podcasts Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

TIDAL Raises Prices Again: What It Means for Music Streamers

TIDAL will implement a price increase for its U.S. subscribers starting August 3, 2026. The new pricing structure will be as follows: Individual plan at .99/month, Family plan at .99/month, and Student plan at .99/month. Existing subscribers will maintain their current rates until their first billing date after the price change. TIDAL's Individual plan remains competitive compared to Spotify Premium and Qobuz Studio, but is higher than Apple Music's .99/month for Individual and .99/month for Family plans. TIDAL cites the need to support artists and invest in new features as reasons for the price increase. The impact on Individual subscribers is expected to be minimal, while Family and Student subscribers may reconsider their options due to the higher costs.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Some of your favorite podcasts are losing their app, but you’ll still be able to listen

Amazon has retired the Wondery podcast app and its Wondery+ subscription service, confirming this through an update to a blog post. Wondery-branded podcasts will continue under Amazon, with the studio producing shows like Armchair Expert and New Heights. Former Wondery+ subscribers are encouraged to explore Audible, which now offers a Standard plan for ad-free access to Wondery podcasts. Wondery’s shows remain accessible on platforms like Apple Podcasts and YouTube. The brand has faced challenges, including layoffs and a restructuring that moved its narrative podcasts to Audible.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

GM is adding 200 new apps to its cars with Google built-in

General Motors is enhancing the digital experience in its vehicles by introducing support for over 200 new applications on its "Cars with Google built-in" platform, moving away from Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The new apps will be available on select 2024 and newer models of Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles equipped with Google built-in. Driver-focused apps will be accessible only when the vehicle is parked, while passengers can enjoy games and streaming services during travel. The new offerings include games like basketball, chess, and solitaire for drivers, and streaming services such as Disney Plus, Hulu, Tubi, and YouTube for passengers. Music and podcast platforms like Spotify, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music will also be supported. The passenger and rear displays will support these apps in select 2025 and newer GM models, including the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and GMC Yukon. Users can find these applications under a “car compatible apps” section in Google Play. GM vehicle owners are encouraged to monitor their infotainment systems for the new apps.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

GM just ‘unlocked’ over 200 Android Automotive apps, including YouTube, for its Google built-in vehicles

General Motors (GM) is expanding its Google built-in vehicles to support over 200 additional Android Automotive apps, enhancing the entertainment experience for passengers with access to applications on backseat screens. GM is phasing out support for Android Auto and CarPlay in newer models, relying instead on an integrated infotainment system that utilizes Android Automotive apps. The latest software updates allow vehicles with Google built-in to access a wide range of apps from the center display and on front and rear passenger screens. Streaming apps available include YouTube, Disney+, and Hulu, with support for these apps on backseat displays in select vehicles. Models from the 2025 lineup that will support these applications include the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, Cadillac Escalade and CELESTIQ, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. Additional streaming services expected to be available include AMC+, Tubi, TuneIn, ViX, and more.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Commodore Callback 8020 Retro Flip Phone Runs Android Apps

The Commodore Callback 8020 is a Sailfish OS flip phone designed to block browsers and social media, while retaining essential features like maps, messaging, music, and calls. It operates on Sailfish OS and can run over 99% of Android apps through a sandboxed Android AppSupport layer. The device lacks Google Play Services and the Play Store but comes preloaded with WhatsApp and supports various applications such as Signal, Telegram, and mapping services. It blocks web browsers and major social media applications at the system level, and email and work-related apps are excluded from the app store. The Callback 8020 features a clamshell design, T9-style texting, a 48MP rear camera, FM radio, and comes in multiple retro-inspired finishes. Preorders will start on June 30 at a price of 9.99, with shipping expected to begin in winter.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

