installation Archives

AppWizard

October 13, 2026

Huion Kamvas Pad 12 review: a budget Android drawing tablet that gets the small things right

Creative Bloq's review highlights the Huion Kamvas Pad 12 as a compact, entry-level Android art tablet priced at 9 / £449. It features the new PenTech 4.0 stylus with 16,384 pressure levels, a sturdy design resembling an iPad, and an etched glass surface for a paper-like feel. The tablet runs on Android 16, supports various drawing apps, and has a battery life of up to eight hours. While it offers good color accuracy covering 99% of sRGB, it may not match the precision of higher-end models like the iPad Pro or Wacom tablets. Palm rejection could be improved, and users may need a drawing glove to prevent unintended screen interactions.

AppWizard

October 13, 2026

New Google Play Services Update Brings New Wallet Features, More

A fresh update for Google Play Services and the Google Play Store has been released, featuring several enhancements. Google Play Services v26.40 includes: - Disabling the installation of the Find Hub app and removing Find Hub capabilities on Aluminium devices. - Enhancements to system management services for improved updatability. - Updates aimed at enhancing device connectivity, performance, and overall stability. - A new feature in Google Wallet that allows users to scan and add receipts. - Google Pay on Chrome for Android now allows users to bypass the Payment Request UI when sharing their name, email, and phone number with merchants. - Improvements to merchant names in transaction notifications from Google Wallet. - An in-app message center added to Google Wallet for better communication. Google Play Store v53.6 includes: - Users will receive summarized insights and direct citations from real user reviews via Ask Play. - New tag chips at the top of the Listen cube in Collections for better content discovery. - Introduction of AI Summary in Community Posts for quick updates on trending discussions.

AppWizard

October 13, 2026

LineageOS 24 nightly build for Google Pixel 10

LineageOS has released a new nightly build, LineageOS 24.0, for the Google Pixel 10 (codenamed frankel), dated October 11, 2026, with a size of 1.61 GiB and an October 2026 security patch level. The build is named lineage-24.0-20261011-nightly-frankel-signed.zip and is based on the Android 17 framework. Installation requires the latest Android 17 firmware, a computer with adb and fastboot, USB debugging enabled, and prior booting into the stock operating system. Users should check essential features like SMS and calls, and remove Google accounts to avoid Factory Reset Protection issues. Apps requiring device-integrity checks may not function correctly. Nightly builds for the Pixel 10 Pro were reported available on October 12, 2026, while builds for other models like the Pixel 10a, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold have not yet been released.

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Use This Hack to Get the Pixel’s AI Dictation on Any Android Phone

Google's AI-powered dictation feature, Rambler, refines spoken words into polished text, eliminating filler words and enhancing grammar. Currently, Rambler is exclusive to the Pixel 11 series. Developer Akshay Kadam has created a modified version of Gboard called PixelBoard, which includes Rambler's features and can run alongside the standard Gboard without requiring device rooting. PixelBoard can be installed via three methods: downloading directly from GitHub, sideloading via USB, or patching the stock Gboard APK. Users can enable PixelBoard in their device settings and access Rambler by selecting it from the dictation options.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Someone ported Pixel 11’s Rambler voice-to-text to other Android phones

Google's Pixel 11 and the Googlebook feature the Rambler voice-to-text functionality, which uses AI to improve traditional voice-to-text capabilities by refining spoken words into coherent text with proper grammar and formatting. Rambler is currently exclusive to the Pixel 11 series, but a developer has ported it to other Android devices through an app called "PixelBoard," a modified version of Gboard. Users can sideload this app from GitHub, but they should proceed at their own risk. Testing on a Galaxy Z Fold 8 showed that the app functions effectively, similar to Rambler on the Pixel 11. It is unclear if Google will extend Rambler support to other devices, and alternatives like Microsoft’s SwiftKey are available on the Play Store.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Android’s New Sideloading Rules Add a 24-Hour Wait

As of September 30, Google has introduced a 24-hour waiting period for Android users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand before they can install applications from unregistered developers. This initiative aims to enhance security against potential scams. Users can still access apps from recognized stores, including Google Play and various manufacturer-specific app markets. The rollout is currently limited to the specified countries and has not been implemented globally. The new verification process may affect users who prefer alternative app stores and those who do not use a Google account.

