platform

AppWizard
August 29, 2025
Spotify is introducing an in-app messaging feature to enhance social capabilities on its platform, allowing users to engage with one another without leaving the app. The feature initially supports one-on-one conversations, enabling users to chat with individuals they have previously shared content with or through received Spotify links. It includes options to invite friends via contact links and features such as emoji reactions. Messages are encrypted at rest and in transit but not end-to-end encrypted, with measures in place to scan for guideline violations. The feature is currently available to users over 16 in select Latin and South American markets, with plans for broader availability in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the EU, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand in the coming weeks.
AppWizard
August 29, 2025
TRIOOH, an out-of-home advertising agency, executed a large-scale campaign for a leading messenger application across multiple cities in India, including Delhi NCR, Lucknow, Patna, Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh Tri-City, and Jaipur. The campaign was conducted over 16 days at more than 150 high-impact sites, achieving extensive visibility and citywide coverage. TRIOOH integrated a live campaign dashboard with its proprietary monitoring app, allowing real-time access to site images and audience analytics. Anuj Bhandari, Co-Founder & CEO of TRIOOH, emphasized the agency's focus on transparency and client satisfaction through innovative solutions. The campaign's success positions TRIOOH as a strong competitor in India's OOH advertising market.
AppWizard
August 29, 2025
Messaging app Telegram has applied for registration in Nepal after facing a ban imposed by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority due to its association with criminal activities. The ban, enacted in July, followed an increase in cybercrime linked to Telegram, including cyber fraud. Telegram is known for its cloud-based architecture, encryption, and privacy features, which have made it popular for secure communication but also a platform for illicit activities. Recent scrutiny has led to Telegram's co-founder, Pavel Durov, being arrested in France amid an investigation into crimes facilitated by the app. Although Telegram has started complying with legal requests in certain jurisdictions, this does not include Nepal. The Nepalese government is seeking to establish a framework that balances user privacy with public safety as it considers Telegram's registration.
AppWizard
August 29, 2025
Microsoft has expanded Xbox Cloud Gaming access to subscribers of the Standard and Core plans, allowing them to stream games included in their subscription and access titles in their personal library that support cloud play. This change aims to reduce barriers for gamers without high-end setups. Select PC titles will also be available for play on desktops and handheld devices for Xbox Insiders subscribed to Game Pass Core or Standard. Premium features remain exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, and Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently available only in select regions. Microsoft continues to offer PC Game Pass, which does not include cloud gaming or console games, and may introduce a free, ad-supported version of Game Pass in the future. The company is also committed to producing Xbox hardware and hints at a hybrid console launch next year, with a successor to the Xbox Series S/X expected by 2027.
AppWizard
August 28, 2025
Google will implement a new identity verification requirement for developers distributing apps outside the Google Play Store starting in September 2026, targeting regions like Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. A revamped Android Developer Console will be introduced to facilitate this process, including a lighter version for hobbyists and students. Developers will need to create accounts, verify their identities, and register app package names for apps outside the Google Play ecosystem. Developers using the existing Play Console will not be affected. Since the identity verification on the Play Store began in 2023, Google has seen a decrease in fraudulent applications and financial scams. The impact of this new policy may be minimal for average users but could lead to significant discussions among those who use third-party app stores or download directly from developers' websites.
AppWizard
August 28, 2025
Google announced plans to regulate "sideloaded" Android applications, which are installed from sources outside the official Android repository. This initiative includes a verification system for developers, allowing only applications from verified developers to be sideloaded, aimed at preventing malicious software. Google likened this process to airport security checks, focusing on confirming developer identities rather than inspecting application content. The OSS Rebuild program, introduced earlier, aims to verify authors of open-source libraries and ensure installed versions match published source code. Critics express concern that Google's control over developer verification could lead to exclusion of certain packages, impacting competition and developer recourse. Google has indicated plans to allow students and hobbyists to install self-developed applications, with the rollout of verified sideloading expected by 2027 in most regions.
Search