books Archives

BetaBeacon

December 3, 2025

Best Android Applications and Games of 2025 Google Play Awards Focus Friend and Pokémon TCG Pocket

- Focus Friend was chosen as the Best App of 2025 by Google for productivity management and personal growth. - Pokémon TCG Pocket was named the Best Game of 2025 by Google for its design and experience. - Luminar photo editing software and Disney Speedstorm were awarded for Multi-Device Excellence by Google.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

How to complete Building a Library in Arc Raiders

In the Building a Library quest in Arc Raiders, players must locate three specific books within the Library in the Buried City, which is north of Marano Park. The books include a detective novel, a romance story, and an adventure tale, all labeled as 'Library Books' and found in the same room. Players should first find a display stand with yellow books near a window overlooking the metro station entrance, then ascend the stairs to the balcony for another stand, and finally search a display stand on the east side of the balcony for the last book. Players need to collect all three books in one trip and can use the nearby subway station for a quick exit to deliver the books back to Apollo. The Library may be monitored by enemies, so stealth is advised.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

25 gifts around $25 for the PC gamers in your life

The text provides a curated list of gift ideas for PC gamers, focusing on practical yet delightful options that are budget-friendly. The suggested gifts include: - Stardew Valley Mug - Doom Shotgun Shell Shot-Glasses - Elden Ring Living Pot Lamp - House Gem Mugwarmer - OXO Electronics Cleaning Brush - LED Light Bars - LEGO Botanicals Lucky Bamboo - Dungeon Crawler Carl Books - Monitor-top Shelves - RGB Headset & Controller Stand - Magnetic-closure Cord Organizers - Odistar Desktop Vacuum - GameSir Nova Lite Controller - Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers - Miniature Retro PC - Recycled Circuit Board Keycaps - Gamertag LED Light - FF14 Neon Job Sign - Memory Gel Wrist Rests - Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1 - Ecarke Macro Keypad - Powered USB Hub - Stream Deck Under-Desk Mount

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

If you’re an avid e-reader fan, you absolutely must check out this 100% free app that has tens of thousands of books, audiobooks, and magazines, and it won’t inundate you with ads or sell your data, either

The Libby app allows users to access library books from home, requiring a valid library card for setup. It has evolved from its original version, Overdrive, and integrates well with Android devices. Users can borrow books easily through the app, which is available on the Google Play Store. E-readers like Onyx Boox and Bigme are recommended for use with Libby, particularly the Boox Palma. Transferring library data from an old e-reader to a new one is simple with the Libby app. The app offers various categories for browsing books, a waitlist feature for checked-out titles, and a search function for specific authors or titles. Recent updates include an AI assistant for discovering new books. Libby is ad-free and prioritizes user privacy, making it a valuable resource for readers, especially during the holiday season.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Google Play 2025 Awards: Focus Friend wins best app, Pokémon TCG Pocket best game

Google Play has announced its selections for the best Android applications and games of 2025. The Best App award went to Focus Friend, developed by Hank Green, recognized for its gamified productivity features. The Best Game award was given to Pokémon TCG Pocket, a mobile adaptation of the trading card game. Luminar won the multi-device Best App award, while Disney Speedstorm was named the multi-device Best Game. Additional winners included: - Best for Fun: Edits - Best for Personal Growth: Focus Friend - Best Everyday Essential: Wiser – 15 Minute Audio Books - Best Hidden Gem: Pingo AI Language Learning - Best for Families: ABCmouse 2: Kids Learning Game - Best for Watches: SleepisolBio - Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes - Best for Cars: SoundCloud - Best for XR Headsets: Calm - Best Multiplayer: Dunk City Dynasty - Best Pick Up and Play: Candy Crush Solitaire - Best Indie: Chants of Sennaar - Best Story: Disco Elysium - Best Ongoing: Wuthering Waves - Best on Play Pass: DREDGE - Best for Google Play Games on PC: Odin: Valhalla Rising

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

With Escape From Tarkov 1.0’s first week in the books, its director lays out what’s next for the extraction game

Escape From Tarkov 1.0 has been live for a week, receiving mixed responses due to technical issues like server crashes and competition from new games. Despite predominantly positive feedback on the content, the game's current Steam rating is 47% positive, indicating user frustration. COO Nikita Buyanov remains optimistic and plans to focus on fixes and enhancements. Upcoming content includes the return of winter in Tarkov, new storyline quests, and a new event, with a detailed announcement expected in December. Players have a week to purchase the game on Steam at a 15% discount.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

