NewApp Digest
search bot

February

Microsoft says, for once, Windows update isn't to blame for Galaxy Book4 laptops losing access to C: drive — the Galaxy Connect app was the culprit, and it's been taken down from Microsoft Store
Winsage
March 24, 2026

Microsoft says, for once, Windows update isn’t to blame for Galaxy Book4 laptops losing access to C: drive — the Galaxy Connect app was the culprit, and it’s been taken down from Microsoft Store

In early February, users of Samsung's Galaxy Book4 laptops reported storage issues, specifically error messages stating, "C: is not accessible," which locked them out of their primary drive. Investigations by Microsoft and Samsung identified the Galaxy Connect app, preinstalled on these devices, as the cause of the problem due to its interaction with Windows that revoked permissions. Reports of the issue surfaced before the February 2026 security update for Windows 11, which was initially suspected to be the trigger. Microsoft acknowledged the problem on its website about ten days prior to March 16, when it was marked as "externally resolved." To help affected users, Microsoft provided a recovery article and both companies removed the Galaxy Connect app from their stores, replacing it with an older version. Only users who experienced the issue need to take action to restore their systems.
Gemini on the Pixel 10 can now handle tasks without you touching your apps
AppWizard
March 18, 2026

Gemini on the Pixel 10 can now handle tasks without you touching your apps

The Gemini screen automation feature is now available on the Pixel 10 series in the U.S., following its launch on the Galaxy S26. This feature allows users to automate tasks such as ordering food, booking rides, and arranging grocery deliveries. Free users can make approximately five requests per day, while Ultra subscribers can make up to 120 requests daily. The feature can be activated by holding the power button or using the "Hey Google" command, guiding users through tasks with real-time updates. It supports applications like Lyft, Uber, Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, and Starbucks, and can ask follow-up questions during the ordering process.
How's PC game engine usage changing? We know...
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

