One UI Archives

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Android 16 brings desktop windowing to Pixel and Samsung phones

Google has announced that connected display support for Android has reached general availability with the release of Android 16 QPR3. This feature allows compatible Android phones and foldable devices to initiate a new desktop session on an external display while maintaining the phone's independent state. Supported devices include the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series, as well as various Samsung devices like the Galaxy S26, Fold7, Flip7, and Tab S11. The collaboration between Google and Samsung has been crucial in developing this feature. The Android 16 QPR3 release has refined windowing behaviors, taskbar interactions, and input compatibility for mouse and keyboard usage. It introduced two new width window size classes: Large (1200dp to 1600dp) and Extra-large (1600dp and above) to assist developers in creating adaptive layouts. Navigation 3 has also been released, providing a system for managing UI flow based on Scenes. Design principles for desktop contexts have been updated, emphasizing the importance of multitasking, efficient use of screen space, and accommodating various input types. The Android Design Gallery has been launched to showcase design examples across different categories and input types. The announcement has implications for mobile advertising and app measurement, as the distinction between mobile and desktop ad inventory becomes more complex. Developers are advised to ensure their apps can adapt to changes in display configurations to maintain ad performance and measurement accuracy. Key dates include the announcement of connected display general availability on March 3, 2026, and the launch of the Android Design Gallery on March 16, 2026.

BetaBeacon

March 15, 2026

This game-changing Galaxy S26 feature just transformed my Netflix binge sessions

- Audio Eraser in the Gallery app allows users to adjust audio categories in videos - The feature was upgraded in the Galaxy S26 series to support third-party apps - Users can adjust audio categories such as voices, music, noise, and crowd for desired effect - The feature can help in hearing dialogue clearly in TV shows and may be helpful for people who are hard of hearing - Audio Eraser is becoming a favorite feature on Samsung's latest flagships

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

Avast Antivirus in 2026: Still Worth Paying For on Windows and Mac?

Ransomware is evolving, and many users in the United States continue to invest in Avast Antivirus as of 2026. Avast, now part of Gen Digital, has shifted from a traditional free antivirus to a comprehensive consumer security suite, which includes three tiers: Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, and Avast One. The product lineup features a core antivirus engine, ransomware and phishing protection, a firewall, Wi-Fi inspector, built-in VPN, and performance cleanup tools. Avast's core antivirus engine provides real-time file scanning and web/email shields, consistently ranking high in independent lab tests for malware protection. The ransomware shield protects sensitive folders from unauthorized encryption, while the firewall and Wi-Fi inspector are available in paid tiers. The built-in VPN is designed for safer public Wi-Fi use, and performance tools aim to optimize system efficiency. Pricing for Avast products in the US varies, with a free tier supported by upsell prompts for premium features, Premium Security typically offered as an annual subscription, and Avast One marketed as a higher-value bundle. Renewal pricing often increases significantly after the first year, leading to user complaints. Microsoft Defender is now effective enough that many experts believe average users may not need third-party antivirus software, but Avast justifies its subscription by offering stronger web protection, more control over app permissions, and additional non-security features. User feedback highlights strong protection but frequent upsell prompts, performance issues on low-end machines, and concerns over past data collection practices. Avast is seen as valuable for households with mixed tech literacy, remote workers, students on older hardware, and users seeking basic privacy protections.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Spotify is testing a bold new look for its Wear OS app

Spotify has introduced a new feature for Wear OS smartwatches, featuring a minimalist "Now Playing" screen that emphasizes album art and track details without traditional music controls. Instead, it uses gesture-based interactions: a tap to pause or resume playback, a double-tap on the right to advance to the next track, and a double-tap on the left to return to the previous track. This feature is currently in a limited server-side test, meaning not all users have access to it. Users can still access the conventional Now Playing screen with standard controls by swiping up from the cover art display.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Android 17 improves the camera experience and apps for foldables and tablets

