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.
DogEar is a free widget app for avid readers that cycles through quotes from books, allowing users to pin it to their home or lock screen. The free version limits users to three books, with a paid option for full access.
Where Winds Meet is a free open-world RPG set in 10th-century China, featuring over 150 hours of single-player content and various character customization options.
Seriatim Reader is a free e-book reader that displays books one sentence at a time, supporting major e-book formats like EPUB and PDF.
Caresleep is a free app that offers customizable offline soundscapes for relaxation, including a sleep timer and lullabies, without ads or limitations.
Doki Doki Literature Club! is a free visual novel that has been ported to Android, featuring a literature club theme with unexpected narrative twists and support for 1080p content.
In 2025, the Microsoft Store on Windows attracted over 250 million monthly users and introduced new offerings, including productivity tools like Raycast, Noteastic, and Cephable, as well as popular games such as Fortnite and Hollow Knight: Silksong. Accessibility apps like DotVista and applications like RunCat 365 and Adobe Premier Elements 2026 were also launched. In collaboration with Tencent, the catalog in China expanded to include mini apps and games like Rednote and Fire to the Zombies. The 2025 App Awards winners were announced, recognizing exceptional value for Windows users.
The Microsoft Store introduced Special Events to help users discover timely content within their favorite apps. A dedicated Themes department was launched to simplify the process of personalizing computing environments. Enhancements made since June focused on providing a tailored experience, with personalized content available on home and app pages. The app installation process was streamlined with multi-app install features and improved methods for finding and launching apps through the Windows Search Bar.
The AI Hub was refreshed to help users discover AI-powered apps, with new app badges indicating AI capabilities. Copilot now assists with Store browsing in the U.S., and finding Agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot has been made easier. Key improvements included quicker navigation, improved error handling, the ability to uninstall apps directly from the Library, better update orchestration, and enhanced search functionality.
Microsoft released a cumulative update for Windows 11, designated as KB5072033, which included a change to the AppX Deployment Service (Appxsvc), setting it to automatic startup to improve reliability. This change was not initially mentioned in the release notes but was later added, noting that it aims to enhance reliability in isolated scenarios. Users have expressed concerns about high resource consumption linked to this service, particularly on lower-spec machines.
The update also introduced a standardized format for Windows Update titles to improve readability, announced that there will be no non-security preview update in the latter half of December 2025, and noted that Secure Boot certificates for most Windows devices will expire starting in June 2026. Additionally, Windows Updates will not include updates for Microsoft Store applications, with enterprise users advised to consult Configuration Manager for updates.
HappyMod is a nonofficial Android application that allows users to download unique modded applications, also known as APK games, which offer benefits such as unlocking premium features, obtaining in-game currencies, and removing ads. HappyMod offers a wide selection of modified applications in various categories, making it a flexible platform for users with different interests. The process of using HappyMod involves installation, user navigation, searching for modded apps, downloading the APK, configuring the device for installation, and using the modified functionalities. HappyMod is popular among Android users for providing access to premium features for free, offering free mods for purchase-required games, and giving users greater control over their apps. In terms of safety, users should download HappyMod from trusted sources, install antivirus software, read user reviews, and avoid downloading mods from unknown third-party sites to prevent risks such as account bans, malware, and copyright violations.
Microsoft has updated its Prism emulator, allowing x86 applications to run on Windows 11 devices with Arm chips. This update improves performance, especially for applications using AVX or AVX2 extensions, and increases the number of compatible apps and games. The Prism emulator is a significant enhancement over the previous x86 app emulation layer from Windows 10, enabling most x86 applications to run smoothly on Snapdragon devices, comparable to traditional Intel PCs.
Google has introduced a new feature called PC Connect for Android XR, allowing users to link a Windows computer with Android XR and display desktop or other windows side-by-side with native apps from Google Play. The feature offers full resolution and high frame rate over Wi-Fi, with input bridging allowing a keyboard and mouse to control either device. Additionally, Google is also rolling out Travel Mode, a stable viewing option for when users are in motion, and a Likeness feature that creates a realistic digital representation of a user's face during video calls.
OmniTools is an app that contains a variety of smaller tools for users, including unit conversion, math tools, and a toolkit with features like a bubble level and compass. The app has a colorful UI and offers a range of useful tools for different purposes.
Microsoft has introduced the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) in its latest Insider Preview Build for Windows 11, aimed at enhancing gaming across devices such as laptops, desktops, and tablets. The FSE allows users to pair an Xbox gaming controller with their Windows 11 device for easier task switching, enabling quick navigation between apps and games. The feature is currently available for testing by Windows Insiders, with a phased rollout to gather feedback before a wider release. There are indications that a next-generation Xbox PC may be developed around the FSE, potentially transforming it into a Windows 11 PC with an extensive Xbox gaming library.
