labels Archives

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Android 17 adds ‘location button’ for apps and more private ‘Approximate’ algorithm

Android 17 has introduced updates to enhance location privacy, including a new "location button" in Beta 3 that allows users to access location services for one-time use without granting permanent or background access. This feature provides a streamlined user experience, enabling users to share their location only when necessary and eliminating repeated prompts for location-dependent features. Developers can customize the button's appearance while the location icon remains mandatory and non-customizable. Additionally, Android 17 Beta 3 includes an improved runtime permission dialog with distinct options for "Precise" and "Approximate" location access. A persistent blue dot in the status bar indicates when a non-system app accesses a user's location, and users can view notifications about which apps have recently accessed their location. The algorithm for approximate locations has also been improved to consider local population density, enhancing privacy in low-population areas.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Google rolling out Android 17 Beta 3 for Pixel

Google has released Android 17 Beta 3, introducing Platform Stability, which finalizes internal and external APIs and app-facing behaviors for developers. Key enhancements include full activation of bubbles for multitasking, a redesigned screen recording toolbar, customizable photo picker grid view, support for 14-bit per pixel RAW images, vendor-defined camera extensions, Bluetooth LE audio hearing aids, reduced wakelocks for idle alarms, a system-provided location button, post-quantum cryptography hybrid signing, widget support on external displays, desktop interactive picture-in-picture, VPN app exclusion settings, and dynamic system font fallback. Feedback can be submitted through the Android Beta Feedback tool, and system images are available for various Pixel devices.

Winsage

March 25, 2026

Tested: Windows 11 now has a second taskbar, and it works surprisingly well

In 2026, Microsoft released PowerToys version 0.98, which includes the new Command Palette Dock feature. This Dock can be pinned to any edge of the screen and displays information such as CPU and memory usage while providing quick access to frequently used commands. Users can enable the Dock through the PowerToys interface without needing to restart their system. The Dock offers customization options, including repositioning, themes, and backgrounds. It integrates live system statistics, a clock, and allows users to pin commands and applications for a tailored workflow. The Command Palette Dock is designed to complement, not replace, the Windows 11 taskbar. Other enhancements in this update include a new Keyboard Manager, performance upgrades for the Command Palette, and improvements to CursorWrap and ZoomIt.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Apple Maps may soon copy one of Google Maps’ more annoying features

Apple will introduce advertisements in Apple Maps search results in the US and Canada, featuring promoted listings at the top of results with a blue highlight. The ads will be privacy-focused, with no user data linked to accounts or shared externally. The Apple Business program will launch on April 14, 2026, allowing businesses to create and manage their listings on Apple Maps and run advertisements through the platform.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Google Might Reverse the Controversial Photos App Editor Redesign

Google is planning to revise its Photos app redesign due to user feedback on usability issues. The update will reintegrate elements of the previous editor interface, including direct access to essential tools like Crop, Adjust, and Filters, which will return to a scrollable carousel at the bottom of the editor. The dedicated “Crop” menu will also be reintroduced as a unified category. Visual enhancements will include Action labels in pill-shaped borders for better visibility and a more compact “Ask” button replacing the larger “Help Me Edit” prompt. Additionally, Google is testing a new “Explore” tab that will feature a vertically scrolling, TikTok-style feed of personal videos generated by AI. This update is being rolled out to a select group of users, with a broader release expected soon.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Google might be undoing some controversial changes to the Photos app

Google is updating its Photos app based on user feedback regarding the photo editor. The revamped editor will feature a more familiar layout for essential tools like Crop, Adjust, and Filters, which will now be located at the bottom of the interface for easier access. The Crop menu, removed in the last redesign, is being reinstated. Quick-access buttons for features like Enhance and AI Enhance will remain, and a new streamlined Ask button will be introduced. Labels for actions will also be updated to a pill-shaped design for better usability. Additionally, Google is testing a new "Explore" feature on the Photos welcome screen, which offers a TikTok-like vertically scrolling feed of curated videos based on AI analysis of content, location, and featured individuals. Both the updated photo editor and the Explore feature are being rolled out to a select group of users.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Google Clock’s newest update borrows some color from the Pixel Weather app

Google has released version 8.6 of its default Clock app on Android, introducing several updates aimed at improving user experience. Key changes include vibrant weather icons in the World Clock feature, a repositioned clock display on the alarm screen for better clarity, a refined alarm dismissal mechanism allowing users to swipe away alarms, and a repositioned snooze/dismiss slider for easier access. Users are encouraged to check the Google Play Store for the latest version to benefit from these enhancements.

TrendTechie

March 12, 2026

Anna’s Archive выложили на торренты 6,4 ТБ музыки из Spotify — это лишь малая часть всего архива

The Anna’s Archive project has released approximately 2.8 million audio files, totaling around 6.4 terabytes, from Spotify's database. The files are distributed through 47 torrent distributions and include music, individual releases, and metadata. The initial release features the least popular tracks, labeled as "pop_0," and contains embedded metadata such as track, album, artist, label, and publisher information. Anna’s Archive aims to preserve music and plans to publish more files in phases. Spotify has responded by disabling accounts involved in illegal scraping and has filed a lawsuit against the operators of Anna’s Archive, claiming damages in the trillions for copyright infringement. Some domains associated with Anna’s Archive have been disabled through court orders, prompting the service to consider relocating its infrastructure. Maintaining the full estimated catalog of 300 terabytes may require two to three times more storage space, potentially needing around 50 hard drives of 18 to 20 terabytes each.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Stolen Microsoft Office and Windows keys land a Florida woman with 22 months in prison and a $50,000 fine — after she ironically stored them in Excel spreadsheets

Heidi Richards, a 52-year-old entrepreneur, has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for trafficking thousands of stolen Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels through her e-commerce venture, "Trinity Software Distribution." She has also been ordered to pay a 0,000 fine for her company. The COA labels, which verify the authenticity of Microsoft software, are not intended for standalone sale. Between July 2018 and January 2023, Richards and her accomplices acquired tens of thousands of legitimate Windows 10 and Microsoft Office COA labels, generating ,148,181.50 in revenue by selling extracted product key codes.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Stolen Office and Windows keys land Florida woman with 22 months in prison

Heidi Richards has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for trafficking stolen Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels through her e-commerce business, "Trinity Software Distribution." She has also been ordered to pay a ,000 fine. The COA labels are issued by Microsoft to verify software authenticity and are not meant to be sold separately. Between July 2018 and January 2023, Richards and her associates procured tens of thousands of genuine Windows 10 and Microsoft Office COA labels, generating ,148,181.50 in revenue by selling extracted product key codes globally.