Google announced plans for the beta release of Android 17, which has been delayed without official clarification. Key features of Android 17 include a new policy for app orientation and size, requiring developers to support resizing and windowed multitasking. The update will also introduce professional-grade camera APIs, support for Versatile Video Coding (VVC), integration of VoIP calls into the built-in dialer, enhanced Wi-Fi ranging capabilities, and new profiles for Fitness Trackers and Medical Devices. Improvements for Android XR devices will enhance app responsiveness and display state changes. Additional beta versions will be released in the coming months, with developer stability expected by March 2026 and a stable release anticipated around June 2026, initially for Pixel devices. One UI 9, based on Android 17, is expected to debut with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 in June 2026.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Samsung is finally considering custom font support for Samsung Notes

Samsung Notes is a multifunctional application that currently lacks the ability to use custom fonts, limiting users to the device's system font settings. A user advocated for expanded font support on the Samsung Community forums, and a manager from the Samsung Notes team acknowledged the request, stating that the company is “considering” enhancements to font support in future updates. The absence of third-party font support is attributed to copyright issues, as many fonts require licensing for commercial use. Users can only change the font by modifying the system-wide Android font, and while existing formatting options provide some differentiation, custom fonts could enhance organizational features. There is no definitive timeline for the implementation of this feature.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

Firefox looking into Android bug sending users back a page

Many Firefox users on Android are experiencing a glitch where the browser unexpectedly navigates back to the previous page while reading, often returning them to Google search results. This issue occurs after a page has fully loaded, with users reporting it happens approximately 50% to 70% of the time. The bug can cause Firefox to jump back two or three pages, disrupting browsing history. Standard troubleshooting methods have not resolved the issue, which appears linked to clicking links from Google search results. Mozilla's mobile engineering team is aware of the problem and is tracking it through a bug report on Bugzilla. Initial tests by Mozilla's Quality Assurance team did not replicate the issue, but many affected users are on Samsung Galaxy phones with Android 16 and One UI 8.0. The problem coincides with recent updates to Firefox, and users have found a temporary workaround by opening links in new tabs. Mozilla is encouraging users to test Firefox Nightly and Beta versions and is collecting logs from affected devices to investigate further.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

6 Free Apps To Automate Tasks on Android

In daily life, people engage in repetitive phone actions that shape their routines, such as turning off Wi-Fi or silencing notifications. Android devices offer basic automation features, but true automation potential lies in apps that allow personalized routines. Samsung Galaxy users can utilize Modes and Routines, integrated into One UI 5.1, to create preset profiles and custom automations based on triggers like time and location. Google’s Action Blocks enable users to create customizable shortcuts for complex tasks with a single tap, leveraging Google Assistant. Automate by LlamaLab uses a visual flowchart interface for routine creation, allowing users to design automation flows with over 320 building blocks available. aProfiles focuses on profile-based automation, adjusting settings based on time and location, while IFTTT allows users to create applets for connected services, with limitations on custom applets for free users. MacroDroid offers a three-part structure for automations, with over 100 triggers and actions, and a template library for pre-made macros, while the free version limits users to five macros.

Winsage

December 31, 2025

New Samsung Internet update for Windows brings two improvements

Samsung has released an update for the Samsung Internet app on Windows, now at version 29.0.0.146. The update includes enhanced homepage shortcut icons for smoother navigation and improved visibility of text in the search bar on the home page. Users can check for updates by opening the browser, accessing the settings through the hamburger menu, and selecting "About Samsung Internet." If a new version is available, it will download automatically. Additionally, Google is updating Chrome on Android to include a 'Show Reading mode' option, although users find Samsung Internet's reading mode more user-friendly.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Samsung Might Finally Bring App Lock in One UI 9 (Android 17)

Samsung is developing a native App Lock feature for its upcoming One UI 9, based on Android 17, as indicated by the Android Canary 2512 build. This feature aims to allow users to lock individual applications directly, eliminating the need for the Secure Folder. An App Lock API and a new permission labeled LOCK_APPS have been identified in the Canary build, although the feature is currently disabled and in early development. Samsung has previously experimented with a similar solution in One UI 8.5, which allowed individual app locks using various security methods.