preferences Archives

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

‘Samsung Sound’ is no more: app prepares for shutdown and future integration

Samsung will close the Sound app on March 31, 2027, and is encouraging users to transition to SmartThings, where the app's functionalities will be integrated. This follows the closure of several other apps in 2026, including Messages, Quick Measure, and AR Doodle. Samsung aims to streamline its offerings and enhance user experience through this consolidation.

BetaBeacon

October 1, 2026

Football Manager 27 launches November 10 for PS5, Xbox Series, PC, iOS, and Android

Football Manager 27 features a cleaner, more intuitive interface with new and returning features to enhance immersion and decision-making. The game offers smarter navigation, better scaling, and greater personalization options for players. The football world beyond the player's club has been reawakened with returning and reimagined features, such as cup draws and an overhauled news feed. Players can stay ahead of the competition with improved stats and data reporting. Fans can follow @FootballManager on social media for more gameplay reveals and updates leading up to the game's launch.

AppWizard

October 1, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Blasphemous, CyberHive, Forager, Dune, more

Today's Google Play app and game deals include: - Blasphemous: A dark and challenging action-platformer. - Chai: A puzzle game that blends strategy with creativity. - CyberHive: An adventure set in a futuristic world. - Crying Suns: A tactical rogue-lite exploring a fallen empire. - Forager: A 2D open-world game focused on exploration, farming, gathering, and crafting. - Dune: Imperium Digital: A strategic board game adaptation set in the Dune universe. - 60 Seconds! Reatomized: An atomic adventure focused on survival. - King and Assassins: A digital version of a popular board game. - Druid: A journey through nature and magic. Additionally, there are early fall Prime Day deals with significant savings, including a 50% discount on Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K and up to 0 off the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

AppWizard

October 1, 2026

6 of the best new Android apps you need to try this October

In October 2026, several noteworthy Android applications were introduced: - Adobe Premiere: A mobile video editing app from Adobe, designed for shorter formats like YouTube Shorts, featuring speed and transition effects, unlimited tracks for advanced editing, and AI capabilities. Requires Android 13 or newer and a minimum of 5GB RAM. - SongFlip: An app that simplifies music link-sharing by automatically redirecting links to the user's preferred music service, supporting platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more. It offers a premium version with a history feature. - Memoria: An offline gallery app that uses AI for contextual search, allowing natural language searches and image retrieval based on reference photos, while prioritizing user privacy by processing data locally. - Rowtine: An app for knitting and crocheting enthusiasts that helps manage projects and patterns, allowing users to import PDF patterns and track progress. - Material Files: An updated Android file manager that introduces enhancements like support for Shizuku, additional storage options, and improved navigation features. - Radio Addict: An internet radio streaming app that allows users to search by country, city, or genre, featuring a stats section to track listening habits. It is free with ads and offers a subscription option to remove them.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

Gemini Gems are heading out: Google to replace them with ‘Skills’ in November

Google is transitioning from its Gemini Gems feature to a new functionality called "Skills," effective November 17, 2026. Users can continue to access Gems until the migration occurs. Skills are designed as "reusable custom instructions" that can be stacked and accessed more easily during Gemini chats. Gems were introduced in August 2024 to allow users to create personalized AI experiences. Skills are currently available in Gemini chats for users over 18 with personal accounts, with plans to extend to work and school accounts in the future. Gems have been integrated into Google’s Workspace suite and are accessible on both desktop and mobile platforms. Skills consist of instructions and preferences that teach Gemini how to handle specific tasks.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

This iconic ad-free Android TV launcher is finally getting a makeover after nearly a decade

Sideload Launcher has received its first major update in eight years, with the new version 2.0 featuring a redesigned interface that includes a cleaner app list and enhanced customization options. Users can now sort and organize applications more effectively, with dedicated rows for recently opened apps and favorites, and the ability to filter apps by source and intended devices. The update allows users to modify app icon shapes and adjust the number of columns displayed. Users can set Sideload Launcher as their default launcher if permitted by their device. The launcher remains free from ads and tracking, operates without an internet connection, and is available for download through the Play Store or via USB. The update was announced by Chainfire, the developer known for SuperSU.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

