interoperability Archives

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

WhatsApp Launches EU Interoperability for Encrypted Cross-App Messaging

Meta Platforms Inc.’s WhatsApp is rolling out interoperability features across Europe, allowing users to send messages to individuals on third-party applications starting in November 2024. This initiative is in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires dominant tech companies to enhance competition by opening their platforms. Users will be able to communicate while maintaining end-to-end encryption, a process that has taken over three years to develop. Users must opt-in to receive messages from third-party applications, and the initial rollout is limited to specific partners. The interoperability allows for sharing text, images, voice messages, videos, and files. Meta's engineering team adapted WhatsApp's infrastructure to accommodate external services while upholding encryption standards. Concerns have been raised about potential security vulnerabilities and the implications of proposed regulations like "Chat Control" that could conflict with encryption efforts. This development could influence competitive dynamics in the messaging sector, providing smaller applications like BirdyChat and Haiket visibility by integrating with WhatsApp’s large user base. Compliance with the DMA helps Meta avoid fines while risking dilution of WhatsApp's market dominance. Privacy implications are a significant concern, with discussions around how interoperability could facilitate surveillance or compromise user security. Meta's journey involved regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with DMA objectives, and the success of this initiative could set a precedent for global standards in digital communication.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

Five Android apps to challenge Google Fit

Google Fit is a foundational tool for Android users, but many are looking for more comprehensive fitness insights and community engagement. Alternative applications provide enhanced features and deeper analytics tailored to various training styles. Strava is a social platform for endurance athletes with over 100 million users, offering features like segment leaderboards and route planning, making it ideal for GPS-centric sports. Samsung Health integrates sleep coaching, stress metrics, and body composition estimates, providing a holistic dashboard for daily monitoring, especially effective with Galaxy devices. MyFitnessPal focuses on nutrition and weight goals, featuring a database of over 14 million foods for easy meal logging and customizable macro goals. Hevy is designed for strength training, offering a streamlined logging system for workouts and progress tracking, with a lightweight social component. AllTrails caters to hikers and trail runners, providing access to over 400,000 curated routes and safety features, including offline maps and GPS tracking. Users can choose an app based on their primary fitness goals, with options for GPS and community engagement, overall wellness, nutrition tracking, strength training, or outdoor adventures, all benefiting from data interoperability through Health Connect by Android.

Tech Optimizer

November 17, 2025

Introducing pg_lake: Integrate Your Data Lakehouse with Postgres

pg_lake is a tool developed by the team at Crunchy Data, now part of Snowflake, that provides a native Postgres experience for working with open data lakehouse formats like Iceberg and Parquet. The initiative began with the launch of Crunchy Bridge for Analytics over 18 months ago, aimed at addressing the fragmentation of data between Postgres databases and object storage. The decision to open source pg_lake is intended to establish a standard for the Postgres ecosystem, empower developers to create modern applications, and demonstrate Snowflake's commitment to enhancing Postgres capabilities. pg_lake is now available for exploration and use by developers.

Winsage

November 13, 2025

Cameyo by Google Brings Virtual App Delivery to Chrome, ChromeOS Enterprise

Google has launched its Cameyo Virtual App Delivery service for enterprise customers using Chrome, ChromeOS, and ChromeOS Flex. This service focuses on delivering only the necessary applications rather than a full desktop environment, providing secure access across devices. Cameyo allows enterprises to stream legacy Windows and Linux applications as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) within the Chrome web browser, integrating seamlessly with native ChromeOS and Android applications. Google acquired Cameyo in 2023 to enhance its virtualization offerings. The service also enables the integration of Gemini AI capabilities into legacy applications, improving productivity by summarizing documents and recalling user context.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

From $39.99 to $0: Zelda-inspired open-world RPG goes free-to-play on PC for a limited time — and you can keep it forever starting this date

To download Immortals Fenyx Rising for free on PC, visit the official Ubisoft website to download the Ubisoft Connect client, install and open it, sign in or create a new account, search for the game, click on Claim when the promotional offer is activated, and then download it from your Game Library. Ubisoft Connect has been a hub for gaming services since 2019, introducing cross-progression features and cross-play capabilities. In 2024, Ubisoft launched cross-platform achievements starting with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, allowing synchronization of progress across Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. The PC client has been revamped with a new user interface, and Ubisoft is seeking player feedback through its official Discord channel.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Breaking Barriers: WhatsApp’s Push into Cross-App Messaging Revolution

