developers Archives

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

AI Memory Crunch Causes Android To Tighten Data Usage Around its App Ecosystem

Google is adjusting its Android smartphone ecosystem to optimize app memory usage in response to increased demand for memory chips in AI. The initiative, titled ‘Elevating app quality: Reducing memory usage and improving device migration,’ aims to help developers manage hardware constraints and improve app quality through new onboarding standards. Google has outlined specific technical quality requirements and is implementing performance thresholds for dynamic memory usage and bitmap management. New tools will notify developers when their apps exceed these thresholds, and diagnostic tools with a memory limiter feature will be introduced later this year. Developers must comply with the new performance thresholds by February 2027, and by April 2027, all apps on the Play Store must implement the Zero Tap Sign-in feature for device migrations. Non-compliance may lead to reduced app visibility and publishing capabilities on Google Play.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Google clamps down on Android app RAM usage amid AI memory crisis — developers have until February 2027 to adapt to new memory-optimizing rules

Google has introduced new guidelines to improve memory management for Android applications due to a shortage of memory, requiring developers to reduce their apps' memory usage by February 2027. Smartphone manufacturers are responding to memory shortages by decreasing the memory in devices, with many entry-level smartphones now featuring only 4GB instead of the previous 6GB to 8GB. Microsoft is also optimizing Windows 11 for devices with 8GB of memory to ease the need for upgrades.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

“God Mode? Hardly.” Microsoft debunks Windows 11’s God Mode, but the trick still works

The "God Mode" in Windows is activated by creating a folder and renaming it to GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}, which transforms the folder icon to resemble the Control Panel and displays a comprehensive list of all settings tasks available in Windows. This trick was clarified by Microsoft engineer Brandon Paddock, who stated that the name "GodMode" is misleading, as the folder can be named anything with the same CLSID code, and it merely exposes two documented elements of the Windows shell. The functionality was intended for developers and not casual users, and the trick could be altered or removed in future updates.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

4 new ways Android is protecting your network connections

Developers are encouraged to upgrade to OkHttp 5.5.0 and enable Encrypted Client Hello (ECH) for modern networking practices. Android 17 introduces Local Network Protection, requiring apps to obtain user permission before scanning local networks. Android has implemented Certificate Transparency (CT) by default to log all certificates in a public registry, reducing the risk of fraudulent certificates. Scammers are using portable devices known as “SMS blasters” to target mobile users by forcing them onto less secure 2G networks, allowing phishing texts to bypass modern spam filters.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Android 17 hides the sites you visit, but not in every app

Significant strides have been made in enhancing the security framework for Android applications, with developers encouraged to stay informed about best practices to fortify their apps against vulnerabilities. Key recommendations include regularly updating libraries, implementing secure coding practices, and utilizing Android’s built-in security features like Play Protect. The Android Developers team has released new resources to help developers integrate these security measures. Additionally, the OkHttp Changelog has introduced updates for improved performance and reliability, including improved connection pooling, bug fixes, and new features to streamline development.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Google warns Android app developers to reduce memory usage, with new thresholds set to begin in February 2027.

Google Play is implementing two key requirements to improve app quality and user experience. 1. Reducing App Memory Usage: Google Play is setting broader memory limits to prevent excessive memory consumption by apps. Developers must adhere to specific performance thresholds, including: - Dynamic Memory Usage: Monitoring memory used for an app's private data storage. - Bitmap Memory Usage: Ensuring bitmaps are not retained longer than necessary. - Optimized DEX Code: Achieving a minimum of 25% coverage with optimization tools like R8. To assist developers, Google Play has introduced tools for monitoring memory usage and tracking crashes due to insufficient memory. Warnings will be issued if apps exceed the new thresholds. 2. Ensuring a Seamless Device Migration Experience: Starting in April 2027, all apps supporting user sign-in must use the Android Restore Credentials API for automatic restoration of sign-in states when switching devices. Game apps are currently exempt, but guidance will be provided for handling authentication in gaming applications in 2027.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Did A New Google ‘Pulse’ App Just Appear On Your Android Phone? Here’s What It Does

A new app called Pulse has been released on the Play Store, quickly reaching over 10 million downloads. It is an existing Google system service that became more visible in the settings app following a recent update and has been in place since March. Pulse may collect information related to app performance but does not share data with third parties. It can be accessed on Pixel devices through Settings > Google services > All services > Privacy & security > System services. Disabling system services like Pulse could disrupt features, so it is advisable to keep it installed. Pulse helps monitor resource usage in Android, including battery drain, memory usage, and CPU activity, and is part of Google's efforts to track issues within the operating system. Google plans to implement stricter measures against apps that excessively consume resources.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

Microsoft Issues Windows 11 Version 26H2 to Release Preview

Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 26H2 (Build 26300.9278) in the Release Preview Channel for customers to preview ahead of its general availability later this year. This version will be delivered as an enablement package, allowing for seamless integration of new features and enhancements. Users with PCs in the Release Preview channel can manually install this version. Key features for business users include Windows Backup, app actions from the Taskbar, and improvements to File Explorer. Organizations can deploy Windows 11 version 26H2 using Windows Update client policies and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Updates to the ISOs on the Windows Insider Program download site will also reflect this new version.

Winsage

August 27, 2026

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remaster System Requirements – CDPR Drops Windows 7 and Windows 10 Support

CD Projekt RED has announced the story expansion "Songs of the Past" for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and plans for a remaster of the original game. The remaster will be available for purchase on Battle.net due to a partnership with Blizzard. The system requirements for the remaster specify that it will only support Windows 11, with minimum requirements including an Intel Core i5-8400 CPU, GTX 1660 GPU, and 12 GB RAM, while recommended requirements include an Intel Core i7 8700K CPU, RTX 2060 Super GPU, and 16 GB RAM. The remaster is set to release on September 29, 2026, and the expansion is expected in 2027. Modder HalkHogan is collaborating with CD Projekt RED on the remaster.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Google tells Android app developers to cool it on memory use, or else

Google has announced new memory-usage restrictions for Android applications to address the ongoing RAM crisis. These restrictions require developers to comply with new memory constraints to ensure smoother operation across devices. The initiative coincides with the rollout of Android 17, which is being introduced on devices like the Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL, both of which have less RAM than previous models. Developers must consider varying RAM configurations, ranging from 4GB to over 16GB. Applications that exceed the memory limits may experience reduced performance, slowdowns, or termination, and may face diminished visibility on the Google Play Store. These memory limits will take effect in February 2027, providing developers time to adjust their applications.