companion Archives

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Samsung Wallet gets a Trips timeline, so all you’ve got to worry about is your tan

Samsung is enhancing its Wallet app with a new feature called "Trips," which organizes travel-related information into a single timeline. This timeline will display essential details such as plane tickets, train rides, and theme park tickets with start and end times. Recent updates to the Wallet app also include split in-store payments and a "Digital Home Key." The Trips feature aims to alleviate the confusion of scattered travel plans by providing a clear view of itineraries. Additionally, Samsung has partnered with Aliro to enable Galaxy users to unlock smart locks using their phones through UWB and NFC technologies.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Gmail, Drive, and other Google apps are getting a major icon redesign

Google is redesigning the icons for its Workspace applications, including Gmail, Drive, and Calendar, adopting a gradient style and moving away from the strict use of all four Google brand colors. The new icons feature more focused color themes, with notable changes in Calendar, which is shifting to a blue-dominant palette, and Gmail, which will maintain its 'M' envelope shape but with a vibrant gradient. Google Meet is also being visually revamped with a brighter yellow theme. The new icons have not yet started rolling out to users.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

GPT-5.5 topped a Minecraft building benchmark and the spatial reasoning implications go far beyond gaming

GPT-5.5 has achieved an xHigh tier result on VoxelBench, placing it at the top of a leaderboard that includes Grok 4.20 Beta, Kimi K2.5 Thinking, and Kimi K2.6. VoxelBench evaluates language models on their ability to construct three-dimensional voxel structures from text prompts, requiring models to translate verbal descriptions into precise 3D objects without images or post-processing. Human evaluators rated GPT-5.5's constructions higher than those of other models tested. Research indicates that producing spatially correct outputs is significantly more challenging than generating executable code, with geometric construction and multi-object composition being the hardest tasks. The MineBench Elo system, calibrated against skilled human Minecraft builders, shows that frontier models are approaching human-level spatial reasoning capabilities, which have implications for fields such as architecture and game development. The VoxelBench leaderboard reflects a competitive landscape where multiple models are achieving similar performance levels, indicating a shift in the AI benchmark landscape. GPT-5.5's results suggest that AI-assisted 3D design workflows may soon be viable, highlighting a transition from capability to integration challenges in the development of AI tools for design applications.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more

Microsoft's ID@Xbox program supports indie game development and recently showcased new titles in collaboration with IGN. - Beastro: A roguelike RPG where players are chefs for heroes, releasing on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, available on Xbox Game Pass. - Deep Dish Dungeon: A survival exploration game set for Fall 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Albion Online: A free-to-play PvP MMO now available on Xbox consoles, offering perks for Xbox Game Pass members. - Lofsong: An audio-based game with no announced release date, available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School: A puzzle adventure game set for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Kalanoro: An action-adventure game featuring lemurs, releasing this summer on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Vapor World: Over the Mind: A narrative-driven platformer launching on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with a demo in June and Xbox Game Pass support. - inKONBINI: A management simulation game releasing on April 30, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass availability. - Echo Generation 2: A sci-fi deckbuilder RPG launching on May 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Starseeker: A spinoff of Astroneer, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Switch 2, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Tears of Metal: A co-op roguelike hack-and-slash game for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility. - Crashout Crew: A co-op game centered around forklifts, releasing on May 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Steam, with Xbox Game Pass support. - RV There Yet?: A comedic co-op adventure expected to launch in May for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive: An action game set to launch on Xbox Series X|S in Q3 2026. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: A musical-themed hotel and ghost hunting game for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and other platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Golf With Your Friends 2: The sequel to the party golfing game, releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch this fall. - Mistfall Hunter: An extraction RPG launching in July on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Totopia: A free-to-play party game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: A competitive racing platformer scheduled for July on multiple platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Vampire Crawlers: A deckbuilding spinoff from Vampire Survivors, now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Screenbound: An action-adventure game where players control a character in both 3D and 2D, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Grab a seat: Google’s next Android Show premieres soon, and there’s major hype

Google has announced an upcoming Android Show: I/O 2026 Edition, scheduled for May 12 at 10 am PT/12 pm ET, just before I/O 2026. The show is expected to reveal significant updates about Android 17. I/O 2026 will take place on May 19-20, focusing on advancements in AI software and updates for Chrome.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is finally out this summer and “it is not an RPG”

Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced is set to launch on July 9. The remake features enhanced visuals and modernized gameplay, utilizing Ubisoft's Anvil engine for improved combat mechanics, including parries, blocks, and finishing moves. The parkour system has been updated for smoother movement, and the game eliminates the insta-fail tailing missions, offering players options to fight or negotiate. The world design allows for seamless exploration without loading screens. While some original content, such as DLC and multiplayer, has been removed, the focus remains on the single-player narrative. New features include three new officers with unique questlines, the option to adopt a cat or monkey as a ship companion, new shanties, and additional quests for Blackbeard. Preorders are available.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

How to tame the Abyss Heuklang in Crimson Desert

The Abyss Heuklang is a new pet available in Crimson Desert, unlocked in a recent patch. Players can find it at the entrance of the Axiom Archive during Chapter 1's quests. To tame the Abyss Heuklang, players must perform pet actions like petting or offering treats (milk or bird meat) to build trust. Once trust is established, players can select the "Take In" option to add it to their pets.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Quarter Muncher: My love-hate relationship with Minecraft

Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios, was released in May 2009 and has become one of the best-selling games of all time. It features two primary modes: survival and creative. The game has undergone nearly 16 years of updates while maintaining its core simplicity. The author reflects on their personal journey with Minecraft, starting from childhood and shifting interests over the years, including a period of decreased engagement due to the popularity of Fortnite in 2017. They experienced a resurgence of interest in late 2022 and early 2023 through survival mode but found playing alone less enjoyable. In late 2024, they attempted to create a new realm with friends, which lasted about a month. Despite their ongoing passion for Minecraft, the author struggles with the lack of enthusiasm from friends, leading to short-lived gaming experiences.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

I was worried Owlcat couldn’t pull off Mass Effect-style cinematic action in its big new RPG, but after an hour of blowing stuff up in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, I’m feeling very reassured

Owlcat Games is developing a new title called The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, which represents a shift from their traditional isometric RPGs like Pathfinder: Kingmaker to a third-person combat experience inspired by the Mass Effect series. A hands-on preview showcased an hour of gameplay featuring combat and visuals, although RPG elements were not fully demonstrated. The demo begins with the player character and a companion escaping a space station under siege by mercenaries, leading to a chase as they acquire a ship. The game is set for release in spring 2027.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

PortalMod Released – Modders Added Mechanics from Valve’s Puzzle Game to Minecraft

The PortalMod for Minecraft, released in April, allows players to use a portal gun to create portals and interact with elements like companion cubes and turrets, mirroring features from the original Portal game. It supports both survival mode and multiplayer, enabling collaboration in creating test chambers. The mod is compatible with Minecraft Java Edition 1.16.5.