birthday Archives

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

First look at JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in ‘American Love Story,’ ‘A Minecraft Movie’ sets streaming premiere date, and more of today’s top stories

Ryan Murphy Productions has released initial camera test photos for the limited series American Love Story, featuring actors Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The animated film A Minecraft Movie will premiere on Warner Bros.' streaming service, Max, on June 20, with Jack Black voicing a character. The Palm Springs ShortFest will take place from June 24 to 30, featuring juries including Gold Derby's editor-in-chief, Debra Birnbaum, and offering five Oscar-qualifying awards. King Charles III has knighted Gary Oldman and awarded David Beckham honors, while Samantha Morton received a CBE. Ryan Reynolds is collaborating with Paramount Animation and director Josh Cooley for an adaptation of the children's book I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story by Mark Pett. Matthew McConaughey is set to star in a new film adaptation of the private detective character Mike Hammer, created by Mickey Spillane. Juliana Canfield will star in the thriller F.A.S.T., alongside Brandon Sklenar, in a story about a former special forces commando confronting CIA-protected drug dealers.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

Pixel VIPs app makes an early appearance on the Play Store

The Google Pixel VIPs app has launched on the Play Store for select Pixel phone users, serving as a precursor to the upcoming Pixel VIPs home screen widget. This widget aims to consolidate information about preferred contacts into a single interface. The app allows users to connect with important contacts, view their last call and message, real-time location, and activity suggestions. It also enables selected contacts to bypass Do Not Disturb mode. The widget will support up to eight contacts, include birthday reminders, and offer notes functionality, with indications of WhatsApp integration. However, downloading the app does not currently provide access to the Pixel VIPs widget, which will require a future update or server-side change.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

You got Nightreigned: Elden Ring’s spinoff is the most aggravating, player-hostile FromSoft game I’ve played, but I keep staying up past 3 AM for ‘one more run’

The author has logged 42 hours playing Elden Ring Nightreign, often sacrificing sleep to sync with friends during the pre-launch phase. Despite its punishing difficulty and reliance on random number generation, the game captivates the author, who finds joy in its challenges and surprises. Key aspects that keep the author returning include the game's unique pace, unexpected twists, and the camaraderie fostered by playing with friends. The author expresses eagerness for potential DLC and values the rewarding nature of victories amidst the struggles faced in the game.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Pixel VIPs could be the Contacts app upgrade you didn’t know you needed (APK teardown)

Google is testing a new feature for its Contacts app called the Pixel VIPs widget, which consolidates information for up to eight selected contacts. The widget displays recent calls and messages (including from third-party apps), real-time location updates, birthday reminders, and a notes section. It is sized at 4×1 and can be added to the home screen for easy access. Users can set it up by navigating to the Contacts app, selecting the Organize tab, and tapping on Pixel VIPs. The feature is currently in development, with a potential public release coinciding with the upcoming Android 16 QPR1 update.

AppWizard

May 25, 2025

Double Fine dev embarks on a quest to discover Full Throttle’s true release date: ‘Perhaps the best 30th birthday present I could give Full Throttle was a real birthday’

Full Throttle, an adventure game by LucasArts, marked its 30th anniversary, leading to an investigation into its release date. Conflicting sources suggested various dates: April 30, April 20, and May 19, 1995. Double Fine Productions leans towards April 30, but that date fell on a Sunday, making it unlikely for a retail release. Investigation into original release files indicated modifications as late as May 2, 1995. An advertisement in The Daily Record on May 19, 1995, promoted the game, but staggered releases and miscommunication were common at the time. CompUSA expected copies by May 5, but they didn't reach shelves until at least May 18. Silk noted that requests for hints about the game began to appear after May 19, 1995, suggesting that this date may mark when the game entered public awareness.

BetaBeacon

May 21, 2025

Google just laid out its game plan to make you (and developers) care about Android XR

Google showcased how apps like Google Maps, Messages, Calendar, and Photos will function on Android XR glasses.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

LEGO Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fighting Ring

The LEGO Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fighting Ring set is designed for children aged 10 and above and allows them to recreate battle scenes from the Minecraft video game. It features a functional fighting ring, score-keepers, a mansion facade, a removable chest, and a weapons rack. The set includes characters like Steve, Garrett, Henry, a baby zombie, a chicken jockey, and a great hog. It comes with interactive accessories such as weapons and potions, and the LEGO Builder app provides 3D instructions for building. The set is currently priced at £35.99, down from £44.99.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

‘Murderbot,’ ‘The Brutalist,’ ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ ‘Duster,’ and the best to stream this weekend

Apple TV+ has released a new sci-fi series titled "Murderbot," adapted from Martha Wells’ "Murderbot Diaries." The show features Alexander Skarsgård as a self-aware cyborg tasked with protecting scientists on an uninhabited planet while secretly binge-watching a space opera. The first two episodes are now available for streaming. FX's "Welcome to Wrexham," a docuseries about a Welsh football club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, returns for its fourth season on Hulu. " Duster," an action drama set in the 1970s, stars Josh Holloway and is now streaming on Max. Amazon's "Overcompensating," a college comedy created by and starring Benito Skinner, follows a closeted freshman and his outsider friend on a journey of self-discovery, with all eight episodes available on Prime Video. "The Brutalist," a historical drama starring Adrien Brody, is now streaming on Max after winning three Academy Awards. The Apple TV+ documentary "Deaf President Now!" recounts a 1988 protest at Gallaudet University for a Deaf president, directed by Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim. "The Quilters," a documentary short about incarcerated men making quilts for foster children, is available on Netflix. The "Minecraft Movie," featuring Jack Black, is now available for purchase on Amazon. Disney's live-action "Snow White" can now be watched on VOD platforms despite previous controversies surrounding its production.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Google Calendar is getting closer to its Material 3 Expressive makeover (APK teardown)

Google is updating its Calendar app by integrating elements from the Material 3 Expressive design language, with a full rollout expected with Android 16. Recent changes in version 2025.19.0-757507108-release include: - Rounded corners for a softer interface. - Thicker lines separating days for better visibility. - The introduction of the Google Sans Flex font. - Full names of the days of the week instead of single-letter abbreviations. - A redesigned floating action button (FAB) that now includes 'Birthday' as an option and features text within the button itself. These updates aim to enhance the user experience across Android and Wear OS platforms.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Jack Black sets new record with A Minecraft Movie’s “absolute banger” song

Jack Black's jingle 'Steve's Lava Chicken' from A Minecraft Movie has entered Billboard's Hot 100 at number 78, making it the shortest song ever to achieve this milestone at 34 seconds. Co-written by Black and director Jared Hess, the song is part of the official soundtrack and has surpassed Kid Cudi's previous record-holder, 'Beautiful Trip,' by three seconds. It has also reached the top 10 on Billboard's Hot Rock Songs chart. Black performs four tracks on the soundtrack, including 'I Feel Alive,' 'Ode to Dennis,' and 'Birthday Rap,' the latter featuring Jason Momoa.