playback Archives

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

5 Android Auto settings I always change on any new Android phone

Android Auto has become a popular tool for drivers, supporting both wired and wireless connections in vehicles. Google regularly updates the platform, adding features like Google Meet support. Users can enhance their experience by adjusting settings, such as disabling auto-play for music when connecting, managing notifications from apps like YouTube Music and Spotify, preventing Android Auto from starting automatically, setting up shortcuts for Google Assistant commands, and enabling quick controls for music playback from the taskbar.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

This is not a drill: All-timer weirdo game Deadly Premonition now playable on Linux as of Valve’s most recent Proton beta, plus 17 others and your EA library (until EA breaks it again)

Proton 11 beta 1 has been released by Valve, enhancing the Steam Deck and Linux desktops, and incorporating features from Wine 11. This update includes an initial Arm64 version of Proton, with plans for implementation in the upcoming Steam Frame. Some Windows games may perform better on Linux with this update. Newly playable games include "Unknown Faces," "Gothic 1 Classic," "X-Plane 12," "Breath of Fire IV," and "Deadly Premonition." The update also fixes various issues, such as video playback in "She Sees Red," rendering problems with the Ukrainian language option in "Chambers," and voice chat issues in "Phasmophobia." Improvements have been made in VR support for "No Man's Sky," and many other gameplay and performance enhancements have been implemented across various titles. Proton 11 beta 1 is based on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, including vkd3d, dxvk, and Wine Mono.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Android 17 Beta 4 arrives with post-quantum cryptography and new memory limits

On April 16, Google released Android 17 Beta 4, concluding its beta phase and focusing on app compatibility and platform stability. Developers must finalize updates for Android 17 to avoid delays when the stable version is released. Key behavioral changes for apps targeting Android 17 include: - Large-screen resizability restrictions, preventing apps from opting out of maintaining orientation, resizability, and aspect ratio constraints. - Expanded restrictions on dynamic code loading, requiring native files loaded via System.load() to be read-only. - Certificate Transparency is enabled by default. - Local network access is restricted by default, with a new ACCESSLOCALNETWORK permission for persistent access. - Stricter rules on background audio interactions, including playback and volume change APIs. Android 17 introduces per-app memory limits based on device RAM to target memory leaks and anomalies, with minimal impact expected on app sessions. Developers can check for memory limit impacts via ApplicationExitInfo and utilize profiling tools in Android Studio Panda. An on-device anomaly detection service monitors resource-intensive behaviors and provides profiling artifacts. Additionally, the Android Keystore now supports ML-DSA for quantum-safe signatures, allowing developers to generate keys and create signatures within secure hardware.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

This Android Setting Makes It Easy to Manage All Your App Permissions

In Android devices, users can manage app permissions through a privacy dashboard located in Settings > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Permission manager. This includes permissions for the camera, microphone, location, and more. Users can specify access levels for these features, including allowing access all the time, only while using the app, or not at all. Special permissions, which allow apps to modify system settings or access sensitive data, require particular attention and can be reviewed in Settings > Apps > Special app access. Caution is advised for apps from outside the Google Play Store, as they may pose greater risks. Regular audits of app permissions are recommended to ensure that apps do not have more access than necessary.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

You can now get YouTube Premium for half price with Google AI Pro

Google is offering a 50% discount on the annual YouTube Premium subscription for new subscribers to the Google AI Pro plan, reducing the yearly cost significantly. This promotion follows recent price hikes for YouTube Premium in the U.S. and aims to attract users to the AI Pro subscription, which has increased its storage capacity from 2TB to 5TB at no extra cost. The discounted rate will continue upon renewal, but it is only available to the Google One plan manager or family organizer, not to other family plan members. Subscribers will receive features like background playback, offline downloads, ad-free viewing, and access to Gemini-powered functionalities.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Mirax RAT Targets Android Devices Through Meta Apps

Mirax is a remote access Trojan (RAT) targeting Android devices in Spanish-speaking countries, identified by Outpost24's KrakenLabs in early March. It propagates fraudulent advertisements on Meta-owned applications, allowing cybercriminals to gain initial access. Mirax can interact with compromised devices in real time, converting them into residential proxy nodes through ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It uses SOCKS5 protocol and Yamux multiplexing to establish proxy channels and uncover victims' IP addresses. The malware captures keystrokes, steals sensitive data, executes commands, and monitors user activity. It employs overlay pages to steal credentials and orchestrates distribution through Meta ads and GitHub for malicious APK files. Users are tricked into enabling installations from "unknown sources," and the malware disguises itself behind video playback features. Additionally, a threat actor has been offering Mirax as a malware-as-a-service (MaaS) on illicit forums, with subscription prices starting at ,500 for three months. This service is described as highly controlled and exclusive, primarily targeting Russian-speaking actors in underground communities.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

YouTube Premium just got a price hike, and it’s not a small one

YouTube Premium prices in the US are increasing next month for individual, family, and student plans. The individual plan will rise to .99/month, and the family plan will increase to .99/month. This follows a previous price adjustment in July 2023 when the individual plan rose from .99 to .99 per month. Users have started receiving official emails about the changes, which highlight benefits like ad-free viewing and offline downloads. The increase comes as YouTube has increased ads for free users and is cracking down on ad blockers. Some users have expressed frustration over the rising costs without perceived improvements in value.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

These 4 apps could seriously be slowing your Android phone down in plain sight

Many users attribute sluggish smartphone performance and rapid battery depletion to the need for an upgrade, but four popular applications may be the real culprits affecting Android phone performance. 1. TikTok: This app drains battery by preloading videos, syncing notifications, and tracking engagement metrics in the background, preventing the phone from entering sleep mode. It can also cause UI overdraw, straining the GPU. Switching to TikTok Lite may improve efficiency. 2. Google Maps: This navigation app uses continuous GPS tracking and real-time data updates, leading to high battery and processor usage. If set to 'Allow every time,' it retains GPS access even when not in use, causing lingering background processes that tax the CPU. Users can enable power-saving mode on Google Pixel 10 to extend battery life. 3. Spotify: Although it seems lightweight, Spotify consumes battery in the background through various services for playback, playlist syncing, and content caching. A growing cache can lead to system lag, especially with limited storage. 4. Google Photos: This app indexes images, generates thumbnails, and uploads photos to the cloud, consuming CPU and network resources. Frequent transfers of large media files or a large photo library can cause slowdowns. Limiting automatic backups can reduce network usage, conserve battery life, and free up storage space.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

YouTube tests a couple of speedy, ‘on-the-go’ features for busy Android viewers

YouTube is testing two new features for Premium users on the Android platform: "on-the-go," which provides more accessible controls for users multitasking while watching videos, and "auto-speed," which automatically increases video playback speed to save time while maintaining comprehension. These features are currently being rolled out and have not yet been listed on YouTube's standard features page. Additionally, YouTube is experimenting with a feature called "Previews," which shows users short clips of potential video content based on algorithmic predictions.

BetaBeacon

April 5, 2026

What is Tikcotech: Find out the best tricks for Android devices

Tikcotech is a mobile app that combines music, gaming, and app management into one platform. It was recognized as a significant advancement for Android users by an editorial team in July 2025. Users spend 30% more time on "super apps" like Tikcotech compared to single-purpose applications. The app comes in free and premium versions, offering features such as ad-free music playback, advanced game emulation, and unlimited app downloads. It is accessible to casual users and tech enthusiasts, with cross-platform compatibility. Machine learning algorithms and real-time computing provide a customized experience for users.