productivity apps Archives

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

Here’s all of the best top-tier Android apps and games now on sale for Memorial Day

Memorial Day sales feature a variety of discounted Android games and applications, including gaming deals, productivity apps, and creative tools. Users can find reduced prices on popular titles, efficiency-enhancing apps, and artistic applications. These offers present an opportunity to explore new digital experiences during the holiday weekend. Subscribing to relevant channels can help users stay informed about the latest deals.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

This new Android launcher is my new must-have app for foldable phones

Foldable smartphones often face software limitations, particularly with launchers, leading users to choose between restrictive first-party options and inadequate third-party alternatives. Octopi Launcher has emerged as a promising solution, recently launching in beta on the Play Store. It offers unique configurations tailored to both the smaller cover screen and the larger display of foldable devices, allowing users to customize layouts for different orientations and purposes. Users can create up to four distinct layouts, with options for portrait and landscape modes, and can easily set up new layouts with intuitive prompts. Octopi excels in widget management, allowing independent sizing of widgets and app icons without compromising icon size. It supports overlapping and stacked widgets, enhancing visual appeal. The app drawer offers customizable options, including traditional icon shapes or tiles that display app names. While Octopi is impressive, it is still in development, with limitations in its gesture library and basic search functionality. It is best suited for foldable phones, although it can still benefit traditional devices. Overall, Octopi Launcher is tailored for heavy customizers and shows promise for future updates.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Get HyperOS 2 Android 16 Beta 2 apps today on any Xiaomi device

Xiaomi has released system apps from the HyperOS 2 Beta 16 Android build, allowing users to enhance their devices without flashing the entire beta ROM. The updated applications include: Productivity Apps: - Note (v1.2.6.8) - Premium note-taking features. - Calculator (v15.3.4) - Smarter calculation functions. - Calendar (v16.0.20.10) - Improved scheduling and reminders. - File Explorer (v7.0.4.7) - Efficient file management. Media & Entertainment: - Browser (v19.1.90312) - Enhanced web surfing speed and protection. - Media Editor (v1.8.10.16) - Advanced photo and video editing capabilities. - Gallery (v25100112) - AI photo organization. - Screen Recorder (v2.14.2.4.1) - Smooth screen recording. System Utilities: - Theme Store (v18.0) - Access to new themes for HyperOS 2. - System Updater (v8.8.9) - Improved update process. - Weather (v16.0.5.8) - More accurate forecasting. - Mirror (v17.00.01) - Low-latency screen casting. - Sound Recorder (v6.2.5) - High-quality recordings with noise reduction. - Mi Share (v3.7.1) - Quicker file sharing between devices. - Quick Search (v10.12.1.03137) - Enhanced search functionality. - Always-on Display (RELEASE-2228.3.0.0) - New designs for the feature. - Security Center (v10.7.3-250325.0.1) - Strengthened device protection. - Mi Wallpaper (v4.4.4.1-ALPHA) - Dynamic wallpapers. - MIUI Home Launcher (RELEASE-5.39.31.10941) - Refined home screen experience. - Package Installer (v5.3.3.0.0) - Safer app installation process. To install these apps, users must download the APKs, enable "Install from Unknown Sources," install each APK individually, and restart the device. Each application has been optimized for performance with reasonable file sizes.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

My favorite Google productivity app is everywhere and nowhere

36% of participants in a poll confirmed they actively use Google Tasks via its app or web interface, while 18% only add tasks through other Google products without engaging with the Tasks app. 9% expressed interest in trying it out for the first time, and 36% indicated they prefer another to-do platform. Google Tasks was originally an integrated feature within Gmail and Calendar and was relaunched as a standalone app in 2018. It allows users to create tasks from various Google services, enhancing its utility. The app is characterized by its simplicity and straightforward interface, which may contribute to its obscurity. Google is gradually rolling out new features for Tasks, including improved sorting options and easier task management capabilities. Despite its potential, Google Tasks currently occupies a lower priority in Google's broader product strategy.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

How to Use Windows on Meta Quest 3 Headsets

At Ignite 2024, Microsoft announced enhanced support for Windows applications on Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S devices, allowing users to access Microsoft’s suite of tools without additional software. Users can create multiple virtual windows for multitasking, such as switching between Microsoft Teams and spreadsheets. Previously, users accessed Windows apps via Air Link, Remote Desktop in Horizon Workrooms, or third-party software. The new integration allows streaming from a Windows 11 PC or virtual Windows Cloud PC, enabling quick access to Windows applications in an XR environment. This functionality includes creating multiple virtual monitors or a single large monitor while maintaining visibility of physical surroundings. The experience is supported by a program called “Volumetric Apps.” Microsoft has discontinued its “Windows Mixed Reality” platform but continues to support XR innovators. Microsoft also announced the end of software support for HoloLens 2 in 2027 and hinted at a new deal with Samsung for OLED displays for a future mixed-reality headset.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is awesome, but it’s let down by the state of Android tablet apps

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra features a 14.6-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1,848 x 2,960 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz, achieving a brightness of 930 nits. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus chip, which includes four Cortex X4 CPUs and a 12-core Arm Immortalis GPU, offering performance comparable to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 8 Gen 3. The tablet has a battery capacity of 11,200mAh, allowing for several days of use, but lacks a charger in the box and has slow charging speeds. It operates on Android 14 with One UI 6.1 and is promised seven years of security patches and OS updates. The device includes a quad-speaker setup tuned by AKG and comes with accessories like a keyboard case and S Pen stylus. Priced at ,200, it faces challenges due to the limited availability of optimized Android applications for its large display.

Winsage

October 12, 2024

Ditch the Microsoft Office rental! It’s time to own your favorite productivity apps

New York Post readers can purchase Microsoft Office 2021 for their PC for .97, down from the regular price of 9.99, until October 27. This purchase provides lifetime access to applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. To ensure optimal performance, users need a Windows device with at least Windows 10 and 1GB of RAM. The offer does not require any coupons and the deadline is October 27 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Prices on StackSocial may change.

Winsage

October 8, 2024

Microsoft 365 Insiders can try out two new virtual pens in OneNote for Windows

Members of the Microsoft 365 Insider program using OneNote for Windows can now access two new digital pen options: the Fountain Pen, which allows for thinner lines and detailed lettering, and the Brush Pen, designed for creating artistic letters with adaptive stroke thickness. These features can be accessed via the Draw tab or the Add Pen button in OneNote. Users must update their app to Windows Version 2408 (Build 18011.20000) or later to use these enhancements. Additionally, Microsoft has updated the pen icons for a refreshed look and introduced an interactive ink tutorial and a feature for the Copilot AI assistant to analyze handwritten notes.

AppWizard

July 25, 2024

Google Play Store makes it easier to find Android apps, but I’m gutted this comics feature is Japan-only

Google has implemented AI-generated reviews in the Play Store to quickly deliver information about apps. The company is also using AI to help people compare software in similar categories, providing details on an app's features, downloads, and functionality. Additionally, Google is adding search controls, such as interest filters for video games, and implementing Personalization in Play to allow users to manage their app data and influence the listings that appear based on data-sharing permissions.

Winsage

July 1, 2024

Microsoft adds Copilot analysis of handwritten notes in OneNote for Windows for Insiders

Microsoft has introduced a new Copilot feature in OneNote for Windows that allows users to analyze handwritten notes in addition to typed text.