expanding accessibility Archives

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

Epic Games introduces a webshop service available on both PC and mobile platforms

Epic Games has launched the Epic Web Shops service for PC and mobile users, allowing developers to create direct-to-consumer storefronts for in-game content. Developers can keep all earnings from their first million in net revenue, after which the revenue split is 88% for developers and 12% for Epic. Purchases through the Web Shops will earn players Epic Rewards. The Web Shops will be featured on product pages under a 'Web Shop' tab on PCs, with mobile support expected later this year. The service supports consumable sales but not Web3 games. Codename Entertainment is the first to implement a live Web Shop with their game, Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Google says Gemini 2.5 models are only getting better with Deep Think and Flash

Google has announced enhancements to its Gemini 2.5 models, including the 2.5 Pro version and the new 2.5 Flash model, which improves speed and efficiency. The 2.5 Pro will include native audio output controls for developers to customize speech. Enhanced security measures will protect against malicious instructions and prompt injection attacks. Project Mariner's functionality will be integrated into Gemini and Vertex AI. Google is also introducing insightful summaries for developers to aid in debugging, along with cost control features through a "thinking budget." A generally available model will be released, and support for Model Context Protocol (MCP) will facilitate the integration of open-source tools into Gemini projects.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Expanding Copilot+ PC experiences across AMD, Intel and Snapdragon powered devices

Last year, Copilot+ PCs were introduced as the fastest, most intelligent, and secure Windows PCs. They have since integrated new silicon, devices, and AI experiences to enhance user interaction and productivity. New accessibility features include Live Captions, which provide real-time translations in English for audio and video content during virtual meetings and media playback, now available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for Simplified Chinese and translations from over 40 languages. Voice Access has also been updated to improve navigation through voice commands. AI-enabled creativity features are now available on AMD and Intel devices, including Cocreator in Paint, which allows users to create designs using text prompts and freehand drawing, and new tools in Photos for transforming images and creating visuals based on prompts. Some features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, requiring the November 2024 update. Features may vary by device and region, with updates continuing through 2025. Users can check for updates in Windows Settings.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Perplexity is getting one of Android’s coolest AI features

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, announced a new feature for Android devices that enhances user interaction with the AI tool, similar to Google's Circle to Search. During a demonstration, users could circle a bullet point about Roger Federer to inquire about his net worth, and Perplexity provided a prompt response after conducting an online search. The feature does not have a specified launch date and is currently unavailable in the app, although users can still use Google's Circle to Search. Initial tests showed Google's method yielded faster results, but both provided the same information. The new feature aims to make similar capabilities accessible to a broader audience, particularly those with older Android devices. Perplexity is noted for delivering more accurate responses than its competitor, Gemini, and is preferred by many users as a default phone assistant.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Amtrak Enhances Mobile App to Improve the Travel Experience

Amtrak is modernizing its trains, stations, and infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for rail services across over 500 destinations in 46 states and parts of Canada. The company is focused on enhancing the travel experience and expanding accessibility while promoting environmentally friendly travel options. Travelers can access information through Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, and social media platforms. Amtrak offers a Guest Rewards program that allows members to earn points for travel benefits.

BetaBeacon

March 14, 2025

Google is bringing a lot more Android games to PCs

Google Play Games is expanding to include PC games, with all mobile Android games automatically available on the platform unless developers choose to opt out. Google is introducing a new "playability badge" system to highlight game performance on PC, with plans to open up the program to all PC developers later this year.

AppWizard

March 13, 2025

Google expands it PC gaming platform to support ALL Android games and more PC games

Enthusiasts have sought to connect Android gaming with Windows PCs, gaining momentum since Google launched Google Play Games for Windows in 2022. The platform initially had a limited selection of Android games but has expanded to thousands of titles and now supports native PC games. Google announced that all mobile games will be available on PC by default, though developers can opt out, potentially leaving some popular games unavailable. To address compatibility, Google is implementing “playability badges” to indicate whether games are optimized for PC or simply playable. New features include support for custom controls, a game sidebar for adjustments, and multi-account capabilities. Google is collaborating with PC manufacturers to preload Google Play Games on select devices, while the platform remains in beta. Additionally, Google Play for PC is enhancing support for native games through a new SDK for developers.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Apple TV+ App to Be Offered for Android Devices

Apple TV+ will be available on Android devices starting February 12, marking the first time the app is accessible on Android platforms, specifically for devices running Android 10 or newer. Users can subscribe to Apple TV+ and the MLS Season Pass through the app. Prior to this, the app was compatible with various devices, including Roku and smart TVs. Apple reported .12 billion in revenue from its services sector in the fourth quarter, a 14% increase year-over-year, and has surpassed 1 billion subscriptions. In October, Apple TV+ was added to Amazon Prime Video's subscription options in the U.S. The streaming industry is facing challenges such as consumer dissatisfaction and rising subscription costs.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Apple Is Ready to Play Nice With Android, Launching a New Apple TV App for Mobile

Android users can now access the Apple TV+ app on Google Play, allowing them to stream shows like Severance and Silo. Previously, Apple TV+ was available on various television operating systems and gaming consoles, but not on Android devices. The subscription for Apple TV+ is priced at .99 per month, while the MLS Season Pass is available for .99 per month. The app features a "Continue Watching" section and allows downloads for offline viewing, although Google Cast will not be available at launch. Apple has streamlined the subscription process for the app on Google TV. Additionally, Apple is in the third season of its partnership with Major League Soccer, with the next season starting on February 22, offering all games through the MLS Season Pass without regional blackouts.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Report: Apple to release Apple TV Plus app for Android mobile devices

Apple is launching an Apple TV Plus app specifically for Android mobile devices, which will be available through the Google Play Store. This app aims to improve accessibility for Android users who previously accessed Apple TV Plus content via a web browser. The initiative reflects Apple's strategy to enhance user experience and potentially increase its subscriber base. Apple has also developed streaming applications for platforms like Roku and Android TV, and recently offered subscriptions to Apple TV Plus through Amazon’s Prime Video app. The platform features popular shows such as “Severance,” “Ted Lasso,” “Silo,” and “Shrinking,” along with live sports coverage, including Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer events.