teacher Archives

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

Google bolsters Android security for app developers and users

Google has announced a suite of improvements to enhance security within the Android ecosystem and the Google Play Store. Key advancements include: - Enhanced tools to protect businesses from scams and fraud. - Pre-review checks to identify policy and compatibility issues early in app development. - Transparent information on Google Play to build consumer trust. - Strengthened threat-detection capabilities using AI to combat malicious activities. Developers will receive earlier notifications about relevant policies within Android Studio, and the policy experience has been revamped for clearer updates and more time for changes. The Google Play Developer Help Community is expanding to facilitate knowledge sharing among developers. The Play Integrity API is being utilized for over 500 million daily checks to prevent fraud and abuse, with apps using these features seeing an 80% reduction in usage from unverified sources. Improvements for devices running Android 13 include enhanced security signals and automatic updates for developers. New badges for app categories, including a "Verified" badge for VPN apps, are being introduced to validate secure applications. Google is also focusing on creating a safe online experience for children and developing tools like the Credential Manager API for Digital IDs. Last year, investments in security measures prevented 2.36 million policy-violating apps from being published. Google Play Protect is evolving to counter new threats, and the company is collaborating with industry leaders to establish security standards through the App Defense Alliance.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

This Play Store tweak could offer a new way to highlight quality apps (APK teardown)

Google is working on an update for the Play Store app listings to enhance user experience by emphasizing essential metadata, such as app ratings and awarded badges, which influence users' decisions. An APK teardown of version 45.3.21-31 indicates a revised interface that showcases ratings and badges more prominently with contrasting backgrounds and colors. Currently, app listings include basic information like a synopsis, categories, and ratings, along with credibility-enhancing badges. The updates are still in development and not yet public, aiming to improve the user interface and app discovery experience.

AppWizard

March 15, 2025

Pentagon Schools Instruct Use of Minecraft to Promote DEI Trojan Horse

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is using Minecraft to enhance social-emotional learning (SEL) among middle school students, focusing on skills like collaboration, communication, empathy, and problem-solving. The initiative has faced criticism for its connections to broader educational frameworks, including critical race theory (CRT). DoDEA serves over 67,000 military-connected students across 161 schools in various locations. The program has been rebranded as “resilience” initiatives, aligning with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's commitment to comply with executive orders prohibiting certain educational content related to DEI and CRT. Prior to these orders, Pentagon schools faced scrutiny for including controversial books in their libraries.

BetaBeacon

March 5, 2025

Suikoden STAR LEAP announced for iOS, Android

Publisher Konami and developer MYTHRIL have announced Suikoden STAR LEAP for iOS and Android. It will be free-to-play with in-game microtransactions.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

N.J. teacher accused of uploading child pornography posed as a teen in chat app, officials say

Matthew Serwedes, a 48-year-old former technology educator from Union County, has been charged with second-degree distribution and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. He allegedly posed as a teenager on an encrypted messaging platform to engage with users and had uploaded images of child exploitation. The investigation began with a tip on December 5, 2024, leading authorities to trace videos of sexual abuse to Serwedes' IP address. During a search of his home, electronic devices were confiscated, and he admitted to owning the account used for the activities. Serwedes was placed on administrative leave from his teaching position, and the school district stated there is no evidence of student involvement. He remains in custody awaiting a detention hearing and plans to plead not guilty. Additionally, he wrote a six-page apology letter to the victims and their families.

AppWizard

February 6, 2025

Steam drops 4 free games you can download and keep with 0 subscriptions

Steam has released a new selection of free games for download, available starting February 5. The titles include: 1. Mystical Mushrooms: An interactive-fiction RPG where players control Cyne, a pink mushroom girl, navigating the world of Bhokniva to gather resources and fend off creatures. 2. Cat Rescue: A psychological thriller where players help a woman rescue her cat from a paranoid streamer, solving twisted puzzles along the way. 3. Dodgy Deliveries: A cooperative horror game where players team up to complete deliveries in a city that becomes dangerous after dark. 4. Scary Teacher 3D: A 3D puzzle-stealth game where players prank a character named Miss T while avoiding her detection through clever strategies.

AppWizard

December 11, 2024

I can finally finish Naiad two years after I played through its demo thanks to it shadow dropping during the Wholesome Snack showcase

Naiad is a minimalist adventure game that was officially released during the Wholesome Snack showcase after a demo in 2022. Players take on the role of a river guardian, protecting the ecosystem from human interference and emphasizing environmental conservation. The gameplay involves learning skills from nature, such as swimming like a duck and diving like fish, while completing quests like reuniting lost ducklings with their families. The game's art style is meticulously handcrafted, featuring a minimalist aesthetic with intricate details. Players are encouraged to reflect on their connection to nature while exploring this immersive world.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

New Minecraft game features Welsh history and language

A collaboration between the creators of Minecraft, Cadw, and Ysgol Pennant has resulted in a bilingual version of the game, which will be offered free to all schools in Wales. The project aims to engage students with Welsh history through an interactive medium, starting with Conwy Castle and expanding to 19 additional historic sites over the next 18 months. This version of Minecraft will be available entirely in Welsh for the first time. Students at Ysgol Pennant were among the first to experience the game and expressed excitement about its educational benefits, particularly for those learning Welsh.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

Students Test Minecraft World for Hour of Code

Three schools within the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) system collaborated with Minecraft Education for a month to test and refine the Hour of Code 2024 world, named The Show Must Go On. Classes from Tates Creek Elementary, Picadome Elementary, and STEAM Academy participated in this initiative, which provided insights into tech career paths. Educators and students worked with Minecraft's senior program manager, Laylah Bulman, using Zoom and Teams to play through the new Minecraft world and provide feedback. The Minecraft experience is set to launch globally on December 1, allowing students to explore computer science through interactive methods using MakeCode Block or Python. Shad Lacefield, the district's STEM learning coach, played a key role in organizing the initiative.

AppWizard

October 13, 2024

Retro PC gaming event welcomes Computer Animation and Game Development to new home

The College of Communication and Education hosted a retro PC gaming event to introduce its new Computer Animation and Game Development (CAGD) program. Dean Angela Trethewey highlighted the connection between storytelling and successful games. The event featured various gaming stations, including an emulator for classic games like “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “X-Men,” as well as laptops showcasing student-developed games. Participants played “Unreal Tournament” and “Duck Game,” with local non-profit Tech Toss contributing equipment and games. The event aimed to foster community dialogue about electronic waste while celebrating the enjoyment of retro gaming.