Meta Platforms Inc. is enhancing WhatsApp to allow communication with users on other messaging platforms, responding to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandating interoperability. The initiative, which began in early 2024, is currently in beta testing in Europe and utilizes the Signal Protocol for secure communications. Third-party apps can submit integration requests to Meta, which will conduct security reviews before allowing message exchanges. The beta version currently supports only basic text messaging with BirdyChat. Users can manage their third-party inboxes and block unwanted services, with a focus on security measures like client-side scanning. Meta plans to expand interoperability features, including group chats by 2025 and calling features by 2027. While the current rollout is limited to Europe, it may influence global standards for messaging interoperability.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

WhatsApp Will Soon Let You Send Messages to Other Apps

WhatsApp is developing a feature to allow users to send messages to users of other messaging applications, responding to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Currently, this capability is limited to messaging BirdyChat and is only available to users within the European Union. The feature is still in beta testing, and users outside the EU will not have access to it yet. App-specific functionalities may be limited when messaging across platforms.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

The Best Crypto Apps for Android: A 2025 Guide to Trading and Managing Your Portfolio

There are over 3 billion Android devices in use, making it a significant platform for cryptocurrency applications. The Google Play Store features numerous trading, wallet, and portfolio apps due to evolving regulations and a focus on user experience. Key elements for navigating crypto apps include usability, security, compliance, and responsibility. Popular trading apps include Binance, Coinbase, and Bybit, which offer features like biometric login and real-time notifications. Security measures such as two-factor authentication and Know Your Customer verification are essential for safe trading. Users can choose between hot wallets and cold wallets, with options like Trust Wallet, MetaMask, and SafePal available. Staking apps like Binance Earn and Crypto.com encourage user engagement by offering rewards for locking tokens. Ethereum underpins many Android crypto apps, facilitating interactions with ERC-20 tokens and enhancing transaction efficiency. A checklist for safe app downloads includes security checks, reputation checks, functionality checks, and transfer checks. As the crypto landscape evolves, apps are expected to integrate more with fiat finance and Web3 technologies, emphasizing the importance of verification and security for users.

Tech Optimizer

October 29, 2025

Oracle Database 23ai Adds Native Boolean Support, Aligning with PostgreSQL

Oracle has introduced a native Boolean data type in its Oracle Database 23ai, aligning more closely with features in competitors like PostgreSQL. Previously, Oracle developers used numeric values or varchar types to represent true/false logic. The new Boolean type aims to streamline application code and improve compatibility with modern programming languages. This feature comes decades after PostgreSQL integrated native Boolean support, which allows values of true, false, or null and enhances query reliability. PostgreSQL's early adoption of this feature provides it with a competitive edge in scenarios requiring precise conditional logic. Oracle's new Boolean type is intended to facilitate smoother migrations and improve interoperability, addressing challenges faced by users transitioning from PostgreSQL. However, Oracle's implementation is still developing, and users may encounter version-specific behaviors. Tools like HexaRocket from HexaCluster can assist in mapping Boolean types for seamless migrations. Despite the advancements, Oracle users may face backward compatibility issues with legacy applications. The introduction of the native Boolean type reflects broader trends in database innovation and the competitive dynamics between Oracle and open-source alternatives like PostgreSQL.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

Nordic Semiconductor unveils first open-source Android app for Bluetooth Channel Sounding

Nordic Semiconductor has integrated Bluetooth Channel Sounding into an open-source Android application, specifically the nRF Toolbox app, which is now available on the Google Play Store. This app is compatible with the nRF54L Series system-on-chips (SoCs) and allows developers to experiment with Bluetooth Channel Sounding on devices like Google's Pixel 10 smartphone. In a demonstration, Nordic achieved distance accuracy of approximately ±1 metre over ranges up to 20 metres using an nRF54L15 Development Kit. This new feature is expected to enable applications in asset tracking, medical equipment management, and location-based customer experiences. Nordic Semiconductor has played a key role in developing the Channel Sounding standard within the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).