The PC Gamer 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

- Gaming Keyboard: Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 - Price: (originally ) - Music: The Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 - Price: Not specified - Gaming Headset: Razer BlackShark V2 X - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Gaming Mouse: Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless - Price: Not specified (originally 0) - Gaming Router: TP-Link Archer GE400 - Price: 0 - Board Game: Various Options - Price: Not specified - Art Book: The Art of Assassin's Creed Shadows - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Pins: Mini Stardew Valley Pins - Price: + - USB Hub: Acer USB Hub - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Cookbook: The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Mug: The Sims Custom Personality Traits Mug - Price: .49+ - Toy: Fidget Cube - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - RGB Lighting: LED Strip Lights - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Manga: Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Lamp: Assassin's Creed Infinity Light - Price: Not specified - Art: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Print - Price: + - Accessory: The Sims Plumbob Headphone Attachment - Price: .38 - Stickers: Elden Ring Stickers - Price: + - Speakers: Logitech Z313 - Price: Not specified - Mouse Pad: Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Gengar Edition - Price: Not specified - Controller: GameSir G7 Pro - Price: Not specified - Books: Assassin's Creed Book Collection - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Toy/Decor: Hollow Knight Building Set - Price: Not specified - Desk Accessory: Cloud Foot Rest - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - SSD: SSK Portable 1TB SSD - Price: Not specified - Wall Art: Displate: Lunar Princess Ranni - Price: + - Plush: Hollow Knight: Silksong Hornet Plush - Price: + - Lamp: Frostmourne Resin Lamp - Price: Not specified - Microphone: HyperX SoloCast - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Gaming Headset: Logitech G733 Lightspeed - Price: 5 (originally 0) - Gaming Monitor: LG UltraGear 27GS50F-B - Price: 7 - Gaming Chair: Secretlab Titan Evo - Price: 9 - PC Case: Pyramid Mini-ITX PC Case - Price: (originally ) - Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 - Price: 0 (originally 0) - Soundtrack: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Soundtrack - Price: Not specified - Music: Hero of Time: The Music of Ocarina of Time - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Music: Hollow Knight Original Soundtrack - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Munchkin Deluxe - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Card Game: Magic: The Gathering Fallout Commander Deck - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - D&D: Hollow Metal D&D Dice Set - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Marvel X-Men Dice Throne - Price: Not specified

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Marvel Contest of Champions Makes the Jump to PC Gaming

The game "Contest of Champions" has consistently aligned its roster and events with developments in the Marvel universe across various media. The game's success is significantly attributed to its vibrant community, which the developers view as integral to the game's longevity. Community members, including those who have transitioned to the development team, provide valuable insights that influence game updates and expansions. Events like Summoners Fest allow developers to gain a deeper understanding of player experiences, which informs the creation of new Champions and the enhancement of existing ones. The community's feedback has led to formalized game rules and improved engagement with Champions.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Bad battery life? Google will name-and-shame Android apps that drain your phone faster than expected

Google is overhauling the Google Play Store to address Android apps that excessively drain device batteries. New regulations require developers to minimize unnecessary background activities and adhere to stricter guidelines on how often their apps can wake devices or access system resources. Non-compliant apps will receive warnings on their Play Store listings, and their visibility may be reduced. A new measurement system, developed with Samsung, tracks "excessive partial wake locks," which monitor how long apps keep devices awake while the screen is off. If an app exceeds a threshold of 5% of total user sessions with excessive wake locks over a 28-day period, it will trigger notifications on the developers' dashboard. Developers must rectify these issues by March 1, 2026, to keep their apps on the Play Store. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency regarding app resource utilization and improve battery performance across Android devices.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Wiser – 15 minutes Audio Books For Android

Wiser is an app designed for personal and professional growth, offering audio summaries of impactful books in 15 minutes, with a rating of 4.6 stars from over a million users. It covers topics like productivity, business, negotiation, finance, health, and relationships. Features include customizable reading options, the ability to share quotes, set learning challenges, and a “Spaced Repetition” tool for memory retention. The app provides personalized recommendations and allows offline access to content. Users can rate and review books, contributing to a community of learners.