beta release

AppWizard
April 4, 2026
All three titles of the Jak and Daxter series have been ported to PC, with Jak 3's recent beta release completing the trilogy's transition. Players can enjoy the series in a "feature complete and fully completable" format, although Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is not yet in beta. Jak 2 and Jak 3 have minor audio bugs and graphical inconsistencies. Enhancements include widescreen support, 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, and modding capabilities, but players need original copies of the games for installation.
AppWizard
March 25, 2026
Google is testing enhancements for the Gemini Android app to replicate the user-friendly interface of its web version, including a "Settings & help" menu. The latest beta release, version 17.11.54, features a user interface similar to the mobile web version, with planned additions like "Scheduled actions," "My stuff," and a new Notebooks section. Gemini will also show the last-used extension in the query header and may relocate the model switcher to the app header to declutter the input field. Updated icons for the feedback row are also being introduced.
AppWizard
February 27, 2026
Android 17 Beta 2 is now available for developers, introducing new features and bug fixes, including solutions for spontaneous reboots and interface freezes. Key features include the ability to create floating app bubbles, Cross-device app Handoff for seamless task continuation across devices, a new system-level contact picker for temporary read-only access to contacts, expanded SMS OTP protection, and enhanced local network privacy. The update also includes an EyeDropper API for color requests without needing screen capture permissions. Enrollment in the Android Beta Program is required for Pixel device users to access the update, which is rolling out via OTA, with options for sideloading or manual flashing. The stable release of Android 17 is expected in mid-2026.
AppWizard
February 16, 2026
Android 17 beta 1 was released on February 13, 2026, introducing several UI changes to the Pixel Launcher. The home screen search bar has a slimmer, customizable design, allowing users to replace the AI Mode shortcut with tools like Gemini Live or Translate. Users can now remove the At a Glance widget from the home screen. Additional minor enhancements include a refreshed brightness icon in Quick Settings and improved access to volume panel settings.
AppWizard
October 15, 2025
Google is introducing a new screen in the October Google Play services update for Android 16 that informs users about applications checking the system’s Advanced Protection status. This feature is part of the Advanced Protection mode, which enhances device security. The screen displays a list of applications that have queried the operating system to determine if Advanced Protection is enabled, allowing apps to adjust their security protocols accordingly. Initially, only Google’s own applications, such as Phone, Messages, and Chrome, accessed this status information. The feature is currently active on a single device in a beta release of Android 16, with plans for broader rollout in the future.
AppWizard
September 25, 2025
The Horizon OS v81 PTC update allows users to launch Quest Link PC VR games directly from the Horizon OS library, eliminating the need for the outdated Rift Dash interface. Quest Link enables Meta's headsets to function as PC VR headsets via USB or Wi-Fi. The Public Test Channel (PTC) provides beta versions of upcoming updates, which may not all transition to stable releases. With the new update, PC VR Store applications are displayed as 'PCVR' in the Horizon OS library, and users can access the Horizon OS interface directly with the Meta button on the Touch controller. This update improves the user experience by streamlining the process of launching PC VR games, but it currently only applies to Meta's PC VR Store games, not those purchased on Steam.
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