minimalist design Archives

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Here’s why I ditched the ‘everything app’ and switched back to Google Keep

Megan Ellis transitioned from Notion back to Google Keep, seeking simplicity and focus in her digital life. She initially chose Google Keep for its straightforwardness but later moved to Notion for advanced features, which led to overwhelm due to its complexity and extensive customization options. This complexity resulted in unnecessary tracking and clutter, prompting her return to Google Keep, where she appreciates its minimalist design and ease of use. While she values the simplicity of Google Keep, she misses the personalization and advanced features that Notion provided. Ellis advises that the decision to switch productivity tools depends on individual needs and preferences, emphasizing that some may prefer the all-in-one capabilities of Notion while others benefit from a minimalist approach.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

My 18 favorite Android apps of 2025

Mishaal Rahman shared her favorite Android apps from 2025, which include: - Octopi Launcher: A launcher designed for foldable smartphones that allows users to create custom layouts for different screen orientations. - Nobook: A lightweight alternative to the official Facebook app, offering a simplified social media experience without ads. - Banana Browser: A browser that excels in video handling, featuring a built-in player and ad-blocking capabilities. - NotebookLM: A digital manual and note-taking app that helps users organize information effectively. - OSS Document Scanner: An open-source PDF scanner with automatic capture and OCR support. - whoBIRD: An app for identifying birds by their calls using real-time audio sampling. - Tomato: A minimalist Pomodoro timer that integrates focus and rest periods into productivity routines. - Stellarium: An app for exploring celestial bodies with detailed information about stars and planets. - Google Journal: A straightforward journaling app that stores entries locally and supports multimedia integration. - Next Player: A simple video player that supports various formats and offers organizational features. - Weather Master: A user-friendly weather app with customizable data sources and concise summaries. - Perplexity Comet: An AI browser that enhances news and information access. - LocalSend: A file-sharing app for quick and secure transfers across devices on the same network. - Super Display: An app that turns any Android device into a secondary monitor. - URLCheck: A link manager that scans for security threats and allows users to choose apps for opening links. - Samsung Food: A recipe management app that helps users curate digital cookbooks. - DeepSeek: An AI chatbot offering versatile capabilities and offline access. - Androidify: An app for creating personalized avatars and customizing devices with unique designs.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

Öoo is a 4 hour platformer about solving problems with bombs, and it’s the cleverest puzzle game I played in 2025

Öoo is a visual puzzle metroidvania game where players control a character named Ö, who uses bombs for navigation and puzzle-solving. The game starts with one bomb, allowing for basic movement through strategic detonation, and later introduces a second bomb to enhance complexity. Discussions on Steam indicate that a third bomb was initially considered but ultimately discarded to maintain balance in gameplay. The design emphasizes minimalist mechanics, requiring players to think critically to overcome challenges.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

December Sees The Arrival Of Five New Apps For Android

- Comet is a new mobile browser built on the Chromium engine that offers features like instant answer cards, ad and tracker blocking, and a global dark mode, enhancing news consumption with concise summaries that can expand into detailed articles. - Sift is a recipe management app that allows users to choose their preferred AI provider for parsing and suggestions, excels in importing recipes from various websites, and features a minimalist design without social media distractions. - Escape Launcher is a minimalist home screen app that includes a clock, favorite contacts, and a searchable app drawer, promoting Digital Wellbeing by helping users regain focus and control over their app usage. - Red Dead Redemption is available on Netflix Games for mobile, providing an ad-free experience without in-app purchases, allowing players to explore the open world as John Marston, including the Undead Nightmare expansion pack.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Google Messages update adds cleaner link and YouTube video previews

Google is introducing a redesigned link preview feature in its Messages app, focusing on larger website titles and thumbnails while removing full link URLs and descriptions. The new previews will display a general site URL beneath the title and prioritize a minimalist design, resembling Google Discover cards. Users can access the full URL by copying it or adjusting settings to disable link previews. The update is rolling out with version 2025112100RC01 on the beta channel, with wider availability expected soon.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

Windows 11’s Notepad gets support for tables and bolstered AI powers – and not everyone’s happy

Microsoft is enhancing the Notepad application in Windows 11 with new features, including the ability to create tables and AI-driven text creation and rewriting capabilities. The latest preview is available to testers in the Canary and Dev Channels. The AI features allow real-time text generation but require devices with Copilot+ technology and a Microsoft account for access. There are concerns about Notepad becoming bloated and losing its minimalist design as it integrates more functionalities, especially following the planned discontinuation of WordPad in 2024, which may position Notepad as a more robust alternative for document creation.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

