tech Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Google backs down after locking out Nextcloud Files app

Google has reinstated the permissions previously revoked from Nextcloud's Files app for Android, allowing the app to restore its full file syncing capabilities. Andy Schertzinger, Director of Engineering at Nextcloud, confirmed this decision, which follows a period of challenges after Google revoked the app's "All files access" permission in late 2024. This permission is crucial for file synchronization applications. Nextcloud had faced difficulties in the Play Store due to this revocation, and despite attempts to communicate with Google, there was no response until the recent restoration of permissions.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

News Weekly: Android Show’s I/O edition, Google teases smart glasses, Nothing Phone 3 is on the way, and more

Google I/O is set to begin on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, with live updates from Android Central. Google has revealed advancements including Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and enhanced safety tools. Gemini will integrate across the Android ecosystem for a hands-free AI experience. Material 3 Expressive will enhance the user interface in Android 16, focusing on five design components. Wear OS 6 will receive a visual refresh. New warning systems in Android's caller and Google Messages will combat fraud, while the Find My Device feature will evolve into Find Hub with improved tracking capabilities. Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand Max back to HBO Max this summer, marking the second rebranding in three years. Nothing's Phone 3 is set to launch this summer, priced around £800. Samsung introduced a limited-edition Galaxy Ring in South Korea, featuring a new colorway.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Google to give app devs access to Gemini Nano for on-device AI

Google is preparing to unveil new mobile AI tools at the upcoming I/O event, including a suite of APIs that will enable developers to use Gemini Nano for on-device AI applications. The ML Kit SDK will be updated to support on-device generative AI functionalities through Gemini Nano, which integrates with existing models and offers predefined features for ease of implementation. The ML Kit’s GenAI APIs will allow applications to perform tasks such as summarization, proofreading, rewriting, and image description without cloud data transmission. However, Gemini Nano's capabilities are limited compared to cloud-based options, with summaries restricted to three bullet points and image descriptions available only in English. The standard version, Gemini Nano XS, requires about 100MB of storage, while the smaller Gemini Nano XXS is text-only and occupies a quarter of that size. ML Kit is compatible with devices beyond Google's Pixel lineup, including the OnePlus 13, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Xiaomi 15, providing developers opportunities to enhance applications with generative AI features.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Bloons TD 6, Majesty Fantasy Kingdom, more

A new selection of Android game and app deals has been released, coinciding with the launch of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Significant discounts are available on Sharge’s 30W 10,000mAh Pouch Mini power bank and the Hisense 2025 frame-style 144Hz Google smart TV. The game "Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom" challenges players to manage a kingdom, facing dilemmas such as gold turning into cookies and recovering stolen goods from trolls.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

Best antivirus software for Windows 2025, tried and tested

Antivirus software has been a common tool for PC users over the past two decades, with many opting for third-party solutions for enhanced protection despite Windows 11's built-in features. User behavior significantly impacts computer security, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unknown links and not reusing passwords. Antivirus packages are designed to combat threats like ransomware, spyware, and viruses. The evaluation process for antivirus applications involved testing on a Windows 11 PC with simulated virus attacks and scanning the SSD for performance metrics. The top antivirus apps for 2025 include BitDefender Total Security (£49.99), Avira Free (free), Malwarebytes Plus (£49.99), and Sophos Home Premium (£37.46).

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Microsoft released one of its final updates for Windows 10 — and it has broken things

Microsoft is winding down support for Windows 10 this October and has released update KB5058379, which has caused unexpected BitLocker recovery prompts for some users after a restart. This issue has been confirmed by Microsoft representatives on forums, although it is not mentioned in the update's release notes. The problem predominantly affects devices from manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and the specific cause is unclear. Microsoft has provided workarounds, including disabling Secure Boot and virtualization technologies, checking Microsoft Defender System Guard Firmware Protection status, and disabling firmware protection via Group Policy or Registry Editor.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Android users lose key Nextcloud feature because Google said so, and the reason doesn’t add up

Google has restricted file upload capabilities for the Nextcloud Files Android app by revoking the "All files access" permission, which has been essential for the app since 2011. This change prevents Android users from uploading various file types to their Nextcloud accounts. Nextcloud has expressed frustration over this decision, suggesting it is a strategic move by Google to maintain dominance in the cloud storage market and favor its own applications. The alternatives proposed by Google, such as the MediaStore API or Storage Access Framework (SAF), do not meet Nextcloud's functionality needs. Nextcloud draws parallels to past corporate tactics that limited competition and highlights ongoing concerns regarding fair competition and regulatory responses.

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Microsoft just fixed a 9-month-old Windows bug, which is why it’s the perfect time to try Linux

Microsoft has fixed a long-standing bug in Windows 11 that affected dual-booting with Linux, which had persisted since August 2024. The issue arose from a Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) setting introduced in a Windows 11 update, which inadvertently disrupted dual-boot configurations by incorrectly applying the SBAT value on certain devices. As of May 2, with the release of Windows 11 version 24H2, users can now successfully dual-boot between Windows 11 and other operating systems, including Linux.

BetaBeacon

May 15, 2025

Explore the Top 10 Mobile Games of 2025

The top popular mobile games of 2025 include Block Blast, Roblox, Free Fire x Naruto Shippuden, Ludo King, Pokémon Go, Candy Crush Saga, Mini Games: Calm & Relax, Balatro, Last War: Survival, and Call of Duty Mobile.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft Surface PCs with Arm-based AMD chip could arrive in 2026

Microsoft is set to introduce a new line of Surface PCs in 2026 featuring AMD's Arm-based chip, codenamed Sound Wave. The Sound Wave chip is expected to be an APU with six CPU cores (two for performance and four for efficiency) and an integrated GPU with four compute units based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, designed for a thermal envelope of 5-10W. This suggests a strategy for low-powered Surface PCs, potentially refreshing the Surface Go or Surface Hub models. This will be the first time since the Surface Laptop 4 that Microsoft incorporates an AMD processor into its Surface lineup. Recently, Microsoft launched new models, including a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop, powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, which may outperform the upcoming AMD Sound Wave chip.