mobile app Archives

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2026

Epic Games Store Mobile Free Game This Week: Broken Sword

The original Broken Sword game was launched in 1996 and the Reforged version in 2024 brought enhanced visuals and audio while keeping the core story intact. Players take on the role of American tourist George Stobbart in a murder mystery tied to the Knights Templar. Epic rotates its mobile free games every Thursday, with iOS availability restricted to the EU and Android users having a broader library selection. Endling: Extinction is Forever is available on the Android library. Epic's mobile push is gaining momentum with a growing selection of games.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Spotify’s new tablet interface is more than just a bigger version of your phone

Spotify has launched a redesigned app layout for Android tablets and iPads, moving away from simply scaling the mobile app. The new design optimizes the user experience by utilizing larger screens and includes features like adaptive orientation for portrait and landscape modes, a collapsible sidebar for parallel browsing, and a prominently placed "Switch to Video" toggle for easy access to video content. The updated interface is now live for users on these devices.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Your next Android app might be AI-made, and Google wants it done right

Aspiring developers can now use advanced AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to generate code for Android applications with minimal coding expertise. However, AI-generated apps may rely on outdated information, leading to inefficiencies and bugs. In response, Google is providing AI coding agents with access to current Android developer resources and introducing tools like a new Android Command Line Interface (CLI) and task-specific skills to improve app development. This initiative aims to ensure that apps follow the latest guidelines and practices. Additionally, Google is streamlining the process for scaling applications across various Android devices, which will benefit end-users by delivering better-optimized AI-generated applications.

Tech Optimizer

April 16, 2026

Trend Micro Security Suite Pro Plus Review 2026: Is It The Best Protection?

The review of Trend Micro Security Suite Pro Plus highlights its features, pricing, and performance. The subscription costs A.95 for a 12-month period and includes multi-device antivirus protection, anti-scam software, a VPN, and identity theft protection. The pricing structure for other plans ranges from A.95 for Maximum Security to A9.95 for Security Suite Ultimate. Key features include AI-scam detection, gamer mode, and Folder Shield for ransomware protection. The installation process requires separate logins for each component, which is seen as outdated. The user interface is functional but minimalistic, and compatibility extends to Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. The VPN is developed in-house, and phishing protection is provided through a browser extension. Lab tests show mixed results, with Trend Micro performing well in real-time web threat protection but lagging in offline malware detection. Overall, it is considered a competitively priced option for online security.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Meta is shutting down its standalone Messenger site and forcing users to use Facebook starting Thursday

Meta will close its standalone Messenger website on April 16, requiring users to log in to their Facebook accounts to access messaging online. This change will primarily affect non-Facebook users, who will no longer be able to use Messenger via a web browser without creating a Facebook account. Businesses that used the standalone site will need to adjust their workflows, as they will now have to log into Facebook to access messages. This decision is part of Meta's strategy to integrate its messaging services more closely with the Facebook ecosystem.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Microsoft’s Outlook Lite Android App Will Stop Working on May 25

Microsoft will retire its Outlook Lite Android app on May 25, 2026, following its removal from the Google Play Store on October 6, 2025. Launched in 2022 for users in emerging markets, Outlook Lite was designed for devices with 1GB of RAM and slower 2G and 3G networks, offering less storage use and better power efficiency. Microsoft is directing users to its primary Outlook mobile app, which will include an Upgrade option for Outlook Lite users. The primary app is ad-supported, with an ad-free experience available through a Microsoft 365 Personal or Home subscription.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Microsoft’s lightweight email app is shutting down soon

Microsoft will retire its Outlook Lite app for Android on May 25, 2026. After this date, the app will still launch, but functionality will be limited, with mailbox access disabled. Users are encouraged to switch to the full Outlook app to maintain access to their emails and calendar items, as user accounts will not be deleted or disabled. An “Upgrade” option in the Lite app will direct users to the Outlook page on Google Play. Alternative email applications like Proton Mail and Gmail are also available for users who do not wish to use the full Outlook app.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Microsoft is shutting down its lightweight Outlook Lite app for Android in 6 weeks

Microsoft will retire Outlook Lite, its lightweight email client for Android, on May 25, 2026. Support for the app will cease, and new downloads were halted on October 6, 2025. Users can continue using the app until retirement, but after that date, mailbox access will be disabled. All emails, calendar items, and attachments will remain accessible through the main Outlook mobile app. Microsoft has added an Upgrade button in Outlook Lite to direct users to download the full Outlook mobile app.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Microsoft will shut down its Outlook Lite Android app on May 25

Outlook Lite will cease operations on May 25, following its phased retirement that began last October when it was removed from the Google Play Store. Launched in 2022, Outlook Lite was aimed at users in emerging markets with entry-level smartphones and limited network connectivity, achieving over 10 million downloads by 2024. After May 25, the app may still launch but will not display emails or calendar items. Users are encouraged to transition to alternative email clients, with Microsoft recommending the Outlook Mobile app as the primary replacement, which syncs existing emails and calendar entries. Organizations using Outlook Lite should update their internal documentation and guide employees toward alternative applications before the deadline. Other Android alternatives include Proton Mail, Spark Mail, and Gmail, although none match Outlook Lite's compact 5MB size.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

WhatsApp Web themes might soon come to save us from boring gray bubbles

Meta is testing 49 chat themes for WhatsApp Web, introducing customization options for the desktop interface. The themes will change not only the background but also the color of message bubbles. These custom themes will be local to each user, meaning that the design choices will not be visible to others. There is no official release date for this feature, and it has not yet appeared in beta versions. Users are advised to check the Settings menu under the Theme section for updates.