Winsage

October 11, 2026

Windows 11 version 26H2 is rolling out now — here’s how to get the update now and get the most out of the 2026 update

Microsoft is gradually introducing the Windows 11 2026 Update (version 26H2) to compatible devices. The update is optional and requires manual installation for users who want it before the general rollout. Users on versions 25H2 or 24H2 can update without a complete reinstallation, while those on version 23H2 or earlier must perform a full in-place upgrade. To install the update from Settings, users should open Settings, click on Windows Update, enable the toggle for getting the latest updates, check for updates, download and install, and restart the device. If the upgrade option is not visible, it may indicate incompatibility. The Media Creation Tool can be used for creating bootable USB media for users upgrading from older versions like 23H2 or Windows 10, but it requires a complete reinstallation. Steps include downloading the tool, selecting the USB drive option, and following prompts to create the installation media. Users can also download the Windows 11 version 26H2 ISO file from the Microsoft support website, mount the ISO, and run setup.exe to complete the installation.

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

How to easily sideload Android apps on your new Googlebook

Chrome Unboxed offers support for independent tech journalism and provides an ad-free experience with membership benefits. Android gamers face challenges with popular titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, which are unavailable for installation on Googlebook via the Play Store. Users can sideload apps on Googlebook OS, built on Android 17, without the limitations of the Play Store. The sideloading process involves downloading an APK from a trusted source, allowing unknown apps in Chrome, and installing the app. Google Play Protect monitors installed applications for malicious activity, but users should still exercise caution when sideloading.

Winsage

October 10, 2026

We tested gaming performance in 17-year-old Windows 7 against Windows 11 on a modern gaming PC — older operating system delivers advantages in some scenarios

Windows 7 was released in 2009 and has received positive reviews for nearly two decades. A performance evaluation was conducted by installing Windows 7 on a modern PC and testing it against Windows 11 across ten games, including eight DirectX 11 titles and two DirectX 9 titles. In the game Metro 2033 Redux, Windows 11 achieved a higher average frame rate, but Windows 7 had better handling of CPU-related performance drops, resulting in stronger 1% lows. In Batman: Arkham Origins, Windows 7 outperformed Windows 11 in both average frame rate and 1% lows at 1080p and 4K. For Batman: Arkham Knight, Windows 7 showed higher performance when CPU-limited at 1080p, while Windows 11 led in GPU-limited scenarios at 1440p and 4K. In Batman: Arkham City, Windows 11 had the advantage across all resolutions as the game was GPU-bound. In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Windows 7 outperformed Windows 11 in 1% lows at 1080p, but Windows 11 took the lead at higher resolutions. Control showed Windows 11 outperforming Windows 7 across all resolutions due to GPU optimizations. Hitman: Absolution also favored Windows 11 in GPU-limited scenarios. For DirectX 9 games, Windows 7 demonstrated significant advantages in average frame rate and 1% lows in Batman: Arkham Asylum, especially at lower resolutions, while performance in Borderlands 2 was nearly identical across both operating systems at 4K. Overall, Windows 7 excels in CPU-limited scenarios, while Windows 11 performs better in GPU-bound situations, aided by advanced graphics drivers. Microsoft’s ongoing efforts aim to improve Windows 11's performance and reliability.

Tech Optimizer

October 10, 2026

Why Antivirus Flags Game Tools and How to Verify Downloads Safely

In gaming, tools such as utilities, beta applications, and modding tools are often distributed as APK, IPA, or desktop files, and it is essential to investigate their origin, version, and any security warnings before installation. Antivirus software flags potential threats based on known malicious signatures, behavior patterns, and reputation data. Tools that modify game clients may receive heightened scrutiny, and classifications like “HackTool” or “Riskware” do not definitively indicate a file's functionality. Identical game utilities can exist on various platforms, and a familiar website does not guarantee authenticity. It is crucial to verify the publisher, update date, version, and installation method of a file. The SHA-256 hash verifies file integrity but does not ensure safety from malware. Calculating a file hash can be done using specific commands in Windows, macOS, or Linux. Multi-engine scanning platforms like VirusTotal provide insights, but a lack of detections does not guarantee safety. Even if a file matches its reference hash and raises no alerts, it may still violate online game terms. A pre-installation checklist includes confirming the publisher, checking file types, comparing SHA-256 hashes, reviewing security findings, keeping antivirus protection enabled, and consulting platform rules. A cautious approach integrates source verification, file integrity checks, security assessments, and compliance with platform regulations.