How’s PC game engine usage changing? We know…

The GDC conference attracted around 20,000 attendees from 85 countries. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks shared that the company limits its toy testing rating scale to one to five. The GDCo Pro's wishlist highlighted Crimson Desert, Forza Horizon 6, and Windrose as the most anticipated unreleased Steam games. New announcements included The Legend Of California and ReVamp, while Kogama was delisted due to copyright issues. Nvidia unveiled its DLSS 5 rendering model, which received mixed reactions. Titanium Court won the Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won five categories at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Steam's top releases for February 2026 included notable DLCs. Valve detailed new Steam Frame and Steam Machine Verified requirements, and Epic Games Store struggles against Apple and Google. Valve is collaborating with the FBI on Steam game malware and faces a class action lawsuit over its loot box system. Google is enhancing the PC version of Google Play Games. Nintendo's approval process for Switch 2 SKUs is slower than expected. GameDiscoverCo Pro has expanded its scanning capabilities to over 33,000 Steam titles, with Brotato emerging as a top revenue generator in the Godot engine. Godot's market share rose from 0.9% in 2020 to 7.1% in 2025, while Unity holds around 49-51% and Unreal approximately 20%. The top 50 new Unreal games grossed around .8 billion on Steam, while Unity games earned approximately [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the aftermath of GDC, the gaming community is buzzing with insights and developments. The conference attracted around 20,000 attendees from 85 countries, a notable decrease from previous years, yet the energy remained palpable. Among the lighter moments, a rogue giraffe from Dots.eco captured attention with its lively antics throughout the event. In a recent episode of The Verge podcast, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks shared an amusing anecdote about toy testing, revealing the company’s strategic decision to limit their rating scale to one to five, humorously avoiding the numbers six and seven around children during play tests. Game Discovery Insights Shifting focus to game platform and discovery news, several trends emerged from GDC: The GDCo Pro's latest wishlist charts highlighted the most anticipated unreleased Steam games from March 9th to 16th. Topping the list is Pearl Abyss' ambitious open-world ARPG, Crimson Desert, followed closely by Forza Horizon 6 and the adventurous Windrose. New announcements included the intriguing open-world title The Legend Of California, and Digital Sun's castle-defense roguelite, ReVamp, where players embody Dracula. However, Kogama faced swift delisting due to copyright issues with Minecraft's source code. Nvidia unveiled its latest rendering model, DLSS 5, at GTC, which has garnered mixed reactions—some praising its photorealistic capabilities while others dismiss it as a mere “yassify” simulator. At the GDC awards, Titanium Court took home the Grand Prize from the Independent Games Festival, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won five categories, including Game of the Year at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Steam's top releases for February 2026 were revealed, showcasing revenue tiers that included notable DLCs such as the Age Of Empires II x South America expansion. In microlinks, Valve detailed new Steam Frame and Steam Machine Verified requirements, while Epic Games Store continues to struggle against the mobile dominance of Apple and Google. Streaming showcases included the Future Games Show, which featured a release date announcement for Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core, alongside the more niche Computer Worlds showcase celebrating unique gaming experiences. Valve has begun collaborating with the FBI to address Steam game malware issues, while also facing a class action lawsuit over its loot box system. Google is ramping up efforts with the PC version of Google Play Games, promising a more extensive library of Windows titles and improved accessibility. Lastly, Nintendo's approval process for Switch 2 SKUs appears to be slower than anticipated, with developers awaiting clearance for new titles. As GDC 2026 unfolded, the palpable tension surrounding game launches was evident. Developers are increasingly seeking structured playtesting solutions, with FirstLook offering comprehensive infrastructure for recruitment, surveys, and sentiment analysis. In a recent analysis of game engines, GameDiscoverCo Pro has expanded its scanning capabilities to over 33,000 Steam titles. Notably, the indie game Brotato has emerged as a top revenue generator within the Godot engine, reflecting the growing popularity of this open-source platform. Data indicates that Godot's market share has risen significantly, from 0.9% in 2020 to 7.1% in 2025, particularly among unreleased games. Meanwhile, Unity maintains a steady share of around 49-51%, and Unreal has seen a gradual increase to approximately 20%. Interestingly, the trend of developing custom engines has declined, as the advantages of established engines become increasingly apparent. GameMaker has also lost some market share, likely to Godot's rise. In the context of revenue, the top 50 new Unreal games grossed around .8 billion on Steam, while their Unity counterparts earned approximately 0 million. This disparity highlights the different market strategies employed by developers using these engines. Finally, insights into February 2026's top-earning Roblox titles reveal the platform's dynamic landscape. The shooter Rivals leads in earnings, while Escape Tsunami For Brainrots dominates in playtime, showcasing the diverse interests of Roblox players. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the quest for understanding how players discover and engage with games remains paramount. GameDiscoverCo is dedicated to providing real-time data services to help navigate this complex landscape." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million. Rivals leads in earnings among Roblox titles, while Escape Tsunami For Brainrots dominates in playtime.
Russian Officials Use Burner Phones to Avoid State Messaging App Surveillance
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Russian Officials Use Burner Phones to Avoid State Messaging App Surveillance

Russian officials are increasingly using separate phones and SIM cards to install the state-backed messaging app, Max, due to growing distrust of the platform among government employees and state enterprise managers. Reports indicate that many officials prefer not to install Max on personal devices, often acquiring additional smartphones specifically for this purpose. Some officials register for the app using their regular numbers but continue to use separate devices for communication, and the most cautious avoid syncing contacts with their work phones. The pressure to adopt Max extends to the education sector, where students at Moscow Pedagogical State University are compelled to register for the app, with threats to their diploma access if they refuse. The university has started moving academic communication to the state messenger, with messages from the dean's office stressing the importance of registration. Additionally, a document from the Ministry of Education instructs institute directors to hold meetings with students regarding Max. Resistance is also seen in the military, with reports of servicemen in the Donetsk region refusing to comply with orders to install the app.
Android 16 brings desktop windowing to Pixel and Samsung phones
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Android 16 brings desktop windowing to Pixel and Samsung phones

