directions Archives

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Vitalik Buterin Donates $765K in Ethereum to Privacy Messaging Apps

Vitalik Buterin donated approximately 5,000 ETH to the privacy messaging applications Session and SimpleX. He emphasized the importance of encrypted messaging for digital privacy and mentioned two key areas for improvement: permissionless account creation and metadata privacy. Session aims to minimize metadata leakage and saw its token, SESH, rise by 371% in a day. SimpleX focuses on user identity ownership and plans to introduce community support vouchers. Buterin acknowledged both applications have room for improvement in user experience and security. The increasing interest in privacy applications is driven by concerns over global surveillance, with recent government regulations highlighting the need for privacy solutions. The Ethereum Foundation has formed a new privacy team to enhance its initiatives. Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Zcash have also seen significant growth, with Zcash rising by 793% over the past year.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Live-action Far Cry TV series starring It’s Always Sunny’s Rob Mac will mimic the games’ standalone format, with each season given ‘a new setting following a new cast of characters’

Ubisoft has confirmed the development of a live-action Far Cry television series, co-created by Noah Hawley and Rob McElhenney. The series will follow the structure of the games, with each season set in a different location and featuring a new cast of characters. Hawley describes the Far Cry franchise as an anthology, while McElhenney will serve as an executive producer and star in the series. The creative team has a variety of locations to draw inspiration from, including Micronesia, Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and Montana. This adaptation follows a previous film attempt in 2008 and a recent Netflix animated series that received positive feedback.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

You can finally use Waze on your phone while connected to Android Auto

Waze has introduced a new feature for Android Auto users that allows navigation locations to be selected directly from their phone's screen, enhancing user interaction compared to the previous setup where the app operated independently. This update is now widely accessible following a period of testing, with some users reporting a new pop-up indicating the feature's availability. The functionality is particularly useful for drivers without touchscreens, as it allows navigation through rotary controls. If users do not see the feature, they can try force-stopping and restarting the app to access it.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

Baldur’s Gate 3 is ‘an inspiration’ for CD Projekt, but it’s all-in on big open worlds: ‘We are definitely not going to make a game like Larian did’

CD Projekt's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski acknowledged the success of Baldur's Gate 3 and its influence on classic CRPG elements, but emphasized that CD Projekt Red (CDPR) is pursuing its own direction for future projects. He stated that while they find inspiration in Baldur's Gate 3, CDPR will not create a game similar to Larian Studios' work and intends to innovate beyond their previous titles like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Nowakowski mentioned a strategic shift towards focusing on core pillar games rather than spinoffs, indicating that CDPR aims to prioritize the development of main titles that enhance open-world gaming.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Google’s Gemini is now on Android Auto

Android Auto users can now use Google's Gemini AI assistant, which offers a conversational voice assistant for tasks like directions, managing messages, and errands. To access Gemini, users need to download a dedicated app on their Android devices, which will then appear on the car's infotainment display. Activation can be done by saying “Hey Google,” tapping the microphone icon, or long-pressing the voice control button. Gemini is exclusive to Android Auto and is not available for Apple CarPlay. Future updates may bring Gemini to vehicles with built-in Android operating systems. The assistant can handle complex tasks, engage in casual conversation, and help with various requests while keeping drivers focused on the road. However, there are concerns about potential cognitive distraction from using voice assistants in vehicles.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

New co-op FPS combines the open-world hordes of Dying Light and the style of Borderlands, with a demo you can try first

Skopje '83 is a first-person shooter developed by the indie studio Dark-1 over six years, inspired by cel shading and concept art. The game is set in Skopje, North Macedonia, where players navigate a hostile environment using a mobile base called DOM, an armored bus for storing gear, crafting weapons, and recuperating. It features an open-world design, encouraging exploration and experimentation, with a dynamic world where death alters the landscape. Players can team up to combat mutated creatures and gather blueprints. A demo update has been released, and the full version is available on Steam for .99, with a 10% discount until November 14.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

UK government spends millions shifting to the outdated Windows 10

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is upgrading tens of thousands of outdated devices to Windows 10 due to Microsoft ending support for Windows 7 in October 2025. Defra has phased out over 31,000 legacy laptops and closed one data center, with plans to decommission more. Approximately 24,000 devices are still classified as end-of-life, along with 26,000 smartphones and network components needing replacement. The next phase will focus on migrating essential applications to cloud environments to reduce technical debt and enhance productivity. Defra aims to realize the benefits of these upgrades in the next spending review cycle, but historical challenges in government technology projects may hinder progress.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

Boring always-on displays are history: Android 17 will let apps show controls on your phone’s idle screen

Google is set to launch Android 17, introducing a feature called "Min Mode" that enhances the always-on display by allowing select applications to project functional, minimalist interfaces on the screen without waking the device or draining the battery. This feature will enable users to access live navigation, track workout statistics, and manage music controls while the phone is in sleep mode. Google Maps will be among the first apps to provide simple monochrome directions. Developers can create specialized layouts for a clean aesthetic in low-powered states, and the system will prevent burn-in by shifting pixels periodically. Min Mode will not replace the traditional always-on display but will offer an alternative for a more interactive experience.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

Android’s upcoming feature could make the always-on display actually useful

Google is set to introduce an update for Android's always-on display (AOD) called "Min Mode," which will transform it from a static clock and notification hub into a dynamic, app-driven interface. This feature will allow applications to display simplified, low-power interfaces on the AOD, enabling users to see essential information without fully activating the screen. Initial code indicates that Google Maps will utilize Min Mode for live turn-by-turn navigation in a minimalist, monochrome format optimized for portrait orientation. Min Mode aims to enhance the AOD's functionality by displaying relevant data such as navigation directions, fitness metrics, or media controls while conserving battery life. Developers will need to balance functionality with battery efficiency to maintain the AOD's simplicity and accessibility.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Google Android 17 ‘Min Mode’ update for Always-on Display Mode can be a real game changer for users and third-party apps, here’s how it can transform user experience forever; key details inside

Google is developing a new "Min Mode" feature for the Always-On Display (AOD) in the upcoming Android 17 update, allowing applications to showcase minimal and persistent interfaces directly on the AOD. This feature aims to enhance user interaction by providing essential information without unlocking the device. Google Maps is expected to be one of the first applications to utilize this capability for low-power navigation. The "Min Mode" will enable third-party apps to present real-time updates on the AOD, improving user engagement and streamlining access to information. Android 17 is anticipated to be released in 2026.