BBC Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

6 best streaming apps for Android phones: our picks for TV, anime, film, and more

Android users have numerous options for streaming films and TV shows. A VPN can enhance the streaming experience by providing access to more content while ensuring privacy. Netflix offers a vast library of films and series, including games, with an entry-level plan starting at .99 and a premium tier for Ultra HD at .99. Disney Plus features exclusive Marvel content and family-friendly classics, with an ad-supported tier at .99 and a premium plan at .99. BBC iPlayer is a free service supported by a license fee, offering classic shows and live TV, including major sporting events. Mubi curates cult films and provides a unique viewing experience, along with Mubi Go, which includes weekly cinema tickets. Crunchyroll is the leading platform for anime, offering new episodes on the same day they air in Japan, with a premium tier priced at .99 per month. Apple TV+ focuses on original content with high production values, priced at .99 per month.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Roblox launches new Learning Hub

Roblox has launched a Learning Hub that covers subjects such as mathematics, English, and computer science, with plans for future expansion. The platform has partnered with BBC's Bitesize to create a geography-focused experience called Planet Planners, aimed at providing interactive learning opportunities for students during summer break. The Learning Hub is designed to offer subject- and grade-level-appropriate content to engage students in learning. Roblox has also introduced a new Licensing Hub to further enhance its offerings.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Chinese FMV game about getting ‘revenge on gold diggers’ plunges the country into online gender tumult

A new Chinese FMV game titled "Revenge on Gold Diggers" has sparked nationwide debate over gender dynamics and misogyny. Players assume the role of Wu Yulun, a man seeking revenge against women who manipulate men into losing their fortunes. The game has faced criticism for reinforcing harmful stereotypes about women, with detractors labeling it as misogynistic rather than anti-fraud. Following the backlash, the creator, Mark Wu, was banned from Bilibili, and the game's name was changed to "Emotional Fraud Simulator" shortly after its release. The game's narrative parallels real-life events, including the case of streamer Pangmao, whose death was linked to financial exploitation by his girlfriend, further fueling online vitriol against women. Critics argue that the game distorts reality and promotes a regressive agenda rather than fostering meaningful discussions about relationships and financial exploitation.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

BBC Earth Debuts Building With Dinosaurs on Minecraft

BBC Earth has collaborated with Minecraft Worlds and Minecraft Education to launch a gaming experience called Building With Dinosaurs, inspired by Walking With Dinosaurs. Players take on the role of paleontologists, excavating to find dino-blocks to construct models of Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops. A downloadable fact sheet provides educational details about these dinosaurs, including height, weight, diet, and habitat. The experience is available to schools worldwide. The original Walking With Dinosaurs series has returned after 25 years and is available on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. and PBS platforms in the U.S.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Minecraft’s New Villains—This Hostile Mob Steals Everything

Cyber criminals are targeting Minecraft's player base, particularly the 65% of players under 21, who are often less aware of cyber threats. A recent report from Check Point reveals a sophisticated malware campaign that embeds malicious software in counterfeit Minecraft mods shared on platforms like GitHub. This malware operates in stages, starting with a Java downloader, followed by a stealer, and an advanced tool to harvest sensitive information such as passwords and cryptocurrency wallet details. The campaign is linked to Russian-speaking attackers and uses a distribution-as-a-service model to spread malicious links. Disguised as legitimate cheat tools, these files install additional malware on users' devices, capturing credentials from browsers and applications, and sending data back to attackers. To protect against these threats, it is advised to download mods only from trusted sources, be skeptical of cheat tools, keep antivirus software updated, and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

BBC Earth and Minecraft Education bring new Building With Dinosaurs gaming adventure

BBC Earth and Minecraft Education are launching a new gaming adventure called Building With Dinosaurs, inspired by the series Walking With Dinosaurs, which will be released on June 24th. This initiative allows students to act as palaeontologists, excavating dino-blocks to construct models of Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops. A downloadable fact sheet will provide information about these dinosaurs, including their height, weight, diet, and habitat. The project aims to integrate STEM skills into education and enhance students' understanding of palaeontology.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

‘Minecraft,’ ‘Frozen’ the musical, plus more movies and TV shows to stream this weekend

New movies available for streaming include "A Minecraft Movie" on Max, featuring Jason Momoa and Jennifer Coolidge, and "Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical" on Disney+, starring Samantha Barks. The documentary "Sally," about NASA pioneer Sally Ride, is available on Disney+ and Hulu. The BBC docuseries "Walking with Dinosaurs" has been revived and is available on PBS. The action-comedy series "Peacemaker," starring John Cena, is available on Max. "The Accountant 2," featuring Ben Affleck, is now streaming on Prime Video.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Minecraft fan wins Latitude festival poetry competition for kids

A seven-year-old boy named Myles from Wymondham, Norfolk, won a poetry competition for children with his poem titled "A Friend Like Steve." He will perform it at the Latitude festival on July 24. The competition was organized in collaboration with the BBC and was open to children aged seven to eleven from Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire. Myles' poem was praised by judge Luke Wright for its subject matter related to Minecraft. Two runners-up, eleven-year-olds Zara and Eleanor, were also selected to read their works at the festival. The competition aimed to showcase the creativity of young people, with a focus on the theme of friendship. The Latitude Festival will take place from July 24 to 27, 2025, featuring headliners like Sting and Snow Patrol.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’: A ‘bad’ movie that I loved every second of

Many parents accompanying their children to see A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, experienced an electric atmosphere in theaters, with enthusiastic teens cheering and clapping. Since its launch in 2011, Minecraft has become the best-selling video game globally, known for its sandbox style that fosters creativity and collaboration. The game holds cherished memories for many teens and young adults, who often revisit it in what is referred to as a “two-week phase.” The excitement for A Minecraft Movie is evident, with teens engaging by reciting lines from trailers and wearing Minecraft gear. The film incorporates themes of friendship, adventure, and creativity, appealing to both longtime players and newcomers.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Cast And Character Guide: From Jack Black’s Steve To Jennifer Coolidge’s Marlene

A Minecraft Movie is set to release in 2025, featuring a narrative where a group of heroes, including Steve (voiced by Jack Black), Garrett Garrison (Jason Momoa), Natalie (Emma Myers), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), and Dawn (Danielle Brooks), must save the Overworld from the threat of Piglins from the Nether. The film has a star-studded cast with notable performances from each actor. The opening weekend projection for the film exceeds 0 million in the U.S.