calling Archives

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

6 Free Apps To Automate Tasks on Android

In daily life, people engage in repetitive phone actions that shape their routines, such as turning off Wi-Fi or silencing notifications. Android devices offer basic automation features, but true automation potential lies in apps that allow personalized routines. Samsung Galaxy users can utilize Modes and Routines, integrated into One UI 5.1, to create preset profiles and custom automations based on triggers like time and location. Google’s Action Blocks enable users to create customizable shortcuts for complex tasks with a single tap, leveraging Google Assistant. Automate by LlamaLab uses a visual flowchart interface for routine creation, allowing users to design automation flows with over 320 building blocks available. aProfiles focuses on profile-based automation, adjusting settings based on time and location, while IFTTT allows users to create applets for connected services, with limitations on custom applets for free users. MacroDroid offers a three-part structure for automations, with over 100 triggers and actions, and a template library for pre-made macros, while the free version limits users to five macros.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Minecraft Bedrock Realms crash over the weekend; Reddit and social media erupt with complaints – The Times of India

Minecraft Bedrock Realms experienced significant connectivity issues over the weekend, preventing thousands of players from accessing their worlds. Reports of server connection failures and loading issues began on Saturday afternoon, with over 4,000 players reporting difficulties at the peak. Players expressed frustration on social media and forums, sharing their experiences and concerns about the outage, particularly during weekends when they typically play. Some players highlighted issues connecting with friends across different platforms, while others voiced dissatisfaction with the subscription value due to the outage occurring during peak gaming times.

Winsage

January 7, 2026

“Microslop”: Infuriating Video Sums Up How Microsoft Is Ruining Windows With AI

Programmer Ryan Fleury criticized Windows 11's AI-powered search feature in a video, highlighting a suggestion that users ask, “My mouse pointer is too small,” which yielded no results after a ten-second wait. In contrast, a simple search for the word “test” produced three relevant outcomes. Microsoft is committed to enhancing Windows 11 with AI, having ended support for Windows 10 to encourage users to transition to the new system featuring a virtual assistant called Copilot. New features include a Copilot icon on the taskbar and integration into Windows Explorer for generating document summaries. However, security concerns persist due to past incidents where sensitive information was saved in unsecured locations. Discontent with Microsoft's AI direction has grown since the discontinuation of Windows 10, and CEO Satya Nadella's comments against the term “slop” have led to increased use of the term “Microslop” on social media. Fleury's sarcastic remarks about AI's coding capabilities reflect skepticism about the effectiveness of AI in delivering quality results.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Minecraft star Jack Black reveals he turned down playing Syndrome in Pixar classic The Incredibles, and now he regrets it: “Why was I being so difficult?”

Jack Black was offered the role of Syndrome in Pixar's animated film, The Incredibles, but declined the offer. He later expressed admiration for the film, calling it "one of the best movies ever made."

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

Longmont events for Friday, Jan. 2: Minecraft Scavenger Hunt at Longmont Public Library

Families can participate in a Minecraft scavenger hunt at the Longmont Public Library at 9 a.m., with prizes available until January 4 or while supplies last. Sugar Britches will perform at Bricks on Main at 6 p.m., and admission is free. Bootstrap Brewing Company will host the Midnight Hour concert at 6 p.m. featuring Motown music. On Saturday at 8:30 a.m., residents can drop off holiday trees for free chipping at the Town of Lyons Utility Building. A concert celebrating Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special will take place at Bootstrap Brewing Company at 11 a.m. The Wolf Moon Night Hike will occur at 4:30 p.m. at Ron Stewart Preserve. "Nunsense" will be performed at Jesters Dinner Theatre on Sunday at 2 p.m., with ticket prices varying. Adult Drag Bingo will be held at Left Hand Brewing at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bilingual storytime for children ages 5 and under will take place at Longmont Public Library on Monday at 10 a.m. An open play session for children ages 4 and under will be hosted at the library at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. A drop-in writers group will meet at the library at 6 p.m. on Monday. A watercolor class for participants aged 18 and older will be held at the Firehouse Art Center at noon on Tuesday. The Longmont Public Library will offer a Silent Hour for teens at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Dungeons & Dragons sessions will take place at the library at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Sketch Club for teen artists will be held at Carbon Valley Regional Library at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. A Make and Take activity will be hosted in the Children’s Area of the Longmont Public Library at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

