initiative Archives

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

The Google Home app seemingly has a few small changes for its UI in the works

Google is enhancing its Home app to simplify smart device management with user interface modifications. Upcoming updates will include a dedicated QR scanner in the Devices tab and a search bar in the Favorites section. In December, Google began a Public Preview test for the "Help me create" feature, which uses Gemini AI to help users automate their smart home systems by defining a Starter, Condition, and Action. Additionally, a separate Public Preview test for "Gemini in Assistant" aims to improve responses for Nest devices, allowing users to interrupt or request clarification from the Assistant.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Pimpri Chinchwad police start app to address traffic woes | Pune News – The Times of India

Pimpri Chinchwad police have launched a mobile messenger-based application to enable citizens to report traffic-related issues, currently in its pilot phase. Citizens can upload images of traffic violations through their mobile messenger without needing to download a separate app. The application allows the traffic police to respond promptly and issue ‘e-Challans’ to violators identified through citizen submissions and CCTV footage. Additionally, the police are developing a separate app for senior citizens, featuring an emergency call function and local information. Both applications are part of a digital transformation strategy and are nearing completion. The police department has also revamped its website for better accessibility.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Japan orders Google to unwind deals with smartphone OEMs

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has ordered Google to stop certain business practices related to its Android operating system, specifically the Mobile Application Distribution Agreements (MADAs) that required manufacturers to pre-install specific Google applications. The JFTC found that these agreements violate Japan’s Antimonopoly Act, stifling competition and creating market barriers. Google must cease mandating pre-installation of its applications, allow installation of competing products, and enable users to choose their default search service. This action is the first regulatory measure by the JFTC against a major American tech firm. Additionally, Google is facing scrutiny for allegedly obstructing Yahoo! Japan's use of its advertising technology and has been warned of fines for not opening its app store to more competition. Globally, Google is dealing with antitrust challenges, including potential forced divestitures in the U.S. The company has also signed a power purchase agreement in Taiwan for a ten-megawatt geothermal energy project, aiming to pursue similar initiatives in Asia.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Android is getting smarter about spotting battery-hungry apps

Google has introduced a new metric in the Play Console beta to identify excessive background wake locks that can cause battery drain. This tool allows developers to track apps that maintain wake locks for over three hours within a 24-hour period when not in use. Google is collaborating with smartphone manufacturers like Samsung to establish performance standards for Android devices. The initiative is part of a multi-year plan to provide developers with insights into app performance and may lead to additional metrics focusing on performance and battery efficiency. The excessive wake lock metric is currently in beta, and Google is seeking developer feedback for refinement.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Android addressing ‘excessive’ battery drain with new app wake locks metric

Google is launching an initiative to help developers optimize wake lock behavior in Android applications to reduce battery drain. A new metric in the Android Vitals section of the Play Console will track "excessive wake locks," defined as instances where the cumulative duration of all partial wake locks exceeds three hours within a 24-hour period. This metric currently monitors wake locks only when the app is running in the background without a foreground service. Google is collaborating with manufacturers like Samsung to enhance this initiative and has released updated developer documentation to guide effective implementation. Developers are encouraged to provide feedback on this beta metric, which aims to improve performance and battery life insights. Future plans may include additional metrics to address other performance issues.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Ubisoft open sources its colourblind simulation tool Chroma

Ubisoft has launched Chroma, a colourblind simulation tool aimed at improving game accessibility for individuals with colourblindness. The initiative, started in 2021 by Ubisoft's quality control team in India, has streamlined the assessment process for colourblind players. David Tisserand, Ubisoft's director of accessibility, noted the tool's effectiveness and invited industry feedback for its ongoing development. Quality control product manager Jawad Shakil emphasized Chroma's purpose in integrating colour blindness accessibility into the creative and testing processes, highlighting collaboration with accessibility experts to ensure its efficiency. Ubisoft plans to open-source Chroma to benefit the broader gaming industry.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Duval County students excited to explore Jacksonville through Minecraft competition

The City of Jacksonville has launched a citywide Build Challenge using Minecraft Education to engage students in Duval County. The initiative invites all students, regardless of school type, to envision solutions for Jacksonville's future by designing a sustainable riverfront community hub. The program aims to inspire creativity, advance STEM and urban planning, strengthen civic engagement, develop 21st-century skills, and celebrate student achievements. Participants can collaborate in teams of up to five, with submissions due by noon on May 2. The top eight teams will compete in the Mayor’s Cup in an in-person esports-style challenge. Jacksonville is one of 25 cities globally participating in the Minecraft Education program.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

There’s a quiet PC boom happening – thanks to Windows 10 and the tariffs

In the first quarter of 2025, PC shipments increased by 12.6% compared to the same quarter in 2024, with over 16 million computers dispatched. All six leading PC vendors in the United States reported growth in shipments: HP shipped 4.1 million PCs (25.1% market share), Dell shipped 3.9 million (23.9% market share), Lenovo shipped 3.1 million (19.2% market share), Apple shipped 2.6 million (15.9% market share), Acer shipped 944,000 (5.8% market share), and ASUS shipped 464,000 (2.8% market share). Globally, PC shipments reached 58.9 million units, a 4.8% increase from 56.2 million the previous year. Lenovo led the global market, followed by HP, Dell, Apple, Acer, and ASUS. In Japan, demand for PCs, particularly for replacing Windows 11 systems and the adoption of Chromebooks, drove a shipment growth of 15.6%.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

‘Trust continues to be tampered with’: A thread about SBMM in the upcoming Battlefield game is the final straw as an EA community manager lets loose on leakers

Electronic Arts (EA) has launched a community testing program called Battlefield Labs for the upcoming Battlefield game, allowing players to test potential features and collaborate on development. However, participants have leaked gameplay footage, causing frustration for EA. A controversial topic among players is the rumored introduction of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), which many believe could negatively impact gameplay enjoyment. David Sirland, the lead producer, reassured the community that the testing phase is temporary. Community manager T0TALfps emphasized that not all features tested will make it to the final game and warned against sharing out-of-context information, which could damage trust. The next Battlefield game is set in a modern-day environment and will return to traditional classes and focused maps. T0TALfps urged players to be patient and supportive during the development process, stating that official information will only be shared when EA is ready.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Minecraft meets Jacksonville: City invites students to reimagine public spaces

The City of Jacksonville is launching a citywide Minecraft build challenge for K-12 and college students in Duval County, starting on April 14. Participants will redesign Jacksonville's public spaces, focusing on sustainability and collaboration. The competition has four divisions: Elementary (3rd-5th grade), Middle (6th-8th grade), High School (9th-12th grade), and College. Teams can have up to five members and two alternates. Entries are due by May 2, with the top eight teams advancing to a live final event, the Mayor’s Cup, on May 20. More information is available at Jacksonville.gov/minecraft.