availability Archives

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

I’m slowly escaping Google’s ecosystem, and it’s easier than I thought

In recent months, users are reconsidering their reliance on Google, leading to a movement towards "deGoogling." A poll indicated that 6% of respondents have completely stopped using Google's products, 58% have reduced their usage, 21% have considered the idea but haven't acted, and 15% remain committed to Google. Some users are replacing Google services with alternatives like Kagi for search, Proton for email and cloud services, and Firefox for browsing. Despite these changes, many still use certain Google products, such as the Pixel phone, Google smart speakers, and services like YouTube and Google Maps, due to their effectiveness and integration. Transitioning away from Google has been reported as less daunting than expected for many users.

Winsage

September 2, 2026

Fake Software Installers Disable Windows Update and Weaken Microsoft Defender

An active malware campaign is using counterfeit software-download websites to distribute malicious installers, primarily targeting users seeking popular software. This campaign has significantly affected China-based operations of multinational corporations and Chinese-speaking users. The malware, once executed, can establish persistence, undermine security measures, and communicate with attacker-controlled infrastructure. Victims span various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, gaming, technology, logistics, government, and education. Microsoft associates this campaign with a Chinese threat cluster called Silver Fox, known for using spoofed vendor download pages to spread Gh0st RAT and ValleyRAT. The malicious websites are hosted on .com.cn and .hl.cn domains, featuring Chinese-language content. The downloaded files are dynamically generated, and upon execution, they deploy a wrapper installer that initiates the malware payload. The malware achieves persistence through scheduled tasks and interferes with Windows Update services. The campaign establishes command-and-control communication over non-standard ports, with two identified domains linked to the activity. Microsoft Defender has detected the threat and initiated containment procedures. Kaspersky reported a related malicious installer exploiting a legitimate adware application to execute a backdoor, which captures keystrokes and clipboard contents. ValleyRAT, a sophisticated implant, can collect system information, reboot the computer, capture screenshots, and transmit logs. The attackers are motivated by cyber espionage and financial gain, targeting organizations globally. A subgroup within GoldenEyeDog, known as CuboidalCanine, has also been linked to the use of ValleyRAT, particularly in the gambling industry. In June 2026, Chinese authorities addressed cybercrime cases involving a new variant of the Silver Fox trojan.

Winsage

September 2, 2026

Microsoft is finally making it easier to mute Teams without hiding from your boss

Microsoft Teams will introduce a feature allowing users to temporarily pause notifications for a designated period, aimed at reducing notification overload and enhancing focus. The rollout is expected to start this month, with full availability by early October, and will be accessible through the profile menu in the application. This feature responds to user feedback for better notification management and differs from existing mute functions and the Do Not Disturb mode by allowing users to maintain their current status. There are questions about whether the pause feature will sync across devices or operate on a per-instance basis.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Review: Crumbl And Minecraft Came Together For A Cookie Collab So Good Even Creepers Will Dig It

