larger displays Archives

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Android 17 Fixes Long-Standing App Orientation Frustrations

Android 17 Beta 1 has launched for Pixel phones, introducing significant changes in app orientation and resizability restrictions. It eliminates the option for developers to opt-out of these restrictions on larger screens (width greater than 600 dp), disregarding five specific attributes and APIs for applications on large screens or games. This aims to improve user experience on Android tablets, foldable phones, and Chromebooks, addressing issues with apps that lock into a single orientation. Developers must adapt their applications to comply with the new standards set by SDK 37, ensuring compatibility with the phase-out of certain manifest attributes and runtime APIs from Android 16. Users will retain control over their app experience through aspect ratio settings. The upcoming Aluminum OS will require Android applications to operate seamlessly in landscape mode, indicating a push for a more unified Android experience.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Android 17 to expand mandatory criteria enabling app resizing for larger screens like tablets

Google has released the initial beta build of Android 17, now available for developers using the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold emulators in Android Studio. The new version mandates the optimization of more third-party applications for larger screen formats, benefiting devices like tablets and foldables. This aims to enhance user experience by allowing apps to utilize modern hardware capabilities effectively. Developers are encouraged to adapt their applications for diverse screen sizes.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Android 17 Beta 1: Major updates for adaptive apps, performance and media are imminent

Android 17 Beta 1 introduces several enhancements for Pixel smartphone users, starting from the Pixel 6. Key features include mandatory adaptive app width for foldables and tablets, support for the new h.266 video codec, optimized camera APIs for smoother third-party applications, and synchronized volume control. The update requires applications to implement dynamic width adjustments to utilize screen space effectively on larger devices, addressing issues with black bars. The camera APIs have been revamped to allow third-party apps to switch modes without reinitializing the camera session, improving performance. The beta version is available for all Pixel smartphones through the Pixel 10 series, with the final release expected in the second quarter of 2026. Additionally, the setup process for wearables and health devices has been streamlined, and various performance optimizations have been made to enhance stability and efficiency.

Winsage

December 16, 2025

Microsoft tests Windows 11 26H1 update with new features

Microsoft has released a new test version of Windows 11 for the Canary channel of the Windows Insider Program, part of the 26H1 development branch. This update includes functional and visual enhancements, particularly focusing on artificial intelligence features, such as an AI agent in the Settings app for easier navigation and assistance. The Click to Do context menus have been expanded to offer context-sensitive actions using local AI capabilities. A new full-screen gaming experience is being piloted to enhance usability on larger displays. Interface modifications include further integration of dark mode in File Explorer, new quick actions, and improvements to file sharing. Quick Machine Recovery has been enhanced, and a new page for managing paired mobile devices has been introduced. Microsoft emphasizes that this Canary version is experimental and not for production use, with features rolled out in phases and a clean installation required to revert to a stable version. The final components for public release remain uncertain.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

New Steam Deck rivals are getting ridiculous, with 9-inch screens and 5x the performance, and I need one right now

The Ayaneo Next 2 is a handheld gaming device featuring AMD's Strix Halo processor, which has a GPU over five times more powerful than the Steam Deck. It includes a 9-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,504 pixels and a 165Hz refresh rate. The device has an ergonomic design, larger than many current handhelds, with features like touchpads, ABXY buttons, a d-pad, analog sticks, dual-mode triggers, and an extra-large battery. The Strix Halo chip has shown impressive 1080p gaming performance in previous reviews, while concerns exist regarding battery life, heat management, and noise levels. The Ayaneo Next 2 is expected to be priced similarly to other handhelds with the Strix Halo chip, which may exceed ,000. An upcoming video stream will showcase its features in more detail.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Android set to lead Google’s charge into the PC market