Google Messages could soon make voice notes easier to initiate

Google Messages is exploring a single-tap feature for initiating voice recordings in RCS chats, as seen in the beta version messages.android2026092101_RC00. This change aims to simplify the current two-step process of sending voice notes, which involves tapping the waveform icon and then the microphone icon or long-pressing the waveform icon. While the single-tap feature could enhance accessibility, it raises concerns about accidental activation. Other messaging platforms, like Telegram, require a long press to start a voice note to minimize unintentional recordings. WhatsApp for Android has already implemented a similar single-tap feature. There is hope that Google will introduce a toggle in the settings menu to allow users to choose between the new single-tap method and the traditional approach.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

New cozy PC bundle is perfect for Halloween with eight spooky games for just $10

Humble Bundle has launched the Fall Into Fun-dle bundle, featuring eight games themed around witchcraft, magic, and sorcery. The bundle is available in two tiers: the first tier includes five games for €5.29 / £4.51, and the second tier adds three more games for a total of eight at €10.59 / £9.04. The games included are: 1. Sugar Snack - Release Date: September 14, 2023 - Steam Rating: 66% positive 2. Outlanders - Release Date: March 7, 2023 - Steam Rating: 91% positive 3. Witch It - Release Date: October 22, 2020 - Steam Rating: 89% positive 4. Bunny Park - Release Date: January 14, 2020 - Steam Rating: 90% positive 5. Alchemy Story - Release Date: April 15, 2020 - Steam Rating: 79% positive 6. Witchtastic - Release Date: October 26, 2021 - Steam Rating: 92% positive 7. Mika and the Witch’s Mountain - Release Date: January 22, 2025 - Steam Rating: 86% positive 8. Alchemist Shop Simulator - Release Date: March 11, 2025 - Steam Rating: 74% positive

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

I turned off these 8 Google Messages features, and the app is so much better now

Google Messages has evolved to include features such as read receipts, Gemini integration, typing indicators, and chat bubbles. Some users find these enhancements beneficial, while others view them as intrusive. The author disabled several features for a more streamlined experience, leading to less clutter and fewer distractions. The features disabled include: 1. Gemini Button: A floating icon for AI-assisted messaging, which can be disabled in Message settings. 2. Profile Sharing: Allows visibility of name and photo to contacts, with customizable privacy settings available. 3. Outgoing Message Sounds: Can be turned off to create a quieter messaging environment. 4. Floating Chat Heads (Bubbles): Can be disabled to avoid distractions and protect sensitive information. 5. Follow-Up Reminders: Prompts to respond to message threads, which can be turned off in Message settings. 6. Read Receipts and Typing Indicators: Create pressure to respond quickly and can be disabled in Message settings. 7. Sensitive Content Warnings: Can misidentify benign images and can be turned off for a smoother experience. 8. Smart Reply and Suggested Actions: Offers quick responses that may not fit all conversations and can be disabled. These adjustments have improved the author's messaging experience, allowing for more personal and less stressful interactions.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

F-Droid 2.0 Released After 10 years With Major Redesign to Transform Open-Source Android App Discovery

F-Droid has released version 2.0 of its official Android app, marking the most substantial update in a decade after over a year of development and 14 test builds. The app has been reconstructed using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, aligning it with Android’s Material Design principles and improving maintenance and feature expansion. Navigation is simplified into three sections: Discover, Search, and My Apps. The Discover section showcases new apps, updates, and popular downloads, while categories have been refined for easier access to specific software types. The search functionality has been enhanced to allow users to filter by application names, descriptions, categories, and languages. F-Droid 2.0 now automatically checks for and installs updates, with manual controls still available. Recent changes in the Android platform enable smoother installation experiences for alternative app stores. Privacy features have been updated, but the F-Droid Privileged Extension is not supported in this version, and the app-wiping capability has not returned.