy, Share, and Edit. A workaround to save images involves using the share sheet to select “Upload to Photos,” but this is less intuitive and more time-consuming. Additionally, alternatives for Google Lens functionality are available, but they lack the convenience of the previous interface.
Android 17 Beta 2 starts clamping down on apps that misuse accessibility services
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Android 17 Beta 2 starts clamping down on apps that misuse accessibility services

Google has enhanced its Advanced Protection Mode with the rollout of Android 17 Beta 2, introducing stricter security measures that restrict non-accessibility applications from accessing the AccessibilityService API. This update prevents non-accessibility apps from obtaining accessibility permissions, revoking them from apps that already have them while the mode is active. Users cannot grant these permissions when Advanced Protection Mode is enabled. For example, the dynamicSpot app cannot receive necessary accessibility permissions under this mode. In contrast, the stable Android 16 QPR3 build allows dynamicSpot to function with Advanced Protection Mode activated. Applications that identify as accessibility tools, like screen readers, remain unaffected by this restriction. This change may cause compatibility issues for users who enable Advanced Protection Mode, offering a choice between enhanced security and access to certain applications.
Samsung’s new tool wants to fix Android gaming’s biggest headache
BetaBeacon
March 13, 2026

Samsung’s new tool wants to fix Android gaming’s biggest headache

Mobile graphics have become more complex with advanced lighting, high-resolution textures, and complicated rendering methods. Performance issues often appear over several frames, making them difficult to detect with standard profiling tools. Developers can edit shaders and replay workloads on the device to quickly optimize graphics code and test small changes without rebuilding the entire app. Sokatoa offers detailed data visualizations and a modern interface to help developers understand complex GPU metrics.
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