Crumbl has launched a collaboration with Minecraft, featuring a selection of unique cookie flavors available from August 31 through September 5, 2026. The collection includes: 1. Minecraft Lemon Poppyseed Cookie: A cookie with a poppyseed base, lemon buttercream, and lemon curd, balancing sweet and tart flavors. 2. Minecraft Cookies & Cream Sandwich: Two chocolate cookies with a purple marshmallow mousse filling, brownie bits, and cookies and cream pieces, though the cookies were slightly dry. 3. Minecraft Creeper Key Lime Sandwich: Lime cookies with a zesty lime filling, decorated with sprinkles, offering refreshing tartness but slightly dry. 4. Minecraft Grass Block Cake: A cube-shaped cake resembling a grass block, made with cinnamon brown sugar, cream cheese, and chocolate, noted for its moist texture and exceptional flavor. 5. Minecraft Cherry Blossom Cookie: A soft cookie with a cherry flavor and cherry cream cheese frosting, reminiscent of cherry cheesecake. 6. Minecraft Cookie Butter Cookie: A spiced cookie topped with cookie butter flavors, though less exciting than others. Pricing for the cookies is set at .69 for a single cookie, .49 for a four-pack, .29 for six, and .49 for a dozen. The Grass Block Cake costs an additional [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Crumbl has recently unveiled a delightful collaboration with the beloved game Minecraft, offering a unique selection of cookie flavors that promise to capture the hearts of both gamers and cookie enthusiasts alike. To assess the potential fan-favorites among these creations, a box of the new cookies was delivered for a taste test, allowing for an evaluation of their flavors, textures, and overall enjoyment. Methodology The tasting began with the Minecraft Lemon Poppyseed Cookie, a visually appealing treat featuring a poppyseed-speckled base topped with lemon buttercream and lemon curd. This cookie struck a harmonious balance between sweet and tart, reminiscent of a lemon tart but in a softer cookie format. Its savory undertones complemented the bright flavors, making it a standout choice for lemon lovers. Minecraft Cookies & Cream Sandwich Next up was the Minecraft Cookies & Cream Sandwich, which featured two chocolate cookies encasing a purple marshmallow mousse filling. The addition of brownie bits and cookies and cream pieces added texture and intrigue, elevating this classic flavor to something more unique. While the chocolate cookies were slightly dry, the overall combination provided a delightful twist on the traditional cookies and cream experience. Minecraft Creeper Key Lime Sandwich The Creeper Key Lime Sandwich showcased two layers of lime cookies with a zesty lime filling, adorned with sprinkles to represent the pixelated character. The key lime flavor offered a refreshing tartness, although the cookie sandwich format could have benefited from a more open-faced design. Despite being a bit drier than desired, the visual appeal and flavor made it a worthy contender. Minecraft Grass Block Cake Among the offerings, the Minecraft Grass Block Cake emerged as a favorite. This cube-shaped cake, designed to resemble a grass block from the game, featured layers of cinnamon brown sugar, cream cheese, and chocolate. Its moist texture and exceptional flavor combination made it a highlight of the collection, proving that Crumbl's cakes can rival their cookies in deliciousness. Minecraft Cherry Blossom Cookie The Cherry Blossom Cookie presented a delightful cherry flavor that avoided the typical artificial taste often associated with cherry-flavored treats. This soft cookie, topped with cherry cream cheese frosting, evoked the essence of a cherry cheesecake, providing a refreshing contrast to the sweeter options in the lineup. Minecraft Cookie Butter Cookie Lastly, the Minecraft Cookie Butter Cookie featured a spiced base topped with cookie butter flavors and crumbs. While it may have seemed less exciting compared to its counterparts, it still delivered a pleasant experience for fans of cookie butter. However, the nonedible chicken topper felt somewhat disconnected from the overall theme. Price and Availability Crumbl's Minecraft cookie collection is available from August 31 through September 5, 2026. Unlike typical weeks, this collaboration offers only large cookies, with pricing set at .69 for a single cookie, .49 for a four-pack, .29 for six, and .49 for a dozen. An additional 99 cents applies for the Grass Block Cake, a worthy investment for its unique flavor and presentation. With six cookies in the collection, opting for the six-pack allows for a complete tasting experience, with some cookies requiring refrigeration while others can be stored at room temperature." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99. Some cookies require refrigeration, while others can be stored at room temperature.

