Do Not Disturb Archives

BetaBeacon

March 12, 2026

Google rolling out Play Games Sidekick and Game Trials

Google Play Games Sidekick is rolling out with new features such as AI-generated Game Tips, achievements, quest progress, and rewards. Game Trials are being introduced with a "Try" button on listings, allowing users to try the full version of a paid title at no cost.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Google finally fixed Android’s Driving Mode, so it only turns on at the right time

Google is rolling out an update for Driving Mode on Pixel phones that allows it to trigger automatically when connected to the car's Bluetooth, addressing previous issues where it misfired or failed to activate. The update shifts the activation method from relying solely on motion detection to a Bluetooth-first approach. This feature is included in version 26.05.32 of Google Play Services and can be configured in the Settings app under Modes. Users can choose to activate Driving Mode using either Bluetooth or a combination of motion and Bluetooth.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Slack Messenger Review 2026: The Collaboration Lifeline Your Inbox Secretly Hates

Slack Messenger, developed by Salesforce Inc., is a workplace communication platform designed to replace internal emails with a channel-based messaging system. It organizes discussions into channels for specific projects, teams, or clients, facilitating smoother collaboration and providing a comprehensive view of the work environment. Key features include: - Channel-based messaging: Organizes conversations by topic or team. - Searchable history: Provides instant access to past messages and files. - Huddles and clips: Allows for informal discussions and asynchronous updates. - App integrations: Centralizes notifications from various tools. - Workflow Builder: Automates repetitive tasks. - Granular notifications: Minimizes notification fatigue. - Enterprise security: Offers necessary controls for secure implementation in large organizations. User feedback highlights a reduction in internal emails and improved transparency, but some users express concerns about notification overload and the proliferation of channels. Slack is compared favorably to competitors like Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Discord, particularly in usability and integration capabilities.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

6 Free Apps To Automate Tasks on Android

In daily life, people engage in repetitive phone actions that shape their routines, such as turning off Wi-Fi or silencing notifications. Android devices offer basic automation features, but true automation potential lies in apps that allow personalized routines. Samsung Galaxy users can utilize Modes and Routines, integrated into One UI 5.1, to create preset profiles and custom automations based on triggers like time and location. Google’s Action Blocks enable users to create customizable shortcuts for complex tasks with a single tap, leveraging Google Assistant. Automate by LlamaLab uses a visual flowchart interface for routine creation, allowing users to design automation flows with over 320 building blocks available. aProfiles focuses on profile-based automation, adjusting settings based on time and location, while IFTTT allows users to create applets for connected services, with limitations on custom applets for free users. MacroDroid offers a three-part structure for automations, with over 100 triggers and actions, and a template library for pre-made macros, while the free version limits users to five macros.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Android phones are finally getting a way to flag ‘urgent’ calls

Android is introducing a feature called Expressive Calling in the Phone by Google app, allowing users to specify the reason for their calls, including marking them as urgent. This feature is currently available to select beta testers. When a call is marked as urgent, the recipient receives a notification that reads “It’s urgent!” along with an animated siren emoji, and the urgent designation remains in the call log if the call is missed. This feature aims to improve the calling experience by providing context and is particularly useful for users with Do Not Disturb mode activated. However, both the caller and recipient must be using the Phone app beta for the feature to work, limiting its current availability.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Google Phone app may soon make your urgent calls hard to ignore

Google is exploring an upgrade to its Phone app that may allow Android users to label calls as “urgent” through a feature called Expressive Calling. This feature would enable users to select a specific “call reason” while dialing, such as “It’s urgent!” or “Quick question.” The urgent tag could potentially bypass Do Not Disturb settings for saved contacts, reducing the risk of spam calls. Recipients may receive notifications like “Missed an Urgent Call” to ensure important messages are noticed. Both parties may need compatible apps or settings for the feature to work properly. The rollout timeline is uncertain, and early versions are not yet available, but the feature may launch first on Pixel devices before expanding to other Android smartphones.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

5 Free Android Apps That Act As Digital Burner Phones

The demand for burner phone numbers has increased due to privacy concerns, leading to the availability of several free applications that provide temporary phone numbers. Hushed is an Android app that offers burner numbers with support for over 300 area codes in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, ensuring user anonymity and features like voicemail, call forwarding, and auto-reply. It operates on VoIP and requires a subscription after a free trial. Burner allows users to create temporary numbers while maintaining anonymity, using actual cell phone minutes. It includes spam-blocking and Do Not Disturb features and is available for free with a trial on the Google Play Store. Call.com supports multiple burner numbers (up to four) from various countries and allows cost-effective international calling via VoIP. It requires a subscription for full access, with in-app credits available for testing. Second Number enables users to create numbers from over 20 countries and supports VoIP, call forwarding, voicemail, and group conference calls. It offers the option to port numbers to major carriers and is available for free on the Google Play Store. Text Me allows users to create multiple phone numbers from various countries and supports VoIP for calls and messaging. It includes features like call forwarding and blocking and is also available for free on the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

What’s new in Android’s October 2025 Google System Updates [U]

The monthly “Google System Release Notes” detail updates for various platforms, including Play services, Play Store, and Play system updates for Android devices, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Features may target end users or developers, and their presence in the changelog does not guarantee immediate availability. Key updates include: - Google Play services v25.42 introduces new developer APIs for multi-device experiences and enhanced device connectivity. - Google Wallet has a revamped user interface for feedback and now supports provisioning a Wavelynx corporate badge. - Android WebView v142 includes security and privacy enhancements and new developer features for web content display. - Google Play services v25.41 adds developer features for ads, allows mobile reCAPTCHA verification, and enables users to add cards through issuer apps. - Google Play Store v48.5 allows personalized app content viewing and in-app purchases in Mongolia. - Android System Intelligence V.39 includes maintenance and bug fixes. - Google Play services v25.40 supports Maps-related processes and allows pairing of LE Audio devices. - Google Play services v25.39 introduces Quick Start for supervised accounts and updates to user journeys and profile picture design.

Winsage

October 12, 2025

Windows 11 will soon support dark mode for Run dialog box

Windows 11 Build 26120.6780 (KB5067103) was released on October 10, 2023, to Beta Channel testers, integrating dark mode into the Run dialog for the first time. Users can now experience the Run dialog in dark mode, featuring a deep black top border and a gentle grey interface. Dark mode enhancements have also been extended to other components, including the file transfer dialog, confirmation prompts for file deletions, and the Recycle Bin's delete confirmation. Microsoft is not rewriting these legacy dialogs in modern frameworks like XAML or WinUI due to performance concerns. The Control Panel and its applets have not yet adopted dark mode, and updating all dialog boxes remains challenging due to the nature of Win32 UI. Additionally, the update includes improvements to the Settings app for Copilot+ PCs, introducing agentic actions that allow for quick adjustments to recently modified settings. However, these features are not available for users without a Copilot+ PC.

Winsage

October 4, 2025

Windows 11’s Notification Center opens on secondary display, gets a clock and more

Windows 11's September 2025 Update (KB5065789) enhances the taskbar, particularly for users with multiple displays. The Notification Center can now open on secondary displays, improving workflow by allowing access to notifications, calendar, and Do Not Disturb settings directly from either screen. Previously, the Notification Center only launched on the primary display when using Extend mode, which was inconvenient for productivity. The update also allows users to right-click the system tray clock to access Date and Time settings and Notification preferences. Additionally, users can enable a full clock display in the Notification Center and collapse the Calendar for a more compact view. This update is available for both Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 versions.