Canary build Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Your next Pixel update could make it easier to check your Now Playing history (APK teardown)

Google has introduced a dedicated app icon for the Now Playing feature in the latest Android Canary build for its Pixel lineup. This icon directs users to the Now Playing history page within the Android System Intelligence app, which was previously accessible via a widget shortcut. The feature identifies songs playing in the background and allows users to review a history of recognized tracks. Currently, the app icon is disabled by default, and there are no plans to extend the Now Playing functionality beyond the Pixel devices.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Android’s new ‘Expanded’ dark mode darkens apps without a dark theme — but there’s a catch

Android is introducing a new feature that allows users to enable a dark theme in applications that do not have native support for it, as part of the second Android Canary build. This update includes two modes under Settings > Display & touch > Dark theme: Standard mode, which applies the dark theme to compatible applications, and Expanded mode, which automatically applies the dark theme to a wider range of apps. The Expanded dark mode functions similarly to the “override force-dark” toggle in Developer Options but is more effective across various applications. Users may experience visual inconsistencies in some apps and can revert to Standard mode if needed. The feature has been anticipated since its initial discovery over a year ago, and while it is live in the Canary build, its rollout to Beta or Stable channels is uncertain, with hopes for its debut in the upcoming second quarterly release of Android 16 in December.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

You can finally run Doom and other graphical apps in Android’s Linux Terminal

The July 2025 Android Canary build of the Linux Terminal app introduces the ability to run graphical Linux applications, allowing users to interact with a graphical interface via a new “Display” button. By typing ‘weston’, users can access a graphical environment with Weston preinstalled. Users can also enable hardware acceleration by creating an empty file named virglrenderer in the /sdcard/linux directory, which enhances performance for running demanding Linux software. The feature is currently available in the Canary build, with speculation about its rollout to Beta or Stable channels in the second quarterly release of Android 16, expected in December.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

Microsoft is testing new features to make your Android phone work better with Windows PCs

Microsoft is enhancing its Phone Link application to allow users to remotely lock their PCs and access clipboard content from Android devices. Users need to manually activate features like using the phone as a webcam or accessing files through Windows File Explorer. The new clipboard feature allows connected Android phones to retrieve text and images copied on the PC, but it currently syncs content only from the PC to the phone. This feature is especially beneficial for Pixel users, who previously lacked seamless clipboard integration. The app also includes a lock PC button for remote security, which requires activation in Windows settings.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Android’s Desktop Mode Now Features App Pinning to Taskbar

Google is enhancing Android Desktop Mode with a new "pin to taskbar" feature that allows users to pin frequently used applications directly to the desktop taskbar for quick access. This feature can be found in an app's context menu within Desktop Mode, enabling users to easily add or remove app icons from the dock. The enhancement aims to improve app management and user experience, positioning Android as a more competitive desktop platform. The feature is currently available in the latest Android Canary build based on Android 16, but details about its official rollout in the stable version are not yet available.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Android’s Desktop Mode gets a handy shortcut to pin your favorite apps to the taskbar

Google is enhancing Android's Desktop Mode by introducing a "pin to taskbar" feature in the latest Android Canary release, allowing users to pin apps for quick access. This feature is available in the desktop mode launcher and enables users to easily add and remove apps from the taskbar. Currently, it is not integrated into the standard launcher. The feature is part of Google's efforts to make Android a competitive desktop platform. Its availability in Beta or Stable channels is uncertain, with potential inclusion in the upcoming Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 update or the stable QPR1 release anticipated for September.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Good news for multitaskers: Microsoft is gradually rolling out taskbar scaling to squeeze in as many icons as possible in the latest Windows 11 Insider build

Microsoft is introducing taskbar icon scaling in the latest Windows Insider Canary build, allowing users to pin more applications without losing visibility. As the taskbar fills up, icons will automatically resize to smaller dimensions. This feature aims to enhance workflow efficiency by reducing the need for secondary menu navigation. Users can customize settings for icon scaling, including keeping icons small, maintaining a standard size, or opting for a permanent reduction in size. The feature is currently exclusive to Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27898. Users can adjust settings by right-clicking on the taskbar and navigating to "Taskbar settings > Taskbar behaviours." It is unclear if the scaling feature is activated by default.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

Pixel phones are getting even better parental controls

A new "Parental controls" feature has been identified in the Android Canary build for Pixel devices, aimed at establishing digital ground rules, setting screen time limits, and filtering content for child safety. This feature was discovered on a Pixel 8 Pro and is currently non-functional. It is expected to align with the "Supervision" tools from Android 16 Beta 4. The upcoming Pixel 10 series, launching on August 20, will include the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, all equipped with stable Android 16.

Winsage

July 13, 2025

The ghost of Windows Vista continues to haunt Windows 11 as its startup sound reappears out of nowhere

Recent test builds of Windows 11 have been playing the startup sound from Windows Vista due to a bug. Although Microsoft fixed this issue in the Dev and Beta builds, the sound has reappeared in the Canary branch, where the fix was not applied. A patch for the Canary build is expected soon.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Windows Insider Canary Channel Gets a Substantial Update

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider build 27898 on the Canary Channel, introducing several new features: - Taskbar icon scaling: Automatically adjusts the size of taskbar icons for a crowded workspace. - Custom words dictionary in Voice Access: Allows users to add unique words and supports Chinese and Japanese languages. - Screen Curtain in Narrator: Blacks out the display for privacy while using Narrator. - Quick Settings: Enhancements include text descriptions for assistive technologies. - File Explorer: Context menu now has dividers for better organization. - Adaptive energy saver: Manages energy settings based on power state and system load. - Windows Share improvements: Users can preview content before sharing and select image compression levels. - Quick Machine Recovery: Helps IT professionals detect and fix boot issues from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).