PIN Archives

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

5 of the best new Android apps you need to try this January

DogEar is a free widget app for avid readers that cycles through quotes from books, allowing users to pin it to their home or lock screen. The free version limits users to three books, with a paid option for full access. Where Winds Meet is a free open-world RPG set in 10th-century China, featuring over 150 hours of single-player content and various character customization options. Seriatim Reader is a free e-book reader that displays books one sentence at a time, supporting major e-book formats like EPUB and PDF. Caresleep is a free app that offers customizable offline soundscapes for relaxation, including a sleep timer and lullabies, without ads or limitations. Doki Doki Literature Club! is a free visual novel that has been ported to Android, featuring a literature club theme with unexpected narrative twists and support for 1080p content.

BetaBeacon

January 1, 2026

Why I think a desktop-class Chrome browser for Android would change the whole game

The Chrome browser is considered the center of all activities on Chromebooks, even though ChromeOS has evolved beyond just being a browser. The lack of a desktop-class version of Chrome for Android hinders the usability of Android Desktop and DeX for productivity. Google is expected to release a desktop-class version of Chrome for Android in 2026, which could potentially make phones powerful desktop replacements.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

These 10 Android Apps Will Make Your Phone Smarter Than Ever

Your smartphone can be enhanced with various applications that improve productivity, personalization, and digital well-being. A recent video from Xtream Droid highlights ten lesser-known Android apps: 1. Gesture Suite: Allows users to create custom gestures for over 70 actions, automating tasks like turning on the flashlight or controlling music playback. 2. Transfer: Turns your phone into a local file server for quick, wireless file sharing without cables or third-party services, ensuring privacy and security. 3. Safe Space: Provides encrypted, offline storage for sensitive files, protecting data from unauthorized access without relying on cloud services. 4. LED Keyboard: Offers customizable LED effects, multilingual support, and advanced typing features while ensuring user privacy by not collecting typing data. 5. Shelf Launcher: A minimalist app that integrates gesture controls, quick search options, and note-taking features to optimize workflow and productivity. 6. Lock Me Out: Helps manage screen time by allowing users to set app blocking modes and schedule lockouts to minimize distractions. 7. Regain: Tracks app usage patterns and provides insights to maintain a balanced relationship with your device, promoting healthier digital habits. 8. Action Notch: Transforms the phone’s camera cutout into a functional control button for quick access to tasks like taking screenshots or switching apps. 9. Smart Dock Launcher: Offers a desktop-like experience with multi-window support and customizable layouts for better multitasking on Android devices. 10. NotePinr: An offline task management app that allows users to create to-do lists and reminders, with the ability to pin important notes to the notification bar.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Google’s Android Automotive Adds PIN-Lock for App Privacy

Google has introduced the Sensitive App Protection feature in Android Automotive, allowing users to lock individual applications with a PIN to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information in shared vehicles. This feature aims to enhance privacy amidst the rise of ride-sharing and car-sharing services, addressing concerns about unauthorized app usage by valets and other users. Sensitive App Protection is applicable to family cars and rental vehicles, ensuring that protected apps remain inaccessible without the PIN, even in restricted modes. The feature is designed to improve user privacy in connected cars, coinciding with increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding data handling. User adoption will depend on awareness and ease of use, with early feedback being generally positive. Critics note that while PIN-locking is beneficial, it does not fully address vulnerabilities related to data transmission over unsecured networks. Google plans to transition to the Gemini AI platform, which may enhance security features further. Regulatory bodies are monitoring these developments closely, and ethical considerations regarding access to privacy features for different user demographics are being discussed.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

Facebook Messenger’s Desktop App Is Officially Dead

As of December 15, 2025, Meta has retired its native Messenger applications for Mac and Windows, directing users to the Facebook website for conversations. The desktop app was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic but struggled to compete with platforms like Zoom. In 2023, Meta began integrating Messenger into the main Facebook app, indicating a decline in the app's standalone importance. The desktop version faced criticism for its technical evolution and was downgraded to a progressive web app on Windows. Users were advised to set up a PIN to preserve chat history before the transition, with Facebook account holders directed to Facebook.com and non-Facebook users to Messenger.com.

