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AppWizard

September 25, 2026

F-Droid gets its biggest update in a decade with new UI and smoother app installs

F-Droid is a community-driven repository for free and open source Android applications, recently undergoing a transformation with the release of F-Droid 2.0. The new client is redesigned using Kotlin Compose, enhancing responsiveness and introducing optional Material theming for a visually appealing interface. The update simplifies app discovery and installation, now offering a vast library of thousands of open source applications. F-Droid prioritizes user autonomy without tracking behavior for ads. It features extensive categories for specialized needs and improved search functionality that returns results based on app names and descriptions. Installation has been streamlined using Google’s pre-approval API, allowing users to confirm installations through a simplified pop-up, improving the user experience despite requiring one additional click compared to the Play Store.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Google Play enhances search with new ‘Where to watch’ streaming feature

Google Play is introducing a feature that allows users to find where to watch movies and TV shows by searching for a title in the Search tab. This feature presents a "Where to watch" card that lists various apps where the content is available for streaming, renting, or purchasing. It includes install prompts for apps not already on the user's device but does not provide rental prices, purchase costs, subscription fees, IMDb ratings, or direct YouTube links. The feature is currently rolling out and may not be immediately available to all users.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Struggling to find the right app for the job? Google Play’s new tool has some ideas for you

The Google Play Store is rolling out an AI-powered app explorer to select users in the United States, utilizing Google's Gemini technology. This feature appears at the top of the search tab with a prompt for users to specify what they are looking for and provides tailored categories for app discovery. Upon selecting a category, users are directed to a search results page that includes an “Organized with AI” section, showcasing curated lists of related apps. The feature was first reported by a Telegram user and has been confirmed on various US devices, indicating its rollout is underway.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Google Play Store gets colorful search tab with Material 3 Expressive

The Google Play Store is updating to version 46.5.19, incorporating the Material 3 Expressive design language, which includes a new color palette for category icons in the search tab and improved clarity in sections like Explore apps and Explore games. This update is part of a broader initiative that also affects other Google applications, such as Gmail, which will feature a new look with accent colors in the search bar, bottom navigation bar, and compose button. The compose button will have a more prominent font and updated icon, contributing to a modern card-style layout in Gmail.

AppWizard

October 3, 2024

Google Play Store makes searching for apps harder on tablets

The Google Play Store for Android tablets has removed the search bar from its main screen and introduced a new Search tab for locating apps. This change requires an additional click for navigation compared to the previous setup. Users can double-tap the Search tab icon to quickly access the section and prompt the keyboard for faster searches. The new Search tab offers personalized suggestions, app collections, and sponsored content, but Google has not replaced the retired search bar with a smaller button for easier access.