Hytale lead says “it’s a damn miracle we were able to salvage” the once-canceled Minecraft-like: “It should have taken years to fix, but within weeks, we got the game into a playable, fun state”

Hytale is undergoing significant transformation to become fully playable, as shared by co-director Simon Collins-Laflamme. Initially, the game was described as "barely playable" with all basic functionalities broken. The development team has made rapid progress, achieving in weeks what typically takes much longer. Following Riot Games' cancellation of Hytale in summer 2025, Collins-Laflamme reacquired the game and plans to release it in early access on January 13, 2026. The development strategy focuses on trusting the team and minimizing distractions. Hytale will feature unique crafting mechanics inspired by Terraria, while Collins-Laflamme acknowledges Minecraft as one of the greatest games.

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

Google’s AI Android Updates Spark Phone App Glitches on Pixel Devices

The phone app within Google's ecosystem has faced significant user frustration due to recent updates that disrupt essential functions like dialing and contact management. Users report issues such as the app failing to register incoming calls and cumbersome navigation following software patches. AI features introduced to enhance user experience often misfire, raising privacy concerns. The Pixel series has experienced bugs, including one that automatically declined calls. Updates to Google's search algorithm have inadvertently affected app performance, leading to instabilities. Monthly system updates prioritize new features over rigorous testing, resulting in a bloated app with sporadic functionality. Policy changes regarding data handling complicate app interactions, making simple tasks more laborious. Google's rapid release cycle has led to volatility in app performance, with security patches sometimes introducing new bugs. The integration of third-party services has created inconsistencies, and the overall Android ecosystem suffers from misalignment between updates. Users express dissatisfaction with the prioritization of aesthetics over functionality in updates. Critics argue that Google's approach mirrors past missteps, and experts recommend proactive user measures and improved developer practices to enhance app reliability.

Winsage

December 31, 2025

Microsoft in 2025: year in review

In 2025, Microsoft faced challenges including a slow migration to Windows 11 after the end of Windows 10, with many users opting to stay on the older system due to free Extended Security Updates. The anticipated rush to Windows 11 did not occur, partly because many older PCs did not meet the new system requirements. Microsoft increased its focus on AI integration in Windows 11, but this initiative faced backlash from users concerned about unnecessary features and existing bugs. The annual upgrade brought only minor improvements, and persistent bugs continued to affect user experience, particularly for gamers, who faced disruptions amid rising competition from platforms like SteamOS. Additionally, a significant price increase for Xbox Game Pass led to subscriber cancellations, although revenue remained high. Xbox console sales dropped by 70% year-on-year, while the Surface hardware division did not achieve the same success as the previous year, with new devices failing to generate excitement.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Users confused by sudden terms of use update at Vietnam’s most popular messaging app Zalo

Thanh Hung, a sales employee in Ho Chi Minh City, was prompted to accept new terms of service on Zalo, a messaging platform, under the threat of account deletion. He accepted without reading the details due to urgency. Thanh Tuan from Hanoi also faced a similar situation, expressing concern over potential hidden clauses and opting to decline the new terms, risking account deletion in 45 days. Zalo, with over 80 million users, updated its terms on December 26, introducing a comprehensive user agreement and a separate agreement for its social network. Users can either accept all terms or decline specific services. The sudden notification has led to discussions among users, with some feeling pressured to agree. The update is seen as a response to the upcoming Law on Protection of Personal Data, which imposes penalties for violations. Key changes in the terms include a distinction between the messaging platform and the social network, a definition of "user content," and the introduction of Zalo ID for enhanced security. Zalo states that data collection serves its business operations.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Shacknews Best PC Game of 2025

Battlefield 6 has been awarded the Shacknews Award for Best PC Game of 2025. The game requires a minimum of an RTX 2060 or an RX 5600 XT for optimal performance. It supports multiple input methods, with a keyboard providing enhanced precision in gameplay.