Google Play store

AppWizard
May 7, 2025
Shazam was launched in the UK in 2002 as a service where users could call a number to identify songs for a fee. Acquired by Apple in 2018, it remains available for Android users and integrates with various music platforms while being free to use. Shazam struggles with identifying earworms. SoundHound, Shazam's main competitor, has around 100 million users and can identify songs quickly, providing detailed information and lyrics. It allows users to hum or sing songs for identification, though this feature is not always accurate. SoundHound's free version includes ads, while SoundHound Infinity offers an ad-free experience for .99. Musixmatch is another alternative that identifies songs and focuses on lyrics, allowing users to create "lyrics cards" and offering a translation feature. It requires the actual song for identification. The Google app also provides quick song identification, including for hummed or sung versions, but gives candid feedback on user performance.
AppWizard
May 5, 2025
The Gemini app has introduced a new Android homescreen widget that is now widely available to users. The widget is highly resizable, incorporates Dynamic Color, and resembles the revamped widgets of Google Keep and Drive. It features a sparkle icon that launches the app and keyboard, and includes buttons arranged within a rounded rectangle, with a Gemini Live shortcut. Users can expand the widget to access additional functionalities like speech-to-text and the Gemini camera, and it can be configured in various layouts, including a search bar and a grid of shortcuts. The widget is part of Gemini app version 1.0.751104895 and is compatible with Android 10 and newer versions. Users can add it to their homescreen by updating the app and selecting Widgets.
AppWizard
May 2, 2025
The Google Play Store has seen a decline in available apps from 3.4 million to approximately 1.8 million since the beginning of 2024, representing a loss of nearly 47%. The "games" category lost 200,000 apps, the education sector lost around 160,700 apps, and the business category saw a reduction of 115,400 apps. This removal is part of Google's effort to combat ad fraud, particularly from "vapor apps" that misled users and generated recurring advertisements. Over 56 million downloads were affected across 180 apps. Google has implemented new policies for tracking and removing spammy applications, including expanded verification requirements, mandatory app testing, and enhanced human reviews.
AppWizard
May 1, 2025
This Thursday afternoon, the Google Play Store offers a selection of deals on Android apps and tech products. Samsung's budget-friendly S25 and S25+ smartphones are available at discounted prices, along with savings on select Samsung gaming monitors. Purchasing the Pixel 9a includes a complimentary Amazon gift card. Featured app deals include Star Wars: KOTOR 1 and 2, LIMBO, The Room series, and Ashworld.
AppWizard
May 1, 2025
Boox has launched the Go 7 series, which includes the Go 7 and Go Color 7 (Gen II) e-readers. The Go 7 features a 7-inch E Ink Carta 1300 monochrome display with a 300 ppi resolution, while the Go Color 7 uses a Kaleido 3 color E Ink panel. Both models operate on Android 13, have 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and support a microSD card. They weigh 195 grams, have adjustable front lights, and include features for handwriting with the Boox InkSense stylus. The Go 7 is priced at 9.99, and the Go Color 7 is also priced at 9.99, positioning them against competitors like the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Libra 2.
AppWizard
May 1, 2025
The Google Play Store has seen a 47 percent decline in app offerings, dropping from 3.4 million to 1.8 million apps since early 2024. This reduction is a result of Google's efforts to enhance app quality and security, including a policy overhaul that introduced stricter minimum requirements and targeted low-quality applications. In 2024, Google blocked 2.36 million policy-violating apps and banned over 158,000 developer accounts. Despite the decline in app numbers, developer activity remains strong, with over 10,400 new apps released in early 2025, a 7.1 percent increase from the previous year. The European Union's "trader status" rule did not significantly impact the decline in app numbers, as Apple's app count remained stable under similar regulations.
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