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I found an Android app that makes using my phone one-handed so much easier
AppWizard
June 23, 2026

I found an Android app that makes using my phone one-handed so much easier

Accessibility features in smartphones are crucial for users with vision, hearing, or mobility impairments. Quick Cursor: One-Hand Aid is an Android application designed to assist individuals with dexterity challenges by providing a virtual mouse pointer that can be controlled from a designated area on the screen. Users can adjust the pointer's height to improve reachability for tapping icons or buttons. The app is available in free and paid versions, with the Pro version costing .99 for additional features. To use Quick Cursor, users set up a trigger area on their device, which can be adjusted in size and position. The app supports both portrait and landscape orientations and offers customization options like cursor speed. Users activate the cursor by swiping from the trigger area and can easily navigate the screen. Quick Cursor enhances usability, particularly for those with mobility challenges, making it easier to operate larger smartphones with one hand.
I tested Android 17 on my Pixel 9 Pro - its app bubbles are a multitasker's dream
AppWizard
June 22, 2026

I tested Android 17 on my Pixel 9 Pro – its app bubbles are a multitasker’s dream

Android 17 has been released for Pixel devices, introducing several new features: 1. Desktop Mode allows users to connect their phones to an external monitor for a desktop-like experience with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. 2. App Bubbles enable seamless multitasking by allowing users to bubble apps for quick access from the home screen. 3. The selfie camera can be enabled during screen recordings, allowing users to narrate actions while appearing on screen. 4. The recent apps page now displays full app names and includes a drop-down menu for options like pinning, splitting the screen, taking screenshots, or clearing recent apps. 5. Early support for running GUI Linux applications is introduced, paving the way for future advancements in Linux environments on devices. 6. Enhanced HDR brightness allows users to customize the display of HDR content for a more dynamic viewing experience. The update process for Pixel 9 Pro took approximately 30 minutes, and the rollout for other Pixel devices is expected soon. Other Android users will need to wait for their respective device updates.
Sideloading Android apps is great — until you have to update them. Here's my fix
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Sideloading Android apps is great — until you have to update them. Here’s my fix

Obtainium is a free and open-source sideload manager designed to simplify the updating process for sideloaded Android applications. Users can add their sideloaded apps to Obtainium’s tracking list after a one-time setup, allowing the app to monitor these sources for updates in the background. Obtainium supports various sources, including GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, APKMirror, and Uptodown. The app checks for updates every six hours and can either download and install updates automatically or notify the user. Setting up Obtainium involves downloading the APK, adding app source URLs, and ensuring the correct source is used for each app. However, it has limitations, such as relying on HTML scraping for websites without an API and potential API rate limits for GitHub apps. Additionally, Obtainium may have read-only access to certain sites, requiring users to manually update apps in some cases.
Google Messages Just Solved The Biggest Problem With Smart Replies
AppWizard
June 20, 2026

Google Messages Just Solved The Biggest Problem With Smart Replies

Google Messages has introduced a "Tap to draft" option within its Smart Replies feature, allowing users to review and edit suggested responses before sending them. This feature is part of app version 2026052200RC00 and can be enabled by updating to the latest version and adjusting settings in the app. Smart Replies use AI to generate quick response suggestions based on user interactions, while ensuring that no message content or data is transmitted to Google, thus maintaining user privacy.
I Tried Android 17’s ‘Bubbles’ and It Makes Multitasking Way Easier?
AppWizard
June 19, 2026

I Tried Android 17’s ‘Bubbles’ and It Makes Multitasking Way Easier?

Android 17 introduces a feature called Bubbles for Pixel phones, enhancing user experience by allowing users to create floating shortcuts for frequently used applications. Bubbles can be positioned anywhere on standard smartphones and docked in the bottom right corner on foldable devices, acting as a mini launcher for quick access to apps without interrupting ongoing tasks. Users can create a bubble by long-pressing the app icon and selecting Bubble. Bubbles can be repositioned and removed easily, but not all apps support this feature. When a bubble is selected, the app appears in a smaller overlay window, allowing interaction without disrupting the current workflow. This feature improves multitasking efficiency by reducing the number of swipes and taps needed to access applications.
There's a new hidden way to customize your Pixel home screen. Here's how to find it
AppWizard
June 18, 2026

There’s a new hidden way to customize your Pixel home screen. Here’s how to find it

The latest update for Google Pixel phones, Android 17, introduces a feature that allows users to hide app names on their home screens, enhancing customization options. To use this feature, devices must be updated to Android 17, which began rolling out on June 16. Users can check for updates through the Settings app. To hide app names, users need to press and hold on a blank area of the home screen, navigate to Wallpaper & style, tap Icons, toggle off Show app names, and apply the changes. App names will still be visible in the app drawer, and users can easily revert to displaying app names if desired.
Google Might Have Finally Fixed Android Auto's Worst Connection Issue
AppWizard
June 17, 2026

Google Might Have Finally Fixed Android Auto’s Worst Connection Issue

Issues with Android Auto related to device connections have been prevalent, particularly for Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Google Pixel devices, due to software glitches. Google released Play Services version v26.15 in April to address these problems, but it did not fully resolve them. The latest update, Google Play Services v26.22, began rolling out on June 8 and includes bug fixes for device connection issues. The changelog notes '[Auto] Bug fixes for Device Connections related services.' Users can check for this version in the Settings app under Google > All services > System Services. Version 26.23, which is also rolling out, includes performance enhancements and bug fixes for system management and diagnostics. Additionally, Android Auto has undergone a significant update in 2026, introducing support for Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader and four new features, including expanded widget support.
Pixel phones just got the biggest multitasking upgrade in years — here's how to use it
AppWizard
June 17, 2026

Pixel phones just got the biggest multitasking upgrade in years — here’s how to use it

The app bubbles feature in Android 17 is now available to all users, enhancing multitasking on devices like the Google Pixel 10a. Users can create app bubbles by long-pressing an app in the app drawer and selecting the Bubble option, allowing for up to five app bubbles at a time. This feature helps users manage multiple tasks more efficiently, as it allows for quick access to frequently used apps such as Slack, Gmail, YouTube, and Instagram. The setup can be customized based on personal usage habits, making it easy to integrate into daily routines.
Google releases Android 17 update with foldable improvements, app bubbles, and more
AppWizard
June 17, 2026

Google releases Android 17 update with foldable improvements, app bubbles, and more

Google has released the stable version of Android 17 for all supported Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. Key features include: - App Bubbles for multitasking, allowing users to launch apps in floating windows. - Enhanced Picture-in-Picture mode for full interactivity in desktop environments. - Encouragement for developers to optimize apps for various screen orientations and sizes. - Implementation of app memory limits to improve performance and battery life. - A 50:50 split-screen mode for gaming on foldable phones and native controller remapping. - The Continue On feature for seamless task transitions between devices. - Improved privacy features, including temporary access to location data and a Mark As Lost feature. - Support for Eclipsa Video HDR format and enhanced audio quality through the Extended HE-AAC encoder. - Introduction of the RAW14 image format for better camera capabilities. - Enhanced support for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, particularly for hearing aids.
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