curation Archives

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Qobuz: I tested the Android TV app and I was impressed! – Son-Vidéo.com: blog

Qobuz has launched its app on Android Smart TVs, providing high-quality music streaming with lossless sound and high-definition masters. The app features a user-friendly interface optimized for larger screens, allowing easy navigation and access to curated playlists, personalized recommendations, and synchronized library data across devices. It supports Hi-Res audio streaming and includes Qobuz Connect, enabling users to control playback from smartphones or tablets. The app is compatible with Qobuz's Studio and Sublime subscription packages, offering access to over one hundred million titles in Hi-Res quality. Qobuz emphasizes editorial content, including album reviews and artist interviews, enhancing the listening experience with a human touch.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Google Play Teases Android XR Apps And Games

Google has launched a new selection of apps and games in the Play Store tailored for Android XR, previously developed for Android VR or Daydream. This page features a variety of XR-ready apps, including notable titles like Asteroid, NFL Pro Era, Vacation Simulator, and Naver CHZZK XR. The inclusion of Virtual Desktop indicates support for wireless PCVR streaming. Android XR is a collaboration between Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm, aiming to create a robust ecosystem for next-generation headsets. The initial app offerings focus on entertainment, gaming, and utility, with a dedicated shelf for easier discovery and installation. Android XR will utilize Android’s developer stack, integrating Play billing and XR-specific APIs. Analysts predict a resurgence in the AR and VR sectors, with Google competing against Meta’s Quest lineup. The Play Store is expected to expand rapidly as partners finalize builds and features.

AppWizard

September 28, 2025

5 Best Android Apps Every Audiophile Needs On Their Phone

Audiophiles prefer high-resolution music platforms like Tidal, but the Android app landscape is changing. Spotify has introduced Spotify Lossless, offering high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/44.1kHz, which is better than CD quality but lower than Tidal's 24-bit/192kHz. Tidal provides superior audio quality, competitive pricing, and features like Dolby Atmos for enhanced sound. Qobuz claims to have the best hi-res catalog and allows users to purchase hi-res audio files, with a subscription option that offers discounts on purchases. Roon ARC enables users to access their music collections via mobile devices and integrates with streaming services, requiring a subscription for unlimited streams. USB Audio Player Pro is an app that enhances audio quality by allowing the use of an external DAC and supports integration with Tidal and Qobuz.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Enhance Your Android Gaming Experience with Comparison Platforms

A new Android player has entered the Play Store, which offers a vast array of app choices, leading to overwhelming search results for users. Comparison platforms have emerged to help users navigate this environment by providing clear, actionable cues regarding app features and performance. These tools allow users to make informed decisions by assessing privacy disclosures, update frequencies, and summarizing permissions and data usage in user-friendly formats. They enable players to filter options based on essential criteria like genre, difficulty, controller support, offline mode, file size, and update frequency. Comparison sites also visualize privacy and permission descriptions, offering context that star ratings may lack. They help users create tailored shortlists based on non-negotiable criteria, such as device compatibility and monetization models. Overall, these platforms are transforming the app discovery process from passive browsing to active selection, allowing players to tailor their gaming experiences to their lifestyles.

AppWizard

August 27, 2025

Spotify teases new in-app messaging feature

Spotify has introduced an integrated messaging system that allows users to share songs, podcasts, and audiobooks within the app, enhancing social engagement and addressing a gap in user experience. This feature enables users to initiate conversations by selecting a share icon during playback, choosing recipients, and transmitting content. The messaging system complements existing social media integrations and is designed to enhance user workflows, potentially transforming Spotify into a more active social network for audio content. The rollout comes as a strategic response to the influence of social media on music discovery, aiming to boost user engagement and retention in a competitive streaming landscape.

BetaBeacon

August 1, 2025

Google must allow rival app stores on Android, court rules in Epic Games lawsuit

A US federal court ruled that Google must open its Android operating system to rival app stores after losing an appeal in an antitrust case filed by Epic Games.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Your Android Can Download Fewer Apps Than in 2023, Here’s Why That’s Good

The Google Play Store has seen a decline in available apps, dropping from 3.4 million at the beginning of 2024 to approximately 1.8 million by April, a 47% reduction compared to the end of 2023. In contrast, Apple’s App Store increased its app count from 1.6 million to 1.64 million during the same period. Google has implemented stricter quality control measures, which contributed to the reduction in app numbers, alongside enhanced human review processes and new verification requirements for developers. Despite the overall decrease, there was a 7.1% increase in the release of new apps in April 2025 compared to April 2024.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

5 new Windows 11 features should hit your PC soon

Microsoft has released Build 26100.3321 to the Release Preview Channel for Windows 11, introducing several new features: - A color-coded battery icon with a percentage indicator has been added to the Taskbar to help users manage battery life. - Users can now turn off or snooze backup reminders in File Explorer. - Windows Spotlight has improved visibility for the "Learn more about this picture" icon and includes a "Like" button for content curation. - A taskbar sharing feature allows users to share files directly from applications using a right-click option. - The Narrator's updated scan mode includes new commands for more efficient text navigation. These features will be rolled out gradually, with some expected to reach the general public soon.

BetaBeacon

February 7, 2025

The Meta Quest saw Wii-like growth in 2024, but that spells trouble for some games

Nintendo's shift to a Blue Ocean strategy with the Wii led to higher sales than competitors, attracting new gamers. Meta's Meta Quest platform is seeing a demographic shift, with more young users and a decrease in interest in AAA games. The platform is focusing more on free-to-play titles and social apps, leading to challenges for developers of big-budget games. Indie games are becoming more prominent on the platform, signaling a shift away from big-name titles.

BetaBeacon

December 22, 2024

Android XR could be Google’s Daydream redemption, and VR games can help

Daydream had issues such as draining phone batteries and lack of smartphone support. Google abandoned Daydream just as Quest began to take off. Google could potentially regain ground in the XR market by focusing on gaming, offering a curated selection of apps, supporting hand-tracking and controllers, and utilizing powerful hardware like Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2. The success of Android XR will depend on how well Google can differentiate itself from competitors like Meta and Apple.