Google Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Android 17’s first QPR gets a second beta, fixing instability and glitchy gestures

Google is rolling out Beta 2 of the Android 17 QPR1 update to enrolled Pixel users, addressing issues from the initial testing phase. The update fixes swipe gesture problems, a "visual instability" when navigating between apps, and Bluetooth tethering issues. Beta 1 previously resolved several key bugs. The transition from Beta 1 to Beta 2 reflects Google's focus on reliability and performance enhancements. Android 17 is expected to launch in mid-2026, with QPR1 updates likely rolling out around August or September.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Today’s best Android app deals and freebies: Hyper Light Drifter, Sproggiwood, Legend of Keepers, more

The afternoon features a selection of Android game and app deals, including Hyper Light Drifter – S.E., Sproggiwood, Buff Knight: Offline Idle RPG, Candleman, Legend of Keepers, Wreckfest – Demolition Racing, and Ninja Hero Cats Premium. The 512GB Galaxy Z Fold 7 is available with a 9% discount. The Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are discounted by 5%. Lenovo’s RTX 5090 Legion Pro 7i OLED gaming laptop has a ,000 discount. Google’s Pixel Watch 4 LTE is at an all-time low price on Amazon.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

The old Fitbit app is becoming Google Health in under two weeks — here’s what to know

The Fitbit app will transition to the Google Health app on May 19 through an automatic update, ensuring all Fitbit data carries over. Google Fit users will be able to migrate their data later this year. Fitbit Premium is rebranded as Google Health Premium, with an annual subscription price increase. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in over 30 countries will receive this premium service at no extra cost. The updated Google Health app will feature enhanced leaderboards for step tracking and cardio load, improved cycle tracking, and a flagship feature called Health Coach, which requires a Google Health Premium subscription. Basic features like activity tracking and health monitoring will remain available for free, while premium functionalities will be powered by AI. The Health Premium subscription will be complimentary for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, expanding access compared to the previous Fitbit Premium availability.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Messenger Statistics By Revenue, Usage And Behavior (2026)

Messenger has approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of the first quarter of 2026. In the first half of 2026, it generated USD 3.2 billion in non-ad revenue, reflecting a 63% year-over-year growth. In India, there are 424.3 million Messenger users, making up 28.7% of the country's population. South-Eastern Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users in 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. The user base shows a gender disparity with 55.5% male users and 44.5% female users, and is primarily favored by those aged 25–34, who comprise 32.4% of users. Messenger has surpassed 5 billion downloads on the Google Play Store, with users spending an average of 3 hours and 21 minutes per month on the app. It supports customer communication for over 40 million businesses, with approximately 80% of messages opened within the first hour. Messenger.com received 244.62 million visits in March 2026, a 30.67% increase from February. Chatbots on the platform handle up to 80% of routine inquiries, and the engagement rates for campaigns are high, with open rates ranging from 70% to 88%. Overall, Messenger is among the top three or four most-used platforms globally, trailing only behind Facebook and WhatsApp.

Winsage

May 7, 2026

Upwind expands runtime protection to Windows Server VMs

Upwind has expanded its runtime protection and visibility offerings to include Windows Server virtual machines (VMs) on major cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. This integration applies to Windows Server 2016 and later versions and enhances runtime monitoring and detection workflows. Upwind's Windows Sensor provides visibility into host activities, including process executions, network connections, and DNS requests, while also conducting continuous assessments for vulnerabilities and configuration issues. The telemetry collected aids in real-time detection of potential security threats and supports ongoing vulnerability scanning. The integration of Windows Server VMs into Upwind's Runtime Map, Detections, and Sensor components allows for unified monitoring and risk prioritization across cloud environments. This expansion aims to address the critical need for runtime behavior insights in cloud security, particularly for businesses relying on Windows Server for essential applications.

BetaBeacon

May 7, 2026

GameNative adds multi-frame generation to PC games on Android devices, unlocking up to 100 fps gameplay — Vulkan version of Lossless Scaling boosts performance

Android PC gaming is improving with apps like GameNative and GameHub, allowing users to play PC games on mobile devices. GameNative now supports multi-frame generation technology for a better gaming experience. Some users have reported smooth gameplay on high-end devices, but there are still issues with driver and API support that need improvement.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Google Gemini is finally becoming the personal assistant we were promised

Google is developing an AI assistant named "Remy," powered by its Gemini technology, which aims to function as a digital operator managing various tasks. Internal testing is underway, and Remy will be integrated within the Gemini app to assist with work, school, and personal responsibilities while adapting to user preferences. Google employees are already engaging with Remy in trials. The Gemini app currently summarizes emails, responds to inquiries, creates documents, and interacts with Google services, with Remy's potential extending beyond these capabilities. Google has enhanced Gemini's planning and agent features, preparing Remy for more autonomous tasks. Project Mariner, an experimental browser agent, has concluded, and its technology is now part of Gemini Agent. Researchers have raised security concerns regarding AI agents due to their access to sensitive information. While an official launch date for Remy is not announced, Google suggests that 2026 will be significant for Android, with Gemini absorbing functionalities from the legacy Google Assistant. The development of such assistants raises privacy concerns as users may be uneasy about granting extensive access to their personal lives.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

The Invisible Messenger: How imo Quietly Built 200 Million Users by Serving Migrant Workers

imo is a messaging application launched in 2007 by two former Google engineers, which has over 200 million active users. It focuses on labor migrants from the Global South, offering reliable video calling even on poor connections. The app grew organically as migrants shared it with their families and communities, particularly in regions with limited connectivity. imo has developed into a fully-featured messaging platform, serving as essential infrastructure for millions of migrant families to maintain connections. Its growth strategy involved avoiding direct competition in saturated markets and addressing the specific needs of migrant workers.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Milestone 1.0.0 Release of APK Downloader `apkeep` Powers Research on

Last week, apkeep released version 1.0.0, marking a significant milestone after four years of development. This version includes features such as the ability to download a dex metadata file linked to an app with a Cloud Profile, anonymous login for app downloads via a token from the Aurora Store, the option to specify device profiles for app downloads, and a fix for an authentication bug caused by the Play Store API. apkeep is now also available through Homebrew for macOS users. The new features are influenced by researchers, particularly the dex metadata download capability, which aids in studying Android compilation profiles. Various research projects, including Exodus Privacy and a study on Android evasive malware, have utilized apkeep. The project aims to expand support for additional app providers beyond Google Play, including F-Droid. Users are encouraged to share their experiences and consider donating to support the project.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Google’s AI Search is finally doing a better job of linking to the web

Google is enhancing its AI Search Mode with new features aimed at improving trust and discovery. The updates will include deeper follow-up query suggestions, easier access to subscribed news sources, and more inline links and user perspectives from forums and social media in AI-generated responses. Users will receive comprehensive prompts for exploring topics, and content from their subscriptions will be highlighted for quicker access. The enhancements will also provide previews of discussions from social media and increase embedded links within AI responses for additional context.