6 Free Android TV Apps You Need To Install Before Google Removes Sideloading

Developers are now required to register their applications before users can sideload them on Android devices, a change aimed at reducing malware risks associated with unverified apps. This policy is particularly significant for Android TV users who often rely on sideloading for niche utilities and unofficial streaming tools. The risk of malware is reportedly 50 times higher when apps are installed from outside the Play Store. Google has promised to create a workflow for experienced users to sideload unverified apps despite the new restrictions. Sideloading allows users to install apps not available on the Play Store, but it comes with increased risks of data-stealing malware. Users can sideload apps by transferring APK files to their devices and adjusting settings to allow installations from unknown sources. SmartTube TV is an unofficial YouTube client that offers an ad-free experience and integrates features like SponsorBlock, but it violates YouTube's Terms of Service. Aptoide TV is a community-driven app marketplace that provides access to apps not available on the Play Store, though caution is advised due to potential malware risks. Leanback Launcher is an open-source launcher that enhances performance and customization options for Android TV. RetroArch allows users to emulate classic gaming consoles and requires legal copies of games. Syncler organizes and streams shows and movies from user-selected providers without hosting content itself. AdAway is an open-source ad blocker that filters ads at the device level using host files. The selection of these apps focuses on enhancing the Android TV experience through performance improvements, user-friendly interfaces, and a range of categories including streaming, gaming, customization, and privacy.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

2025 Windows 11 PC holiday buying guide: Best devices and deals

The holiday season is an ideal time to gift a Windows 11 PC, which can enhance gaming setups, assist with creative projects, and simplify daily tasks. Windows 11 PCs now feature Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that streamlines tasks through voice commands. A survey shows that over half of Gen Z and Millennials use generative AI weekly. Various Windows 11 PCs are available for different users, including: - Lenovo Legion 5 15": A gaming laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 260 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 graphics, starting at ,249.99 MSRP, currently ,169.99 at Walmart. - ROG Xbox Ally: A portable gaming device starting at 9.99, available at Microsoft.com and Best Buy. - Dell 16 Plus Laptop: Designed for students, starting at ,149.99 MSRP. - Samsung Galaxy Book5 360: A versatile 2-in-1 PC starting at ,349.99 MSRP. - Acer Aspire 14 AI: A portable laptop starting at 9.99 MSRP at Costco.com. - ASUS Zenbook 14: Lightweight with multi-day battery life, starting at 9 MSRP at Walmart. - Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC: Starting at ,199.99 at Best Buy. - Surface Pro 12-inch: A portable 2-in-1 device starting at 9.99 MSRP at Best Buy. - HP OmniBook 5 14-inch: Offers long battery life, starting at 9.99 MSRP. - Surface Laptop 13-inch: Lightweight with AI features, starting at 9.99 MSRP at Best Buy. Retailers like Microsoft, Best Buy, and Costco offer significant holiday deals on these PCs, with discounts and promotions available. Microsoft.com features exclusive deals, price protection, and free shipping until January 31, 2026. Xbox deals include discounts on games and accessories, with Xbox Game Pass Premium subscriptions and Microsoft gift cards available as gift options.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Readers Share Favorite Android Apps of 2025

Users have been asked to identify the best Android app that has integrated into their daily lives in 2025, amidst a competitive landscape with hundreds of billions of global downloads. Key characteristics of standout apps include reliability, simplicity, and the ability to fill existing gaps without unnecessary complexities. Privacy is a major concern, with users encouraged to scrutinize app permissions and seek transparency in business models. Cross-device compatibility is increasingly important, especially with the rise of tablets and foldable devices. Notable apps mentioned include: - Octopi Launcher: Favored for its widget-rich interface and tag-based search. - LocalSend: Allows direct file transfers across local networks without accounts or cloud services. - Banana Browser: Known for its minimalist design and built-in media controls. - Niagara Launcher: Celebrated for its minimalist, one-handed design. - Organic Maps: Provides efficient offline navigation using OpenStreetMap. - RethinkDNS: Blocks trackers and enforces on-device firewall rules. - Obsidian: A note-taking app known for its vault-style organization and cross-device syncing. When choosing an app, users should assess transparency in the business model, data export options, and app permissions. Performance in real-world scenarios, such as offline functionality and multitasking, is also important. Users are encouraged to share their top app recommendations to help others enhance their Android experience.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Gboard update gives Android users more control over their keyboard setup

Gboard version 16.0 introduces a feature that allows users to hide the period and comma keys on their keyboards. This update includes new toggles located in Settings under Preferences, giving each punctuation key its own switch. By default, both keys are enabled, but users can disable one or both to create a cleaner bottom row with only the spacebar, Enter, and ?123 keys. This change widens the spacebar and reduces visual clutter. The feature was discovered during APK teardowns and has received mixed feedback from users, with some appreciating the minimalist design while others prefer to keep the punctuation keys visible.