Winsage

December 27, 2025

5 Free Windows Apps You’ve Probably Never Used (But Should)

EarTrumpet is a free and open-source application for Windows that simplifies audio control, allowing users to manage per-app volume settings and switch audio outputs easily. It supports hotkey configurations and has a modern interface with dark mode. Ditto Clipboard enhances the clipboard functionality in Windows 11, allowing users to store hundreds or thousands of clipboard entries, with a search feature and support for various content types. UniGetUI is a universal app manager that simplifies software installation and updates by consolidating access to multiple app repositories and supporting bulk operations. WizTree is a utility that analyzes storage drives to identify large files and folders, presenting data visually through a tree map and scanning terabytes of data quickly. MusicBee is a music manager and player that organizes local music collections, automatically seeds tags and artwork, supports various audio formats, and offers customizable features.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Android Automotive will let you PIN-lock apps to keep them private from passengers

Google is introducing a native App Lock feature for its Android Automotive operating system, allowing users to secure specific applications with a unique PIN, separate from the primary profile lock. This feature, called sensitive app protection, addresses privacy concerns in shared vehicle environments by enabling users to lock third-party apps like Chrome or WhatsApp. The App Lock feature will be accessible under Settings > Privacy and requires users to create a 4-to-16-digit PIN. If forgotten, the PIN can be reset by signing into the associated Google Account, potentially requiring the deletion of locked apps or their data. Essential system tools will remain accessible, and the feature's implementation will depend on individual automakers. Google is also developing a similar App Lock for Android phones, set to be released as a public API in the upcoming Android 17 update.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Android Automotive Adds PIN Lock for Apps

Google is enhancing its Android Automotive platform with a feature called Sensitive App Protection, which allows drivers to secure individual applications with a PIN lock. This feature ensures that sensitive information remains confidential in shared vehicle environments by enabling drivers to restrict access to specific apps while allowing passengers to manage entertainment options. Users can set a unique 4- to 16-digit code for app locks, and recovery is possible via a linked Google Account, although it may involve deleting the locked apps or their data. Most apps from the Play Store can be locked, except for certain system apps like Assistant, Maps, and Settings, which remain accessible. The feature is being rolled out as an unbundled system app, meaning automakers must choose to integrate it, and it will be available through over-the-air updates for vehicles equipped with Google services from various manufacturers. Automakers are expected to restrict PIN entry while the vehicle is in motion for safety reasons.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Android Automotive to enhance privacy with new app lock feature

Android Automotive is introducing a new app lock feature that will require a PIN to unlock individual apps, enhancing user privacy by allowing users to secure specific applications. Currently, users can lock their profiles, but this can lead to privacy concerns when passengers need access to certain apps. The new feature will support PINs from four to sixteen digits, but its rollout timeline is uncertain as it is an unbundled app that requires compatibility with car manufacturers.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

4 Ways To Use Android Apps On Your Mac Or PC

You can access Android apps on your PC or Mac through various methods. 1. Phone Link: Windows 11 allows you to sync your Android phone with your PC using the Phone Link app, enabling you to send texts, make calls, browse photos, and launch Android apps. To set it up, both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and you need to install the Link to Windows app on your Android device. 2. Google Play Games: This desktop application lets you play Android games on Windows. Minimum requirements include Windows 10, 10GB SSD storage, 8GB RAM, and Intel UHD Graphics 630. You can download it from the Google Play Games website. 3. MuMuPlayer: An Android emulator that recreates the Android OS environment on your computer. It requires Windows 7 or later, a quad-core i5-7500 CPU, 4GB RAM, and 2GB free disk space. You can download and install it, then access the Play Store to run Android apps. 4. ScrCpy: An open-source tool for mirroring and controlling your Android screen on your computer via a wired connection. You need to enable Developer options and USB debugging on your Android phone, then connect it to your computer and run ScrCpy to mirror the screen. Each method has specific requirements and setup instructions.