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Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max blocks regional chats where users tracked gas availability and shared information about lines at filling stations
AppWizard
June 25, 2026

Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max blocks regional chats where users tracked gas availability and shared information about lines at filling stations

The Max messenger has blocked chat groups in at least four Russian regions—Ivanovo, Vladimir, Tver, Krasnokamsk, and Chita—where users were tracking gas availability and information about filling station queues. The chat group "Benzin 33" in the Vladimir region gained 15,000 subscribers in three days, while "Benzin Ivanovo" had around 8,000 members, and the Tver chat reached 9,000 subscribers. The blocking in Vladimir was due to a technical violation related to subscriber registration with Roskomnadzor, while the reasons for blockings in other regions are unclear. Russia is facing a fuel crisis exacerbated by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, leading to restrictions on gasoline sales in over 20 areas and widespread shortages at gas stations. Additionally, the Federal Antimonopoly Service has banned the sale of gasoline on digital platforms, resulting in blocked listings on e-commerce sites like Ozon and Wildberries.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
June 25, 2026

This free app puts Microsoft to shame by bringing widgets to the Windows 11 taskbar

WidBar is a beta application for Windows 11 that allows users to integrate widgets into the taskbar, currently offering two widgets: "Now Playing" and "System Metrics." Users can drag and drop these widgets into a live preview of their taskbar and place them across multiple monitors. The native Widgets Panel in Windows 11 has 56 widgets but lacks a dedicated Now Playing widget, as media controls are only available in the Action Center. WidBar is gaining attention for its potential to enhance user experience and is being discussed in the tech community on platforms like Reddit.
Gemini on desktop could soon get Gemini Live, Magic Pointer, and voice dictation
AppWizard
June 25, 2026

Gemini on desktop could soon get Gemini Live, Magic Pointer, and voice dictation

The Gemini desktop application for macOS is testing several new features, including support for Gemini Live, a system-wide voice dictation feature called “Speak to Window,” cursor tracking for contextual assistance, and a toolbar option labeled “Connect another Mac.” These features are currently being evaluated by a select group of users.
GM is adding 200 new apps to its cars with Google built-in
AppWizard
June 25, 2026

GM is adding 200 new apps to its cars with Google built-in

General Motors is enhancing the digital experience in its vehicles by introducing support for over 200 new applications on its "Cars with Google built-in" platform, moving away from Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The new apps will be available on select 2024 and newer models of Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles equipped with Google built-in. Driver-focused apps will be accessible only when the vehicle is parked, while passengers can enjoy games and streaming services during travel. The new offerings include games like basketball, chess, and solitaire for drivers, and streaming services such as Disney Plus, Hulu, Tubi, and YouTube for passengers. Music and podcast platforms like Spotify, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music will also be supported. The passenger and rear displays will support these apps in select 2025 and newer GM models, including the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and GMC Yukon. Users can find these applications under a “car compatible apps” section in Google Play. GM vehicle owners are encouraged to monitor their infotainment systems for the new apps.
Making Windows a developer platform, again
Winsage
June 25, 2026

Making Windows a developer platform, again

Setting up a PC with the base Dev Config has been streamlined for developers, utilizing the Winget configuration service to install applications, execute updates, and apply developer settings on Windows. Users can access setup scripts by cloning a GitHub repository or downloading a zip archive, with clear instructions provided by Microsoft. The installation may require a reboot during the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) installation, but the script resumes automatically afterward. The process installs applications such as PowerShell, Git, GitHub command-line interfaces, Windows App SDK, Visual Studio Code, and language support for Node.js, Python, and .NET. It also includes developer-friendly fonts and a theme engine for Windows Terminal, along with options for customizing File Explorer and the Windows Task Bar. After WSL installation, developers can use WSL Comfort scripts to install additional tools and personalize their Windows Terminal experience. This utility has two phases: the Windows component configures WSL and Ubuntu, while the Linux component fine-tunes the WSL environment, allowing for zsh and starship terminal display tools. It also integrates popular command-line interfaces and supports the Homebrew package installer, targeting existing Ubuntu instances without needing a new Linux distribution installation.
Google Play Store Fees Will be Lowered Thanks to Epic Games Lawsuit, Settlement
BetaBeacon
June 25, 2026

Google Play Store Fees Will be Lowered Thanks to Epic Games Lawsuit, Settlement

Google Play Store fees are getting lower starting on June 30, with the service fee starting at 10% on the first million in annual earnings. Developers using Google Play's billing system will pay an additional 5% billing fee. The changes are a result of Epic Games' lawsuit against Google, which required the company to make structural changes to its Play Store operations. Apple also made changes to its App Store policies following a lawsuit from Epic.
PowerToys replaced tools I used to install on every Windows PC
Winsage
June 25, 2026

PowerToys replaced tools I used to install on every Windows PC

Raycast for Windows, a productivity app, was initially a valuable tool for launching applications and executing actions quickly. However, the introduction of the Command Palette in Microsoft PowerToys provided similar functionality, leading to Raycast being less essential for the user's needs. The user found that the Command Palette effectively served as a fast app launcher, integrating well with other PowerToys features. The user also transitioned from GlazeWM, a tiling window manager, to FancyZones in PowerToys for better window management, as FancyZones offered more tailored window layout options. Additionally, Text Extractor in PowerToys streamlined the user's optical character recognition (OCR) tasks by allowing easy text extraction from images. Overall, PowerToys consolidated several utilities into one suite, enhancing the user's productivity while reducing the need for multiple separate applications.
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