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Google’s AI Android Updates Spark Phone App Glitches on Pixel Devices
AppWizard
January 2, 2026

Google’s AI Android Updates Spark Phone App Glitches on Pixel Devices

The phone app within Google's ecosystem has faced significant user frustration due to recent updates that disrupt essential functions like dialing and contact management. Users report issues such as the app failing to register incoming calls and cumbersome navigation following software patches. AI features introduced to enhance user experience often misfire, raising privacy concerns. The Pixel series has experienced bugs, including one that automatically declined calls. Updates to Google's search algorithm have inadvertently affected app performance, leading to instabilities. Monthly system updates prioritize new features over rigorous testing, resulting in a bloated app with sporadic functionality. Policy changes regarding data handling complicate app interactions, making simple tasks more laborious. Google's rapid release cycle has led to volatility in app performance, with security patches sometimes introducing new bugs. The integration of third-party services has created inconsistencies, and the overall Android ecosystem suffers from misalignment between updates. Users express dissatisfaction with the prioritization of aesthetics over functionality in updates. Critics argue that Google's approach mirrors past missteps, and experts recommend proactive user measures and improved developer practices to enhance app reliability.
Windows on Arm had another good year
Winsage
December 29, 2025

Windows on Arm had another good year

The tech landscape is expected to see significant advancements in chips and software by 2026, particularly with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series enhancing Arm-based Windows laptops. The Snapdragon X chips improved performance and battery life, making Windows on Arm laptops more viable, especially in Microsoft’s Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lines. However, challenges with app compatibility persisted, limiting users to simplified versions of software like Adobe Lightroom. In 2025, software enhancements allowed more creative applications to run natively or through improved emulation, including Adobe Premiere Pro and a functioning version of Lightroom Classic on lower-end Snapdragon X Plus chips. Gaming options improved with advancements in emulator technology, and compatibility for Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat was established. The Xbox game launcher expanded to support local installations on Arm devices. Despite the growing appeal of Windows on Arm laptops, traditional x86 options remain dominant for gaming. The first generation of Snapdragon X chips set new benchmarks for battery life, but competition from Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix Point chips is emerging. Nvidia is rumored to be developing an Arm-based chip for Alienware laptops, indicating a competitive landscape. The gap between x86 and Arm Windows laptops is narrowing, with Arm laptops becoming more accessible, though x86 systems are likely to remain preferred for gamers. Microsoft’s evolution of Windows into an “agentic OS” raises questions about the future of Windows laptops.
Windows 11 Users Demand Leaner OS to Cut AI Bloat and Boost Speed
Winsage
December 27, 2025

Windows 11 Users Demand Leaner OS to Cut AI Bloat and Boost Speed

Microsoft is facing significant user criticism regarding Windows 11, particularly due to its emphasis on artificial intelligence features, which many users find unnecessary and detrimental to performance. Complaints include sluggish interfaces, increased resource consumption, and a cluttered user experience, leading to calls for a more streamlined version that prioritizes speed, reliability, and efficiency. Users have reported issues such as slow file explorers and excessive RAM usage, often linking these problems to AI-driven functionalities. Community-driven alternatives like Tiny11 have emerged, focusing on eliminating bloatware and AI features to enhance efficiency, especially on older hardware. Microsoft has acknowledged user concerns and promised improvements, but the integration of AI tools continues to dominate updates. The company is also reconsidering its strategy in response to backlash, including relaxing system requirements for certain versions of Windows. However, there remains a strong demand for a lightweight version that balances innovation with core functionalities, as users express frustration over imposed features and a lack of choice.
No, Google isn't using your Gmail data to train AI models, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful about the kind of data you share with companies
AppWizard
November 22, 2025

No, Google isn’t using your Gmail data to train AI models, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful about the kind of data you share with companies

The ongoing dialogue surrounding data collection highlights the relationship between users and their digital footprints, particularly during events like Black Friday. Recent claims about a new Gmail setting allowing Google to use user message data for AI training have been clarified by Google, which states it does not use Workspace data for this purpose. Instead, data is anonymized to improve features like spam detection. Users often become the product in a digital economy where their data is exchanged for free services, leading to the creation of detailed profiles that can be sold to advertisers. This results in practices like price discrimination and hyper-targeted messaging. Data breaches pose a threat to companies holding extensive data, and automated decision-making can lead to biased outcomes. Consumers are encouraged to engage with privacy policies and question the necessity of data requests to better manage their data and maintain ownership of their digital identity.
Google will now warn about battery-hungry Android apps
AppWizard
November 17, 2025

Google will now warn about battery-hungry Android apps

Google is enhancing the Android user experience by addressing battery drain caused by applications. The company is collaborating with developers to create power-efficient apps and has introduced new "technical quality metrics" to identify apps that excessively drain battery life. A specific focus is on "excessive partial wake locks," developed in partnership with Samsung, which can significantly escalate battery usage. A new beta metric for excessive partial wake locks has been refined and will soon be available as a core vital for all developers. Starting March 1, 2026, Google will implement new standards that could affect app visibility on the Play Store. Apps that do not meet the quality threshold for excessive wake locks may be excluded from prominent discovery surfaces and could receive warnings about potential battery drain. An app is considered to have excessive wake lock usage if it holds more than 2 cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks in a 24-hour period, with a threshold for "bad behavior" set at exceeding 5% of user sessions classified as excessive over the past 28 days. Developers will receive alerts if their app surpasses this limit.
EA is giving some Battlefield 6 players free battle passes and boosters to patch up launch-day snafu
AppWizard
October 12, 2025

EA is giving some Battlefield 6 players free battle passes and boosters to patch up launch-day snafu

EA and Battlefield Studios are addressing player frustrations from the launch of Battlefield 6, which faced significant outages and confusion for Steam users regarding game availability. Despite these challenges, the game has received positive reviews and reached the number three position on Steam. Battlefield Studios acknowledged the outage and is offering affected players 12 Hardware Boosters, 12 Career Boosters, and full access to a seasonal battle pass. They are also investigating issues with players not receiving in-game rewards and have provided troubleshooting steps for Steam users experiencing a 'Game not released' message. The community is encouraged to share experiences and strategies on the PCGamesN Discord server.
"Almost all" businesses being weighed down by Microsoft technical debt ahead of Windows 10 End Of Life
Winsage
September 30, 2025

“Almost all” businesses being weighed down by Microsoft technical debt ahead of Windows 10 End Of Life

Businesses face a critical deadline on October 14, 2025, with the end of life for Windows 10, leading to concerns among IT leaders. Nearly 90% of companies are dealing with technical debt from outdated Microsoft systems. Many organizations have delayed necessary upgrades, risking vulnerabilities as Windows 10 will no longer receive updates or security patches after the deadline. Experts advise prioritizing upgrades to maintain operational integrity and protect sensitive data. Options for extended support exist, but businesses are encouraged to adopt newer technology for improved efficiency and security.
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