Google is considering a new initiative called Aluminium, which aims to adapt Android's features for laptops and desktops, focusing on ARM architecture and improving multitasking, keyboard-and-mouse input, and file management. Android has over 3 billion active devices globally, while ChromeOS has a low market share in the PC sector. Android has evolved with updates like Android 12L, enhancing usability on large screens, and real-world implementations like Samsung DeX show its potential as a desktop OS. However, challenges remain regarding app usability on larger displays, and improvements in performance, security, and enterprise readiness are needed. Google plans to develop a refined Desktop Mode, implement UX guidelines, establish a native Linux workspace, enhance file access, integrate audio features, and collaborate with OEMs for compatible hardware.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

These are the 10 best Android apps of the year, according to Google

Google has announced the best Android apps of 2025, recognizing standout applications in various categories: - Best Overall App: Focus Friend by Hank Green, designed to help users combat distractions. - Best for Fun: Edits, an Instagram app with over 10 million downloads and an average rating of 4.5 stars, simplifies video preparation for social media. - Best Everyday Essential: Wiser - 15 Minute Audio Books, which offers a selection of audiobooks and 15-minute summaries. - Best for Families: ABCmouse 2: Kids Learning Game, providing educational resources for children aged 2 to 8. - Best for Watches: SleepisolBio, an app that combines AI analysis with audio therapy to improve sleep quality. - Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes, a note-taking and document organization app optimized for larger devices. - Best for Cars: SoundCloud, which allows users to discover new music with an interface suitable for Android Auto. - Best for XR Headsets: Calm, utilizing virtual and augmented reality for relaxation and focus.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

While we eagerly await the second coming of Steam Machines, it’s worth remembering what a gloriously awful mess Valve got itself in over a decade ago

Valve is reintroducing Steam Machines, a concept that initially faltered nearly a decade ago. The original Steam Machines were announced in 2013 alongside SteamOS and the Steam controller but faced challenges due to Valve's partnership model with various vendors, leading to a disjointed consumer experience. The gaming landscape shifted with the success of Windows 10, which solidified its dominance over Linux. Despite the original Steam Machines' failure, Valve launched the Steam Deck in February 2022, taking direct control of hardware and software, which proved successful. The new generation of Steam Machines will feature a custom AMD APU with a Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU, aiming to provide a better big-screen gaming experience, although it may have limitations in upgradeability. The reception of this new iteration remains uncertain as it approaches its market debut in 2026.

Winsage

November 10, 2025

How to use the new Windows 11 Start menu, now rolling out

The Windows Start menu will undergo its first significant redesign since 2021, with the rollout scheduled for November 11, coinciding with the Patch Tuesday update. The update introduces a scrollable Start menu and places the "All apps" list on the main screen. The redesigned menu offers two user interface options: a categories view, which organizes applications by type and prioritizes frequently used apps, and a grid view that maintains a classic A to Z order. The menu is adaptive, adjusting to fit screen sizes, with larger displays showing more columns of pinned apps and recommendations. Users can disable the Recommended feed through Settings. While the new Start menu improves usability, it may occupy excessive screen space on lower resolution PCs, and there is a desire for the ability to create custom categories. The rollout will begin with the November 2025 Patch Tuesday and is part of Build 26200.7019 and 26100.7019 or newer, but it will not be activated by default.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Qobuz launches Android TV app (but there’s a catch)

Qobuz has launched an Android TV app that allows users to access its catalogue of 100 million tracks on their televisions. The app is available on the Google Play Store and is compatible with all devices that support Google TV, including brands like Sony, TCL, and Hisense. Users can easily download the app, log in, and start streaming, with features like playlists, albums, and personalized recommendations designed for larger displays. However, the app has a limitation where all audio is resampled to 48kHz due to the Android TV operating system, regardless of the original quality. This means that users connecting their TVs to soundbars or AV receivers will also experience this limitation. While casual listeners may find the app satisfactory, dedicated Qobuz subscribers seeking high-resolution audio may prefer alternatives like the NVIDIA Shield or dedicated streaming DACs to avoid the resampling issue. The 48kHz cap is a restriction of the Android platform, not Qobuz itself.