6 Android Auto apps that are essential when I’m off-roading

Android Auto is expanding its functionality for outdoor activities with a variety of apps designed for off-road navigation and exploration. These applications cater to different vehicle types, including RVs and ATVs, and many off-road vehicles now come with built-in Android Auto systems. Aftermarket multimedia units are also available for those without factory-installed screens. Key apps include: - onX Offroad/Hunt: Provides access to verified off-road trails, difficulty ratings, and land boundaries, with features for hunters including landowner information and offline maps. - National Park Service: Offers interactive trail maps, self-guided tours, and downloadable park information, enhancing the experience of exploring U.S. national parks. - RV Life: Assists RV owners in planning safe routes based on their vehicle's dimensions, avoiding low bridges and restricted roads, though it requires a subscription for Android Auto integration. - Gaia GPS: A navigation tool for areas with limited cell service, featuring various map layers and the ability to track position and access downloaded maps on the vehicle's display. - Spotify: Allows users to download music and podcasts for offline listening through Android Auto, requiring a premium subscription and a brief online connection every 30 days.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

5 Of The Best Android Apps For Making A Podcast

The accessibility of recording and production tools for podcasting has increased, allowing aspiring podcasters to use mobile devices for high-quality content creation. Wireless microphones, like the DJI Mic 2, enhance the recording experience. Various recording and production apps are available for Android users, including: - FL Studio Mobile: A digital audio workstation app that allows users to add tracks, record, and apply mixing and effects plugins, featuring multi-track recording and an intuitive interface. - Riverside: An app that simplifies the recording process by allowing users to invite guests via links, recording up to 4K video and 48 kHz audio, and saving files in WAV format while uploading high-quality files to the cloud. - MasteringBOX: An AI-driven app that enhances audio quality by assessing and improving the sound characteristics of uploaded recordings with a single-button solution. - Koala Sampler: An app that enables users to record sounds and create music directly on their phones, allowing for the incorporation of unique melodies and sound effects into podcasts. - Google Recorder: A built-in app for Android that captures audio and transcribes it in real-time, facilitating easy editing of audio files through text modification. The selection of these apps was based on their active support, usability across various Android devices, and positive user feedback.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

5 apps you should use instead of NotebookLM

NotebookLM is a leading AI research assistant and note-taking application, but there are several alternatives available. In a recent poll, user preferences for alternatives were as follows: OpenNotebook (31%), Obsidian (19%), Recall AI (6%), Notion (0%), Atlas (0%), and 44% preferred NotebookLM. Notion allows users to create a knowledge database and excels in managing interconnected databases, while NotebookLM focuses on analyzing research and generating audio summaries. Obsidian offers a customizable knowledge management system with a knowledge graph for organizing ideas. Recall AI serves as a self-organizing knowledge database that summarizes information into searchable cards and includes a quiz-making feature. Atlas is tailored for academic research, emphasizing accurate source citations and creating visual data representations. OpenNotebook mirrors NotebookLM's functionalities, allowing users to upload sources for AI-generated responses and offers audio summaries, but requires local or online hosting and technical proficiency.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

NotebookLM is quickly becoming the podcast app I didn’t know I needed

Many individuals are experiencing AI fatigue, with concerns about uninspired content, job displacement, and environmental issues related to data centers. The term ‘AI slop’ reflects growing skepticism towards AI-generated media. However, the author had a positive experience with AI-generated podcasts using NotebookLM, particularly during a visit to South Korea. The podcast 'Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time' by Jiwon Yoon featured AI-generated voices, which initially caused conflict for the author but ultimately impressed them due to the accuracy derived from Jiwon’s expert notes. While the author prefers human hosts, they acknowledge that NotebookLM can outperform subpar traditional podcasts and help academics share their insights in accessible formats. NotebookLM allows for quick conversion of academic essays into podcasts, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge that might otherwise remain obscure.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Android 17 cracks down on shady apps that play surprise background audio

Google is enhancing the audio experience on its Android 17 platform by implementing "Background Audio Hardening," which introduces stricter regulations for applications that play audio in the background. Under new guidelines, apps must either be actively displayed on the user’s screen or use an approved foreground service for audio functions. Android 17 will restrict apps from initiating audio playback automatically at device startup, and non-compliant apps may have their audio actions prevented without an error message. Mainstream media applications are expected to operate normally if developers follow the recommended playback systems, and alarms and timers will remain unaffected by these restrictions.