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Remember when Mastercard pressured Steam to remove a bunch of NSFW games? The FTC says that's not cool—sort of
AppWizard
March 30, 2026

Remember when Mastercard pressured Steam to remove a bunch of NSFW games? The FTC says that’s not cool—sort of

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has addressed concerns to the CEOs of major financial service companies, including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Stripe, regarding the potential denial of services to customers based on political or religious beliefs. The letters warn that such practices could lead to investigations and enforcement actions. This initiative follows an incident involving Valve, where Mastercard was alleged to have pressured the company into removing adult-themed games from its Steam platform, although Mastercard clarified it did not directly influence the removals. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson emphasized the importance of ensuring all law-abiding individuals can engage in commerce. The situation is further complicated by an executive order from former President Donald Trump, which raised concerns about financial institutions surveilling individuals involved in conservative activities. Ferguson urged Mastercard's CEO to prevent unlawful debanking practices by its network members. There is uncertainty regarding a proposed rule change that may not significantly alter the discretion financial institutions have in customer-related decisions. Inquiries have been made to Valve and the FTC about the implications of these letters for adult video games on the Steam platform.
Google's New Android Developer Verifier Service is Here for Your...
AppWizard
March 30, 2026

Google’s New Android Developer Verifier Service is Here for Your…

Google has begun rolling out its Android developer verification system, requiring developers who distribute apps outside the Google Play Store to register and verify their identities. This affects primarily those using alternative distribution channels. A new Android Developer Verifier app will be integrated into Google System services settings starting in April 2026 to verify app associations with registered developers. The verification checks are expected to occur during the installation of sideloaded apps, with warnings for unverified developers. The rollout timeline includes: - April 2026: Android Developer Verifier available in Google System services settings. - June 2026: Early access for limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists. - August 2026: Global launch of limited distribution accounts and advanced flow for power users. - September 30, 2026: Apps must be registered by verified developers to be installed on certified Android devices in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand; unregistered apps can still be sideloaded using ADB or the advanced flow. - 2027 and beyond: Global rollout of the requirement.
Get in: Android Auto EVs see AI battery predictions in Google Maps for stress-free plans
AppWizard
March 30, 2026

Get in: Android Auto EVs see AI battery predictions in Google Maps for stress-free plans

Google Maps is introducing a new feature for Android Auto that enhances the driving experience for electric vehicle (EV) users by providing battery predictions. This allows drivers to enter their vehicle's starting battery percentage and receive a list of charging stations along their route, along with energy consumption estimates. The feature will be available for over 350 EV models in the United States and integrates real-time traffic data and specific vehicle information for more accurate usage estimates. This initiative leverages artificial intelligence and aims to improve EV functionality within Google Maps, building on previous updates focused on locating charging stations.
YouTube is rolling out support for Android Auto, but there are quite a few catches with it — and it could be another way to get you to sign up to Premium
AppWizard
March 30, 2026

YouTube is rolling out support for Android Auto, but there are quite a few catches with it — and it could be another way to get you to sign up to Premium

YouTube has introduced support for Android Auto, allowing users to integrate the platform with their vehicle's dashboard, but with restrictions. Users can only access audio content, similar to music streaming services, as video playback is not available. Playback controls are limited; users cannot skip ahead within a video, only to the next item in the playlist. A YouTube Premium subscription is required to use this feature, with the cheapest option being the YouTube Premium Lite plan at .99/£7.99/AU.99 per month.
The HP TV app just showed up on Windows 11, and people are wondering what it even does — here’s why it exists and whether you should use it
Winsage
March 29, 2026

The HP TV app just showed up on Windows 11, and people are wondering what it even does — here’s why it exists and whether you should use it

HP has launched a new streaming service called HP TV+ for Windows 11 users. It is an ad-supported application that offers live channels, movies, and various shows in one interface, similar to Pluto TV and Tubi. The service is available through the Microsoft Store and has a rating of 4.1. While designed for Windows 11, it can also be installed on Windows 10 and ARM64 devices. Initial impressions suggest it may not become a regular part of users' routines.
New Version Information Added to Android Google Wallet App
AppWizard
March 29, 2026

New Version Information Added to Android Google Wallet App

A new feature in the Android version of Google Wallet includes an "About" section that displays both the current version of the Google Wallet app and the version number of the Google Play services app. This integration is significant as Google Play services is essential for the functionality of Google Wallet.
To BSOD or not to BSOD? Only Microsoft knows the answer
Winsage
March 28, 2026

To BSOD or not to BSOD? Only Microsoft knows the answer

At the RSAC 2026 Conference, Microsoft showcased two screens displaying the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), one resembling Windows 98 and the other Windows 8. The Windows 98 BSOD featured unusual hexadecimal values, suggesting it might not be a genuine error message. The Windows 8 screen displayed a message indicating a problem with the PC, raising questions about its authenticity. Microsoft has not clarified the intent behind these displays, which could either be a marketing strategy or a retrospective on Windows errors. The situation highlights the complexities of software reliability and user experience.
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