popular Archives

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

I can’t get the Pixel’s Now Playing feature on my Android phone, but one of my long-time favorite apps gets the job done

The Now Playing feature on Google Pixel phones allows users to identify songs playing nearby, but Google has no plans to extend this feature to other Android devices. Shazam is a popular alternative for song identification, offering an Auto Shazam feature that works in the background on nearly all Android devices. This feature processes song identification on-device, conserving battery life and data usage. Shazam is often one of the first apps downloaded when setting up a new phone, making it a key tool for music discovery.

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

The maker of the Baldur’s Gate 3 over-the-shoulder camera mod has gone to great lengths to demonstrate it’s not like other third-person viewpoint solutions

Relysia's True Third-Person Camera mod for Baldur's Gate 3 transforms the game's traditional bird's-eye perspective into an immersive over-the-shoulder viewpoint. While Baldur's Gate 3 has a third-person mode accessible via controller, many players find Relysia's mod enhances the experience significantly. The mod has sparked discussions on platforms like Nexus Mods, highlighting the dedication of modders. Players have reported a distinctly different experience after using the mod, leading them to revisit the game. Other popular mods include the WASD Character Movement mod and the Party Limit Begone mod, which offer additional gameplay enhancements.

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Fighting AI, one block at a time: Trenton resident recreating Pictou County in Minecraft

Logan Smith, an 18-year-old from Trenton, has been recreating iconic sites from Pictou County in Minecraft since July 18. He has already recreated several locations, including the Express Yourself Cafe, Domino’s, and Tim Horton’s. Smith shares his work on Facebook, receiving positive feedback and requests from the community. He plans to continue his project until he exhausts his passion or completes all known spots in the county, with upcoming projects including Trenton Town Hall and Sparkles Arcade/Appleseed Modern Diner. Smith uses Google Maps for reference, and his most challenging creation has been the Trenton Tim Horton’s, which required a visit for reference images. He aims to highlight familiar locations that evoke a sense of belonging rather than create an accurate map of Pictou County. Smith hopes his project will inspire others to embrace creativity in an age dominated by artificial intelligence.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Halo and Palworld Dethroned by New #1 Best-Selling Steam Game That Is Free for Some

Mistfall Hunter, a dark fantasy extraction action RPG developed by Bellring Games and Skystone Games, has reached the #1 position on the Steam Top Sellers chart, surpassing Palworld and Halo: Campaign Evolved. The game is priced at .99, but is available for .49 until August 10, and is free for PC Game Pass subscribers. It has outperformed other popular titles like Corsair Cove, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Mistfall Hunter has a “Mostly Positive” rating with a 72% approval from 1,526 user reviews, despite some criticism regarding solo content and performance issues. In its first 24 hours, it attracted over 100,000 players.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

XBOX could eventually stop releasing games on Steam

Journalist Jez Corden from Windows Central suggested that Microsoft may be considering a shift in its gaming strategy on PC, potentially moving away from Valve's Steam platform. He indicated that Microsoft has plans that could lead to a withdrawal from Steam, although specifics are not yet clear. Corden mentioned that he would not be surprised if Microsoft ceased support for Steam, but the situation remains fluid. It is uncertain whether any potential withdrawal would affect only upcoming releases or existing titles as well. Microsoft has not announced any formal plans to remove its games from Steam, and a shift away from the platform would represent a significant change in XBOX's publishing strategy, which has typically involved launching first-party games on both Steam and its own ecosystem.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Third-party app stores are about to take over Google Play. Here’s how to prepare

Alternative third-party app stores are becoming more prominent on Android, with major companies developing their own storefronts to bypass Google. These stores will be accessible for download directly from the Google Play Store in the U.S. for the first time. This shift is driven by developers' dissatisfaction with the "app tax" imposed by Google and Apple, along with international regulatory efforts like Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which require tech giants to open their platforms to competition. While this change offers more choices for users, it also raises security concerns as the Google Play Store's protective measures may be weakened, leading to potential risks from counterfeit app stores. Additionally, the rise of third-party stores may complicate subscription management and billing, as each store will likely implement its own payment system. This fragmentation could increase the risk of data breaches and complicate user experience. The future may see a competitive landscape similar to streaming services, potentially driving Google to improve its offerings.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

These Android Phones Are Losing YouTube App Access In 2026

By 2026, certain smartphones will no longer receive support for popular applications like YouTube. Users can still access YouTube via the web version if their app is no longer supported. Google will not disable these devices remotely. Users are advised to check for software updates by navigating to Settings, selecting System, and tapping on Software Updates. Devices running Android 7.0 or later may have better app functionality, while those on Android 6.0 should consider upgrading. Current Android smartphones from Google and Samsung will receive up to seven years of software updates.

BetaBeacon

August 1, 2026

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

A new app called Messages by OzarksMade aims to emulate the look and feel of Samsung Messages and include RCS support via integration with Google Messages.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

In happier times, Sony was courting PC gamers with lavish magazine ads for its ‘most popular CD-ROM titles’

Sony's current strategy for the PlayStation 6 focuses on the continuation of physical media and has moved away from releasing high-profile games on PC platforms, contrasting sharply with its mid-1990s approach when it actively sought to engage the PC gaming community. In 1996, Sony invested in a 16-page advertisement in a gaming magazine to promote its PlayStation titles, highlighting features like CD-quality audio and impressive color display capabilities. Despite the ambitious marketing efforts, the success of these titles was limited. The gaming landscape has since evolved, with a shift towards a digital-first approach, reflecting changes in technology and consumer preferences.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

How do PC player demographics change at 50 hours vs. 30 minutes?

GameDiscoverCo newsletter has reached 45,000 subscribers. The Video Game History Foundation launched a ‘history of E3’ collection, including an introductory video, vintage footage, and a podcast. Microsoft reported a decline in Xbox revenue for four consecutive quarters, with Content & Services revenue at approximately .75 billion (down 10% year-over-year) and hardware revenue around million (down 13% year-over-year). Asha Sharma noted over 200 million new players joined Xbox in FY2026, but the business did not grow. PlayStation's PS5 sales reached 95.3 million, with a 1.6 million increase for the quarter but a 36% year-over-year decline. Active PSN users rose to 125 million, and profit surged by 37%. Meta's Reality Labs reported a loss of .6 billion in Q2, despite million in revenue. Slotbound, a roguelike auto-battler game, achieved 50,000 wishlists and 2,900 peak demo concurrent users. Over 1,000 PC games now operate direct channels, saving developers an estimated billion in platform fees in 2025. GameDiscoverCo’s Steam Fan Snapshot data revealed that the average age of players is 31 for Clair Obscur and 25 for R.E.P.O. 37.5% of respondents find games through short-form video, while 27.9% use traditional media websites. Players of ARC Raiders show a strong preference for the Steam Deck, and as playtime increases, console playtime declines.