Google has announced that connected display support for Android has reached general availability with the release of Android 16 QPR3. This feature allows compatible Android phones and foldable devices to initiate a new desktop session on an external display while maintaining the phone's independent state. Supported devices include the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series, as well as various Samsung devices like the Galaxy S26, Fold7, Flip7, and Tab S11. The collaboration between Google and Samsung has been crucial in developing this feature. The Android 16 QPR3 release has refined windowing behaviors, taskbar interactions, and input compatibility for mouse and keyboard usage. It introduced two new width window size classes: Large (1200dp to 1600dp) and Extra-large (1600dp and above) to assist developers in creating adaptive layouts. Navigation 3 has also been released, providing a system for managing UI flow based on Scenes. Design principles for desktop contexts have been updated, emphasizing the importance of multitasking, efficient use of screen space, and accommodating various input types. The Android Design Gallery has been launched to showcase design examples across different categories and input types. The announcement has implications for mobile advertising and app measurement, as the distinction between mobile and desktop ad inventory becomes more complex. Developers are advised to ensure their apps can adapt to changes in display configurations to maintain ad performance and measurement accuracy. Key dates include the announcement of connected display general availability on March 3, 2026, and the launch of the Android Design Gallery on March 16, 2026.
Moscow's Digital Lockdown: Mobile Internet Outages Hit Russia's Capital
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Moscow’s Digital Lockdown: Mobile Internet Outages Hit Russia’s Capital

Widespread mobile Internet outages have affected Moscow for over a week, disrupting daily life for its 12 million residents and impacting services like online payments and navigation. Since March 7, offline solutions such as pagers and paper maps have seen increased demand. The Kremlin attributes the disruptions to heightened security measures amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. Critics argue that the government uses security as a pretext to control citizens' lives. Mobile Internet disruptions have been present in Russia since June 2025 but have only recently intensified in Moscow. Freelancers report negative impacts on their work due to the outages. The Russian government has been managing Internet usage by targeting Western tech companies and promoting domestic alternatives. Access issues have also affected popular apps like Telegram. A law signed by Putin on February 20 allows the Federal Security Service (FSB) to request service suspensions from telecommunications operators, exempting them from liability for compliance. The government has a history of censoring online content and tightening control over civil liberties since Putin's return to power in 2012, with measures intensifying since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Microsoft and Samsung scramble to fix a major C: drive lockout bug on Galaxy devices — faulty Galaxy Connect app leaves users with 'limited' recovery options following recent Windows 11 update
Winsage
March 17, 2026

Microsoft and Samsung scramble to fix a major C: drive lockout bug on Galaxy devices — faulty Galaxy Connect app leaves users with ‘limited’ recovery options following recent Windows 11 update

An unusual bug affecting Windows 11 users on Samsung devices prevents access to the main C: drive, following a February 2026 security update (KB5077181). Users receive an "Access denied" message when trying to launch applications or access files. The issue is linked to a Samsung-specific application, particularly the Galaxy Connect and Galaxy Share Folder applications, which may have broken Access Control Lists in Samsung’s factory image for Windows. Affected devices include various models of the Galaxy Book 4 laptops and certain Samsung Desktop models. Users are advised to remove the affected applications or revert to a recommended version while awaiting an official resolution from Microsoft and Samsung.
Russians losing Telegram access as Kremlin moves to block popular messenger
AppWizard
March 16, 2026

Russians losing Telegram access as Kremlin moves to block popular messenger

Reports indicate a significant disruption in access to Telegram in Russia, with 7,826 complaints about outages on March 16, according to Sboy.RF. The Russian government has begun efforts to cut off Telegram access as it promotes a state-sponsored messaging alternative, Max, which also faced over 1,000 outage reports on the same day. Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov, has over a billion active users and is known for its censorship resistance, making it critical for information access in Russia and Ukraine. The Russian communications authority, Ruskomnadzor, announced plans to block Telegram in February 2023, escalating tensions. Durov reported that Russia has opened a criminal case against him for "aiding terrorism," highlighting the government's attempts to restrict access to the platform.
Search