BetaBeacon

September 1, 2026

Qualcomm Partners with Creators of ARC X1 – a Handheld Console with a Custom Android Version

Qualcomm and ARC have partnered to launch a new high-performance gaming device, the ARC X1 handheld console. The device is optimized for modern game engines and multi-platform titles, offering increased computing power, optimized system architecture, low-latency network hardware, and a lightweight design. The ARC X1 runs on a new Android-based operating system called "OwlOS," specifically designed for gaming. Interested parties can sign up on a website for updates on availability.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Google enforcing new Android app memory limits in February

Google will implement new memory management policies for Android applications starting in February 2027, which will enforce specific memory limits based on device RAM. The defined limits are: - For 4GB devices: 2GB in the foreground, 1GB for user-perceived services, 1GB in the background. - For 6GB devices: 2.25GB in the foreground, 1.25GB for user-perceived services, 1.25GB in the background. - For 8GB devices: 2.25GB in the foreground, 1.5GB for user-perceived services, 1.5GB in the background. - For 12GB devices: 3.25GB in the foreground, 1.75GB for user-perceived services, 1.75GB in the background. - For 16GB devices: 4.25GB in the foreground, 2GB for user-perceived services, 2GB in the background. Devices with more than 16GB of RAM will be largely exempt from these restrictions. The changes are motivated by RAM shortages and the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on memory availability, aiming to maintain device performance and user experience. Apps exceeding these memory limits may face reduced functionality or removal from the Google Play Store.

Winsage

August 31, 2026

Whatever happened to Minesweeper and 3D Pinball on Windows?

Microsoft included the Solitaire Collection with Windows 10 and Windows 11, while many classic games required separate downloads. The company has shifted focus towards its Xbox platform, leading to the discontinuation of games like 3D Pinball: Space Cadet due to technical challenges. Raymond Chen noted that the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit architecture caused significant issues for 3D Pinball, including a bug where the ball would pass through objects. Ultimately, the decision was made to exclude Pinball from the product lineup to avoid the complexities of porting its code.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

This feature keeps distracting spam calls away while using Android Auto

Google's Call Screen feature allows users to manage unknown calls by delegating the initial interaction to Call Assist, which identifies the caller and provides context. This feature is now integrated with Android Auto, although the screening process itself remains a function of the phone. Call Screen operates in two modes: manual, where users can choose to screen calls, and automatic, which silently screens certain unknown calls and hangs up on spam. Call Screen works directly on the device without needing Wi-Fi or mobile data, and call audio and transcripts are not stored in the user's Google Account. To set up Call Screen, users must do so through the Phone by Google app. Compatibility with Android Auto and Call Screen varies by phone model and geographical location, with automatic screening primarily available on Pixel phones in the U.S. Manual screening is accessible in several countries, and some selected Android devices may also support it. Not all call screening features are the same across different brands, and practical limitations exist for automatic Call Screen, such as functionality issues when connected via Bluetooth or while roaming.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

The AI memory crunch has reached the apps on your phone

Google will implement new memory usage regulations for Android applications starting in February 2027, due to a global RAM shortage. Apps exceeding the set memory limits may be throttled, terminated, or face reduced visibility on the Play Store. The memory thresholds vary based on device specifications, with specific limits for foreground, background, and bitmap memory usage. Non-compliance will result in penalties affecting app distribution and visibility. The memory crisis is attributed to increased demand from the AI data center industry, leading to rising RAM costs. The new limits will first apply to Pixel devices with Android 17, and other manufacturers are expected to follow. Additionally, by April 2027, all apps on the Play Store must support zero-tap credential restoration for users transitioning to new devices.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Google made Android 17’s best feature a Pixel 11-exclusive. This free app does it better

Android 17 features a Digital Wellbeing tool called Pause Point, which prompts users to reflect on their app usage but is only available on the Pixel 11 series. The Stroll app encourages users to earn screen time through physical activity, allowing them to accumulate time for using distracting applications by walking. It integrates step tracking from a phone’s counter or a smartwatch and allows manual input of steps via Google Health. Stroll restricts specific URLs and tracks usage streaks, promoting a healthier relationship with exercise and digital consumption. Unlike traditional app timers that warn users when time is running out, Stroll motivates users to engage in physical activity before accessing social media. The app also features a “time bank” for saving unused screen time. Users have reported reduced social media usage and a shift towards more enriching activities.