ecosystem Archives

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

Valve could revolutionize gaming with a Steam-powered console

The PC market share for game sales is expanding, prompting Microsoft to consider integrating PC storefronts into the next Xbox. Valve may enter the console market, leveraging its expertise in digital distribution. A potential Valve console could be inspired by the Steam Deck, offering standardized hardware and compatibility with various games. This console could consolidate PC, PlayStation, and Xbox games, providing access to indie titles and making PC gaming more accessible for casual gamers. While Valve's success with Steam raises questions about the necessity of a dedicated console, the company has shown interest in exploring new hardware opportunities, as evidenced by its successful VR headset and handheld gaming device.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

I tried one of the first Material 3 Expressive apps so I could see the future of Android

Google introduced Material 3 Expressive in May, which is set to redefine Android's design language. The recent update of the wallpaper app Backdrops to version 6.0 incorporates Material 3 Expressive elements, enhancing its interface with dynamic features such as an animated carousel on the Explore page and a whimsical pull-down refresh animation. The Search page has bold icons and oversized text for improved usability, with wallpapers displaying delightful animations. Other apps like Google Docs and Google Keep are also expected to adopt this design, suggesting a vibrant future for Android applications.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Your next Pixel update could make it easier to check your Now Playing history (APK teardown)

Google has introduced a dedicated app icon for the Now Playing feature in the latest Android Canary build for its Pixel lineup. This icon directs users to the Now Playing history page within the Android System Intelligence app, which was previously accessible via a widget shortcut. The feature identifies songs playing in the background and allows users to review a history of recognized tracks. Currently, the app icon is disabled by default, and there are no plans to extend the Now Playing functionality beyond the Pixel devices.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Windows 11 is getting a new news widget, but you’re probably not going to like it

Microsoft is enhancing the user experience of Windows 11 widgets with a new Copilot-powered news feed that replaces the traditional MSN News feed. The redesigned widget system curates content based on user interests, providing concise summaries of relevant news topics and operating significantly faster than the previous version. Users can upvote or downvote articles and exclude specific sources from their feed. Articles will now open directly within the widgets panel instead of redirecting to a separate browser window. The integration of AI aims to improve content delivery, although concerns about potential inaccuracies remain.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Facer officially returns to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 in massive update

The Facer app has integrated Wear OS 6 as of July 24, introducing Watch Face Format (WFF) faces that enhance battery efficiency and support Always-On Display modes. The update includes the "Rosetta Stone" tool, allowing creators to design watch faces compatible with both WFF and Apple Watches. Facer has launched a social feature called "Looks" for users to share their watch styles. The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic now support custom watch faces, with a dedicated storefront for easy access. WFF-compatible faces include designs from popular franchises like Fallout, Star Trek, and NASA. Facer offers a limited-time promo for new Premium members at .99 for the first year. The app aims to support future Wear OS 6 devices, including the Pixel Watch 4, while other applications like WatchMaker and TIMEFLIK are also becoming compatible with Wear OS 6.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Google faces new EU antitrust complaint over restrictions on removing pre-installed Android apps

A coalition of five digital rights and privacy organizations has filed a complaint against Google under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), alleging that the company restricts user autonomy on Android devices by making it difficult to remove or disable pre-installed applications like Google Search, Chrome, and Maps. The complaint claims that Google, designated as a ‘gatekeeper’ under the DMA, fails to comply with legal obligations to allow users to uninstall default services easily. Users reportedly face hidden settings, complicated instructions, and misleading warnings when trying to disable Google apps, which the coalition argues are designed to keep users reliant on Google's services. The European Commission has received the complaint and will review it as part of its enforcement process for the DMA, which allows for fines up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue and mandates changes in business practices for compliance.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Microsoft Windows AI Upgrade—2 Reasons To Change Your Browser

Microsoft is encouraging Windows users to switch from Google Chrome to its Edge browser by promoting its integration with Windows and highlighting AI-powered tools, productivity enhancements, and security features. A key feature in this campaign is Recall, which captures screenshots and indexes content for easy retrieval. Recall has faced privacy concerns, leading to improvements in its relaunch, including better redaction of sensitive information. Brave has responded by disabling Recall by default for its users and implementing measures to ensure its tabs are treated as private, preventing Recall from capturing their content. Currently, Brave holds just under 2% of the desktop browser market, while Chrome has nearly 70%.

Tech Optimizer

July 24, 2025

Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Limitless Database is now available in 22 additional Regions

The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Limitless Database has launched in various regions, including the US West (Northern California), Africa (Cape Town), Asia Pacific (Hyderabad, Jakarta, Melbourne), Canada (Central and West), Europe (London, Milan, Paris, Spain, Zurich), Israel (Tel Aviv), Mexico (Central), the Middle East (Bahrain, UAE), and South America (Sao Paulo). It features a serverless endpoint that distributes data and queries across multiple Amazon Aurora Serverless instances, ensuring transactional consistency and enhancing performance. The database includes distributed query planning and transaction management, dynamically allocates compute resources based on workload fluctuations, and supports PostgreSQL versions 16.6 and 16.8. Users can create an Aurora PostgreSQL Limitless Database via the Amazon RDS console.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

IT buyers are investing in AI PCs — with no clue how to use them

The adoption of AI-powered personal computers is expected to increase significantly in the coming year, driven by Qualcomm's announcement of new AI chips for affordable models priced around 0. Despite the slower evolution of AI software compared to hardware, the relevance of AI in computing is growing, with many applications utilizing AI hardware or neural processing units (NPUs). Microsoft has introduced Copilot+ PCs to promote generative AI tools and encourage the acquisition of Windows 11-compatible hardware. Major chip manufacturers like Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD are developing processors with AI capabilities for these PCs, indicating a shift in the computing landscape.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Epic Games Store releases new PC free game of the week in latest limited time deal

The Epic Games Store offers a unique digital distribution platform that features regular free games to attract users and foster community. It has a favorable revenue-sharing model for developers, allowing them to retain more earnings, which appeals to both indie developers and major studios. The store has formed strategic partnerships with various developers and publishers, enhancing its library and providing exclusive content. Community engagement is emphasized, with user feedback actively sought to improve the gaming experience. The store's focus on innovation and support for developers positions it for future growth in the gaming industry.