Google apps Archives

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

5 apps I recommend you use instead of Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a free tool that integrates with other Google services like Gmail, Drive, and Tasks, and recently added integration with Gemini for creating calendar entries. However, it lacks visual appeal, does not support natural language processing for date and time input, and raises data privacy concerns among users. Proton Calendar offers end-to-end encryption for privacy, a simple design with purple accents, and limited third-party integrations, with a free version allowing three calendars and a subscription for more features. Notion Calendar integrates with existing Notion databases, supports shared calendars and scheduling links, and offers pop-up notifications, but is most beneficial for Notion users. Any.do combines task management with calendar functionality, integrates with major calendar providers, and has a user-friendly design, though some features require a premium plan. Business Calendar 2 features a professional design, includes a dedicated Birthday view, integrates a Tasks section, and offers a customizable floating action button, with a free version and a premium subscription for additional features. One Calendar supports various calendar services, has a unique task management system requiring a separate app, and allows for custom themes, with both free and premium versions available.

BetaBeacon

October 22, 2025

Samsung Galaxy XR: Price, specs, games, controllers, and everything you need to know

Samsung Galaxy XR is a mixed reality headset designed for augmented reality and virtual reality experiences, primarily used for productivity and entertainment such as making videos, working with virtual monitors, watching movies in a virtual theater, and playing games on a virtual screen. The headset features a design similar to Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest Pro, with the option to wear it with or without light blockers. It can be used with motion-tracked controllers sold separately. The device includes cutting-edge hardware like micro-OLED panels, pancake lenses, eye tracking, and high-resolution cameras. The software is powered by Android XR, allowing for mixed-reality passthrough and compatibility with Google apps like Google Photos, Google Maps, YouTube, and Chrome.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Introducing Galaxy XR, the first Android XR headset

The Galaxy XR features an expansive screen for exploring applications and includes the Gemini assistant for intuitive navigation using voice commands, hand gestures, and eye movements. It runs on Android and provides access to a wide range of applications from Google Play, including streaming services like Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock, enhanced Google apps, games from various studios, and over 50 new XR experiences from brands like Adobe and MLB. The device supports open standards such as OpenXR and WebXR, and the Gemini assistant enhances user interaction by understanding visual and interactive context for streamlined assistance across applications.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

I ditched Android emulators for this open-source app, and I can’t imagine ever going back

The integration of Android applications into desktop environments is increasingly popular due to their superior functionality compared to desktop versions. Applications like WhatsApp and Google Maps demonstrate enhanced usability on Android, with features such as flexible window resizing and better multitasking capabilities. Waydroid is an open-source project that allows Android apps to run on Linux systems without the performance issues associated with traditional emulators. It utilizes Linux namespaces and shares the host OS's kernel for near-native performance. Users can customize their experience by choosing builds with or without Google apps, and once installed, Android apps integrate into the PC's application menu. Waydroid offers smooth performance and the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously, although it has some limitations, such as restricted hardware access and notification issues. Despite these drawbacks, Waydroid presents a viable solution for users looking to combine Android and desktop computing.

AppWizard

August 31, 2025

Messaging app on your Galaxy phone gets more expressive design

Google is updating its Google Messages app with a new design called Material 3 Expressive, which began rolling out to users, especially those with Galaxy devices. The redesign features a container-centric layout, with chat threads housed in rounded containers for better organization. The interface includes a revamped emoji picker and a repositioned search bar for emojis below the tab bar. The Plus menu for adding attachments has also been redesigned with monochrome icons in pill-shaped containers. Additionally, enhancements are being made to other Google applications like Google Clock, Contacts, Phone, Gmail, and Translate for Android.

BetaBeacon

August 31, 2025

Google to collect more data about your Android gaming habits soon

Google is rolling out enhanced gaming profiles globally starting on September 23, 2025, with a slight delay for the UK and European Economic Area. The new profiles will provide Google with more data about game activity, progress, achievements, and rankings. Privacy settings will remain intact, and users can adjust them in the settings menu.

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.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Samsung plans to make Now Bar more useful by nearly doubling app support

Samsung's Now Bar feature, initially introduced with the Galaxy S25 series, has expanded to the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip with the One UI 8 update. As of June 2025, it supports approximately 20 applications, including those from Samsung, Google, and third-party developers, with plans to increase this number to 35 by the end of 2025. The expansion is enabled by a new API in One UI 8 based on Android 16, allowing applications to create “Live Notifications.” Current compatible applications include various Samsung apps (e.g., Media Player, Notes, SmartThings TV Remote), Google apps (e.g., Google Maps), and third-party apps (e.g., Uber, Waymo). Samsung's documentation lists 19 specific applications but suggests a 20th app is forthcoming.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

I tested the new Gemini app on my Galaxy Watch 8, and it’s close to excellent

Gemini has begun its phased rollout on Android watches equipped with Wear OS 4 and above. It offers improved natural language command recognition and tailored responses from Google's Search LLM, allowing users to interact seamlessly with Google and Samsung applications. Gemini can create Google Calendar reminders and YouTube Music playlists through voice commands. It provides specific examples in response to queries, such as suggesting foods rich in carotenoids, and can deliver concise answers to spontaneous inquiries. Gemini efficiently pulls data from Search and Maps for tasks like finding local theater showtimes and creating calendar entries. Users can select default applications for tasks, enhancing speed and functionality. Battery consumption is manageable, with only about 20% used during a full afternoon of heavy use. However, it occasionally misinterprets commands and could benefit from brevity in responses. A "View on phone" button and better recognition of speech completion would improve user experience. Support for the new One UI 8 Watch Tile format could enhance functionality further.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

The best Android apps available right now

1Weather is a weather app with a clean interface, customizable widgets, and severe weather alerts, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Bitwarden is a free password manager offering unlimited storage and two-factor authentication, with premium options for enhanced features. ChatGPT is an AI service from OpenAI that allows users to perform various tasks, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Focus Go is a simple gallery app that organizes images into folders and offers a fast search and filter system, available for free. Google Drive provides 15GB of free cloud storage and integrates with Google apps for productivity, with optional in-app purchases. Google Keep is a note-taking app that allows users to create and organize notes across devices, available for free. Google Maps and Waze are leading navigation apps, offering features like offline maps and real-time traffic data, both available for free. Google Gemini is an AI tool for managing tasks and accessing information, available for free. Google Voice offers a second phone number for personal and professional use in the US, available for free with optional purchases. Microsoft SwiftKey is a customizable keyboard app with predictive text features, available for free. Mozilla Firefox is a mobile browser with extensive add-on support, available for free. Nova Launcher is a customizable launcher app for Android, available for free with an optional premium version. Pocket Casts is a podcast management app with a user-friendly interface, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Poweramp is an offline music player with extensive features, available for a free trial and optional premium version. Solid Explorer is a file manager app with a clean design and powerful features, available for a free trial and optional premium version. Tasker and IFTTT are automation tools, with Tasker catering to power users and IFTTT offering a more accessible approach, with prices starting at .49. Textra is an SMS app with customizable themes and multi-device messaging sync, available for free with optional Pro unlock. TickTick is a task management app that combines tasks, reminders, and calendar events, available for free with an optional premium plan. YouTube and YouTube Music are content apps providing vast libraries of video and music, available for free with optional premium subscriptions. Zedge offers wallpapers, ringtones, and notification sounds for device customization, available for free with optional premium content. ExpressVPN is a secure VPN service with fast speeds, 256-bit encryption, and servers in 94 countries, offering unlimited bandwidth.