play Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Opera wants to save you from the chaos of switching between AI apps

Opera has updated its Android application to allow users to switch between various search engines and AI models directly from the browser's address bar. The new Ask AI button enables users to attach files, including photos and PDFs, for tasks like translation or summarization, and allows users to attach entire tabs for follow-up questions about webpage content. This update reduces the need to switch between multiple AI chatbot applications, enhancing the browsing experience. Opera has implemented privacy measures to restrict the AI's access to only the context of the shared tab, ensuring it does not access browsing history or other activities. The update is being rolled out on the Play Store.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Opera brings desktop AI features to its Android app

Opera has integrated innovative artificial intelligence features into its Android application, following previous updates to its desktop browsers. The latest update includes contextual AI, which allows users to use content from their current tab in prompts, and visual intelligence, enabling the attachment of images and files for AI analysis directly within the search bar. A new access point for AI is located beside the search box, allowing users to switch between traditional search and the Ask AI feature easily. The visual intelligence upgrade allows users to attach documents or photos for processing by the AI. Contextual AI reduces typing by using content from the current tab, ensuring that only relevant information is utilized and that user data is not used for AI training or advertising. The update is available for download through the Play Store.

BetaBeacon

December 4, 2025

Emulating PC games on Android is easier than ever, and you can thank Valve

Valve is contributing to Windows emulation on Android by sponsoring the development of key emulation tools such as the Pex emulator and the Proton compatibility layer. These tools allow Windows games designed for traditional x86 PC hardware to run on Arm architecture, enabling PC emulation on devices like Android phones and tablets.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Take my money: These are the 7 apps I gladly pay for every month

The subscription model for digital services is becoming more common, eliciting mixed feelings among users. Many are willing to invest in apps that enhance their daily lives. A recent poll showed varied monthly spending on app subscriptions, with most users balancing free and premium options. Balance is a popular meditation app with a yearly subscription cost of around , appreciated for its guided sessions. Todoist, a task management app, faces scrutiny due to recent price hikes, leading users to reconsider its value. YNAB (You Need A Budget) costs monthly or annually and is valued for its financial planning capabilities. Gemini, a versatile tool for content creation, has a monthly subscription price of , which users find justified by its features. Spotify, a leading music streaming service, costs .99 per month and is favored for its extensive library. Netflix is a preferred video streaming service, though users often switch between platforms like HBO and Prime Video based on content preferences. Niagara Launcher, a minimalist smartphone customization app, costs annually and is valued for its clean interface and accessibility features.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Slipknot’s Shawn “Clown” Crahan Unveils New Minecraft Realm Vernearth

Shawn Crahan, known as "Clown" from Slipknot, has launched a Minecraft server called Vernearth, featuring a landscape made from over 100 million blocks. The server includes four major game modes: Oblivion, PVP/Event, Plotworld, and Challenge Mode, designed to cater to various player styles. Vernearth also has a Season Mode with three phases: Season 1 ("The Heretic Anthem"), Season 2 ("The Dying Song"), and Season 3 ("Friend or Foe?"). Players can access Vernearth using the Minecraft Java Client 1.21.4 and engage with the community through an official Discord channel.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Android users may be eligible for restitution from $700M Google settlement

A million settlement with Google has been announced, allowing New York residents to claim restitution due to a lawsuit involving 54 attorneys general, including Attorney General Letitia James. The lawsuit accused Google of maintaining an unlawful monopoly over mobile app distribution and in-app payment processing for Android devices, imposing fees as high as 30% on app purchases and in-app transactions. If approved, the settlement will compensate consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023. Google has contributed million to the fund, with most impacted consumers expected to receive payments automatically via PayPal or Venmo. A court hearing to finalize the settlement is scheduled for April 30, 2026.

BetaBeacon

December 3, 2025

Sony is bringing MLB The Show to iOS and Android

Sony has launched MLB The Show Mobile, a free-to-play baseball game for iOS and Android developed by San Diego Studio. The game is currently only available in the Philippines and does not support crossplay with console games. It is optimized for newer mobile devices and features solo and player-vs-player modes with over 1,100 player cards. In-game purchases may include random items.

BetaBeacon

December 3, 2025

Red Dead Redemption hits Android and iOS as a Netflix freebie

Red Dead Redemption is being released on Android and iOS through Netflix as a freebie. The game will come with the Undead Nightmare DLC and will be playable with touch controls or controllers. If you don't have a Netflix subscription, you can purchase the game for .99.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Android scam protection pilot pauses screen sharing after opening bank apps

Android is rolling out enhanced scam protection features in the United States to combat sophisticated social engineering tactics. For users on calls with unrecognized numbers, Android 11 and later versions will activate a warning when screen sharing is enabled while accessing banking applications. This warning appears as a pop-up with a red "End call now" button, which also terminates the screen-sharing session. The alert introduces a 30-second delay before users can proceed, disrupting scammers' tactics that create urgency. Earlier this year, this feature was tested in the UK, helping thousands of users avoid financial losses. The initiative is being piloted in the US in collaboration with fintech companies and major banks.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Google expands Android scam protection feature to Chase, Cash App in U.S.

Google is expanding its in-call scam protection feature for Android to include various banks and financial applications in the United States. This update supports fintech platforms like Cash App, which has 57 million users, and the JPMorgan Chase mobile banking app, with 50 million downloads on Google Play. The feature, initially launched in May and integrated into Android 16, alerts users when they are using a financial app during a call with an unknown number, warning them that the caller may not be legitimate. The alert remains visible for 30 seconds, allowing users to reassess the situation. The feature is compatible with Android 11 and later versions and was previously tested in the U.K., Brazil, and India. Users are advised to remain vigilant and avoid risky behaviors that could compromise their security.