emoji Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Valheim player keeps building Dollar Generals despite friend begging them to stop: ‘I do not want to play Valheim with Greg anymore’

Greg, known as "The Sorcerer" in Valheim, has been constructing Dollar Generals in unexpected locations, which has sparked amusement and frustration among fellow players. His friend Woman Mage expressed disbelief at the absurdity of the situation, while another player, Paladin Posting, discovered multiple Dollar Generals and reacted with exasperation. Greg also built a giant emoji sign and a Waffle House in a swamp, which he humorously noted was resilient like its real-world counterpart. Paladin Posting's incredulity grew with the Waffle House, which featured a solitary skeleton as staff, leading to complaints about the service. Greg's creative antics continue to entertain and disrupt the typical gameplay experience.

AppWizard

January 1, 2026

3 apps I’m actually using to keep my New Year’s resolutions

Many individuals set resolutions to enhance their lives at the start of the new year, and various innovative apps have emerged for habit tracking. HabitKit is a simple habit-tracking app that allows users to input habits and goals, represented in a contribution graph. Users can customize their experience by adding habits with titles, colors, and symbols, setting streak goals, receiving reminders, and categorizing habits. The app features robust analytics for tracking long-term progress and offers widgets for home screen display. Finch is a digital companion that encourages daily check-ins and emphasizes self-care and mental well-being. It suggests habits like staying hydrated and practicing mindfulness, while also incorporating gamification elements for user engagement. A traditional method for habit tracking involves using a calendar app, such as Google Calendar, integrated with Google Tasks. This allows users to create dedicated lists for habits, although it lacks built-in analytics and may require more discipline to maintain consistency. Finding the right habit tracking app is essential for personal growth and goal achievement, and committing to a single platform can yield surprising results over time.

AppWizard

December 19, 2025

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 quietly upgrades Pixel phones where it counts

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 has been released, likely serving as the final refinement before Android 17. Users can disable the "At a Glance" widget on their home screens. The Quick Settings tile now includes a slider for beam intensity control. Users can rearrange the back and recent keys in the three-button navigation bar. The beta version is available for Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 onward, with a stable version expected around March 2026. The update introduces an expandable location indicator in the status bar for app location access. It also includes support for over 160 new emoji from Unicode 17.0. Users should be aware of potential bugs and performance issues while using the beta software.

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

December 15, 2025

Google Maps in Gemini just got way smarter at finding your next favorite spot

Gemini has revamped its local search functionality by prioritizing a map view in search results, enhancing the user experience with a more intuitive interface. Users will see a map first, followed by visually appealing cards for each location that include photos, star ratings, and highlights from reviews. The update features engaging emoji-style pins for clarity in identifying different types of establishments. This update is currently being rolled out for English-speaking users on both mobile and desktop versions of Gemini, transforming the platform into a more effective tool for discovering local experiences.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

White House really posted image of Trump as Minecraft character

In December 2025, an image of U.S. President Donald Trump as a Minecraft character circulated on social media, attributed to the official White House X account, with the caption "AMERICA'S MOST PRO-GAMER PRESIDENT." The image was verified as authentic by Snopes, originating from a genuine White House post in response to an article about video game developers and tax credits. This was not the first instance of the White House using video game imagery; a previous post featured Trump as Master Chief from Halo. However, the Minecraft image raised concerns about authenticity due to anomalies in the character model and the intricate design of the American flag pin. AI detection tools indicated a high likelihood that the image was AI-generated, despite the post's authenticity.

Winsage

December 11, 2025

5 essential Windows apps I always install on new PCs (and how they’re uniquely powerful)

ShareX is a versatile screen capture tool that offers various image capture methods, including capturing the entire screen, a specific window, or a designated region, and it can also record videos. It includes powerful editing tools that allow users to add shapes and text, crop areas, incorporate emoji stickers, and blur or pixelate sensitive information. ShareX enables direct uploads to third-party platforms like Google Drive and Imgur, enhancing productivity for visual communication.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Dawn of War 4 developer confirms it’s adding its most-requested feature, and now I can breathe a sigh of relief

Warhammer 40k Dawn of War 4 is highly anticipated, particularly due to the introduction of Lion el'Jonson and a focus on the original game's essence. Developers Jan Theysen and Elliott Verbiest engaged with the community during an AMA, indicating that initial playtest feedback is positive. King Art Games has compiled a list of around 200 potential features and improvements based on player desires. Customizable hotkeys are in development, and a replay system and observer mode are confirmed, though they may be added after launch. The game will utilize the 10th edition of Warhammer 40k for gameplay and units, despite the upcoming 11th edition. Details on modding capabilities are currently limited, but updates are promised.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

Creating your own Android wallpaper isn’t hard, and it’s totally worth it

A recent poll by Android Authority found that among respondents, 32% create wallpapers using images from their cameras, 7% use drawing apps or wallpaper creators, 9% let their phones generate wallpapers, 23% rely on wallpaper apps, 27% download wallpapers from the internet, and 2% indicated other methods. Users can create personalized wallpapers through drawing, photography, or by using smartphone features that generate wallpapers automatically. Online tools like Canva and Kapwing are also available for those who want to design their own wallpapers.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Android users warned to check phones now as Google bans apps

Recent findings have revealed that certain widely-used Android applications have been involved in an adware campaign, identified as 'GhostAd', which drains phone resources and disrupts normal usage. This malicious software disguised itself as utility and emoji-editing tools and infiltrated at least 15 applications, targeting unsuspecting users. Many of these compromised apps were available on Google’s Play Store, including the GenMoji Studio app, which became popular in the 'Top Free Tools' category. Users reported issues such as disappearing app icons, intrusive advertisement pop-ups, and sluggish device performance after installation. Google has removed all compromised applications from its Play Store, but users who installed them must manually delete the harmful software. Check Point noted that the GhostAd campaign blurs the line between marketing and malware, repurposing users' phones to generate revenue. To protect against future threats, users are advised to scrutinize app reviews, verify the app creator's reputation, and exercise caution with permissions.