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DroidDeck Brings SteamOS to Android in an App
AppWizard
October 10, 2026

DroidDeck Brings SteamOS to Android in an App

Valve's SteamOS is now accessible on Android handhelds through an app called DroidDeck, which allows users to engage with games in a familiar interface. The installation process involves disabling the “Child-process limit” in Developer Options and using Wireless ADB Debugging if necessary. Users can then access the Steam section of the app to download essential components like the FEX and Proton drivers. DroidDeck also features a “Desktop” tab for a Linux desktop environment and enables the installation of emulators within the SteamOS. The app is currently available for download on GitHub, and developers are actively working on enhancements and bug fixes.
DroidDeck is basically SteamOS on Android without SteamOS
AppWizard
October 6, 2026

DroidDeck is basically SteamOS on Android without SteamOS

DroidDeck is a new mobile gaming application for Android devices that allows users to access and play their Steam library, mimicking the Steam OS interface. It offers a comprehensive Steam client experience in Big Picture mode and supports various Steam OS functionalities, including desktop mode and the installation of Decky plugins and Linux applications. The installation process is user-friendly but requires users to enable the “disable child-process limit” feature in developer options, which is unavailable on Android 12 or 13. Users need a device with a Snapdragon processor and an Adreno 700 series GPU or higher, excluding many budget and mid-range options. Preliminary tests on the Retroid Pocket G2 showed a familiar interface but noted performance issues and high storage usage, with the app consuming approximately 12GB after installing one sub-1GB game. Gameplay experiences varied, with some titles running at playable speeds while others had inconsistent frame rates. Users may want to keep alternative apps like GameNative installed for better performance and compatibility.
Google already rolling out Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel
AppWizard
October 3, 2026

Google already rolling out Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel

Google has released the Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1, following the QPR2 release, with a stable version expected in March 2027. The beta includes several enhancements and fixes, such as: - Functional audio output device switching during playback from apps without active media controls. - Stabilized foreground service initiation from Quick Settings tiles. - Adjusted application icons in the app menu to reduce excessive spacing. - Reliable app previews in the recent apps screen. - Improved NFC service stability. - Optimized fingerprint sensor unlocking to prevent device freezes. - Refined Face Unlock settings to avoid crashes. - Enhanced MediaPlayer functionality for non-ASCII audio attribute tags. - Improved application launch stability to reduce ANR errors. - Correct functioning of video calling apps without camera feed rotation in desktop mode. - Streamlined user interface navigation back to the home screen. - Corrected Mobile Data icon anomalies in Quick Settings. - Screen recording now supports front camera functionality. - Stabilized calling apps to prevent crashes after device reboot. - Addressed eSIM profile activation issues. - Minimized battery drain during idle with Flip to Shh enabled. - Stabilized access to battery settings in the Settings app. - Improved audio playback consistency on LHDC v5 Bluetooth devices. - Mitigated cellular service disruptions due to modem reporting issues. - Enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity for automatic reconnections during background wakes. The Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 system images are available for various Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 8 models. Users can report issues through the Android Beta Feedback app and join the Android Beta Program for OTA updates. Opting out of the Beta program after installation will result in a data wipe, while opting out before installation will not.
Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 gives us an early look at next year’s Pixel updates
AppWizard
October 3, 2026

Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 gives us an early look at next year’s Pixel updates

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel devices, including models from the Pixel 6a to the Pixel 11 family, with most devices receiving build DP11.260918.006 and Pixel 11 users receiving DP11.260918.005. The QPR updates are quarterly enhancements aimed at refining performance and addressing issues without breaking changes to the API. Google is addressing a range of issues in this beta version, including crashes, fingerprint freezes, eSIM problems, Wi-Fi failures, battery drain, and Bluetooth audio glitches. A stable release is targeted for March 2027. Specific issues being worked on include: - Audio output device switching problems. - Crashes when starting foreground services from Quick Settings. - Excessive spacing in app icons. - App previews failing to display in recent apps. - NFC service crashes. - Device freezes with fingerprint unlocking. - Crashes in Face Unlock settings. - MediaPlayer crashes with non-ASCII audio tags. - Applications freezing and triggering ANR errors. - Camera feed rotation issues in video calling apps. - User interface problems when returning to the home screen. - Unexpected dot on the Mobile Data icon. - Front camera malfunction during screen recording. - Crashes in calling apps after device reboot. - eSIM profile enabling issues. - Excessive battery drain with Flip to Shh enabled. - Crashes in the Settings app when accessing battery settings. - Audio playback interruptions on Bluetooth devices. - Crash loops and loss of cellular service related to SIM slot indices. - Wi-Fi reconnection failures during background wakes. Users can expect a stable release by early next year and are advised to remain on the stable channel until the public QPR2 launch if they prefer not to participate in the beta.
Here’s everything new in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 [Gallery]
AppWizard
October 2, 2026

Here’s everything new in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 [Gallery]

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1, with a stable release expected in March 2027. The beta includes a new Notes Quick Settings Tile for the Pixel 11 series, while the previous Notes lockscreen shortcut and homescreen widget remain exclusive to Pixel 11 devices. Changes to the status bar include a bolder VPN icon and enlarged Bluetooth and Airplane Mode icons. The Gemini Intelligence boot animation is now available on the Pixel 10 series. Several fixes have been implemented, addressing issues such as audio output device switching, app crashes, excessive spacing in application icons, NFC service crashes, device freezes with fingerprint unlock, and Wi-Fi connectivity problems.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
September 8, 2026

Sony rolls out Android 17 with Desktop mode, new camera tools, and more to Xperia phones

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is receiving an upgrade to Android 17, with the rollout currently live in the UK and Germany, featuring software version 73.1.A.2.61 and a download size of approximately 1.2GB. Key features include a new Desktop mode for connecting to external displays, enhanced personalization options, improved Quick settings panel, advanced screen recording capabilities, and enhancements to the AI Camera Assistant. The update is also available for the Xperia 1 VII, Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 10 VIII, and Xperia 10 VII. The Xperia 1 VIII is set to receive four major OS updates and six years of security updates.
I've Been Gaming On Linux For Five Years - Is It Ready To Replace Windows?
AppWizard
September 6, 2026

I’ve Been Gaming On Linux For Five Years – Is It Ready To Replace Windows?

Steam Deck debuted in early 2022 with SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system that uses the Wine-based Proton compatibility layer to run Windows games. This development has significantly advanced Linux gaming, with approximately 95% of games functioning well on Linux. Steam's Verified program lists nearly 9,000 Verified games, and around 30,000 playable titles, with only about 1% of popular games failing to run entirely. Anti-cheat systems remain a major limitation, preventing popular titles like "Fortnite" and "League of Legends" from being playable on Linux. Game streaming services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW offer alternatives for playing anti-cheat games on Linux. Linux distributions provide better controller support compared to Windows, particularly for handhelds and living room PCs. Accessing non-Steam games can be cumbersome, though tools like Heroic Launcher help. Compatibility issues with proprietary standards, such as HDMI 2.1 support, persist in Linux gaming.
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