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First look: The Play Store could give paid games the overhauled UI they deserve
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

First look: The Play Store could give paid games the overhauled UI they deserve

Google is enhancing the user experience on its Play Store by developing a new user interface (UI) for paid games, differentiating them from free games. The updated UI in version 53.0 includes a prominent banner image for each paid game, along with essential details like reviews, ratings, age ratings, and device compatibility. A new feature called "Ask Play" has been introduced, providing a scrollable strip of contextual question chips for user interaction. The new design has been successfully tested but lacks some information, such as download size and count. The timeline for the public rollout is uncertain, and while the changes are not drastic, they aim to make paid games more appealing. An APK teardown indicates potential future features, but there is no guarantee they will be included in the final release.
Samsung is shutting down two apps it used to brag about
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down two apps it used to brag about

Samsung will discontinue its augmented reality applications, AR Doodle and Quick Measure, on December 31, 2026. After this date, users will no longer be able to download these apps, which are already unsupported on certain devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The applications will not be supported in future versions of Samsung's One UI, starting with the anticipated stable release of One UI 9. Users can still download and use the apps until the end of the year, but their functionality may be limited due to the lack of future support.
Google Play Store will soon let you manage your downloads, and here's a working demo
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

Google Play Store will soon let you manage your downloads, and here’s a working demo

Google is introducing a pause and resume feature for app downloads on its Play Store, allowing users to halt downloads and resume them later. This feature is designed to enhance user experience by providing flexibility in managing downloads and data usage. It has been successfully activated in the latest version of the Play Store (v53.0) on test devices, indicating readiness for a broader rollout. Users will find paused downloads listed in a built-in download manager, simplifying the process. The feature aims to make installations more manageable, especially for those mindful of their data plans.
Now 20-year-old PlayStation 3 games can be launched on PC from disc
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

Now 20-year-old PlayStation 3 games can be launched on PC from disc

The RPCS3 emulator now allows PC players to launch PS3 games directly from a compatible disc drive. This feature was developed by digant73 and Megamouse and has expanded support from Windows to include Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. The installation process for packages from the disc drive has been optimized, and a list of compatible disc drives has been published.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 upgrade for faster boot and 8GB RAM PCs, but shares no numbers
Winsage
September 7, 2026

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 upgrade for faster boot and 8GB RAM PCs, but shares no numbers

Microsoft announced at the IFA 2026 conference that Windows 11 will boot faster and improve performance on PCs with 8GB of RAM. The upcoming major update will enhance features like Windows Hello and include a movable taskbar, a resizable Start menu, and the option to remove Bing from Windows Search. The September 2026 Patch Tuesday update is expected to roll out these improvements. Mark Linton, Corporate Vice President of Windows & Devices at Microsoft, emphasized the company's goal of optimizing Windows 11 for 8GB RAM PCs due to rising memory costs. While 16GB of RAM has been historically recommended for optimal performance, Microsoft's focus on improving efficiency for 8GB systems aims to make technology more accessible.
Here’s what we know about Blink, Russia’s Gen Z location-sharing app that publicly attacks VK’s Max messenger but sends user data to the tech giant
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

Here’s what we know about Blink, Russia’s Gen Z location-sharing app that publicly attacks VK’s Max messenger but sends user data to the tech giant

Recent investigations have revealed that the Russian messaging application Blink sends user data directly to VK servers, despite publicly opposing VK. The app continuously tracks users' movements and transmits location data to MyTracker, an analytics system owned by VK, every few seconds. Additionally, Blink's main feature, Blink Maps, is hosted on VK's servers. Eight senior Blink employees and a former CEO have connections to VK, either having transitioned from VK to Blink or still maintaining roles at VK.
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