timeline Archives

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Android 17 is off to a rough start with new Pixel touchscreen complaints

Android 17 has caused touchscreen issues for Pixel users, including unresponsive taps, dead zones, and reversed scrolling, affecting models such as the Pixel 10, 9, 8, and 7 series. Google is aware of the problem, but initial fixes have not worked for all users. Clearing the cache of the Pixel Launcher has shown inconsistent results. Users have reported erratic touchscreen behavior, with taps being ignored and swipes misinterpreted. The issue has been documented in Google's IssueTracker and affects the entire modern Pixel lineup, occurring across different applications. Google suggested clearing the Pixel Launcher cache as a troubleshooting step, but many users found it ineffective. Some users reported success by disabling the “Smooth Display” feature, while others found toggling it off and on resolved scrolling issues. Google has not provided a timeline for a permanent fix, and users are advised to hold off on upgrading to Android 17 until a bug-fix update is released.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Google sets timeline for Android developer verification enforcement

Android's developer verification initiative will officially roll out on September 30, 2026, initially targeting users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Developers in these regions must complete the verification process by the deadline. Participating app stores, including Google Play and others, will begin verifying app installations, with a global implementation planned for 2027. The initiative aims to enhance security by linking apps to verified identities. Google is introducing new APIs to facilitate app registration, including the Android Developer ID Status API and the Android Developer Console API, which will support OAuth delegation for third-party platforms. A new system service will be installed on most Android devices to verify developer registrations later this year. The Android Developer ID Status API is set for global launch in July 2026, with early access to the Android Developer Console API. Limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists will launch globally in August 2026. Starting September 30, 2026, only apps registered by verified developers will be allowed for installation and updates on certified Android devices, although unregistered apps can still be sideloaded. Google has reported that over 99% of Play developers have completed the verification process, and developers can check their verification status in the Play Console.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Minecraft’s 26.2 update just fixed a bug that’s 14 years old

Mojang released the Minecraft 26.2 update, named Chaos Cubed, on June 16, which introduced a new Sulfur Caves biome and the Sulfur Cube mob, along with various bug fixes. A significant fix in this update resolved a 14-year-old bug, designated as "MC-4," that affected item drops at the edge of blocks on online servers. This bug was first reported on October 24, 2012, and was officially marked as resolved in the recent update after 4,983 days. Mojang's Lead Designer, Jens 'Jeb' Bergensten, had previously noted attempts to fix the issue in 2016. Another unresolved bug, known as MC-14, involves minecarts occupying the same space while maintaining momentum.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Android 17 is making Pixel widgets vanish, but Google already has a fix in the works

Users of Android 17 have reported that home screen widgets are disappearing after the latest stable update, specifically on devices with a work profile. Google is aware of the issue and is working on a fix, which may be included in the next month's security update. Currently, there is no effective workaround other than removing the work profile, which allows users to restore their widgets by restarting the device and re-adding them.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Android’s sideloading changes are getting closer as Google shares new timeline

Google is rolling out a new system service for Android devices to verify app origins from registered developers, starting this month. Verification requirements will officially begin on September 30, 2026, for users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, covering apps from major app stores like Google Play and Samsung Galaxy Store. Users can still sideload apps, but those from unregistered developers will require additional installation steps. A limited-distribution developer account will be introduced in August for hobbyists and students, allowing app sharing with up to 20 devices without ID or fees. The phased rollout will continue through 2026, with global expansion of verification requirements expected in 2027.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Google shares updated timeline for rolling out Android developer verification

Google, Honor, OPlus, Samsung, Transsion, vivo, and Xiaomi are key players in enhancing app distribution platforms. Google is introducing new APIs to simplify the registration process for developers, including the Android Developer ID Status API and the Android Developer Console API. This month, Google will implement a new system service (com.google.android.verifier) on Android 8 or later devices to restrict the installation of unverified applications, although it will remain inactive until verification is launched in specific regions. In July, new developer APIs will roll out, and testing for "limited distribution" accounts will begin, allowing hobbyists to share apps without fees or ID verification on up to 20 devices. By August, an advanced app verification flow will be globally accessible, allowing users to bypass verification through a complex process. In September, Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand will start verifying app installation status, with plans for expanded developer verification by 2027.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Less than a month before launch, survival RPG Outward 2 delayed into 2027

Nine Dots Studio announced that the release of the survival RPG, Outward 2, has been delayed from July 2026 to 2027. CEO Guillaume Boucher-Vidal expressed regret over the delay, emphasizing the importance of meeting player expectations and the role of feedback from the open beta, which began on June 7. Players reported encountering issues during the beta, and the studio is prioritizing quality over sticking to the original timeline. Boucher-Vidal acknowledged the challenges of ensuring stability for an early access title and apologized to players who planned their summer around the original release date.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

Microsoft reveals Teams can’t run well on low-RAM PCs, builds Efficiency Mode after years of bloat

Microsoft Teams is testing a new feature called "Efficiency mode," which will be available to all users by the end of June 2026. This mode aims to enhance performance on PCs with limited RAM, particularly those with 8GB RAM. Efficiency mode activates automatically when Teams detects that a device is hardware-constrained, optimizing performance by reducing video resolution and minimizing resource usage. The initial implementation includes changes such as dynamically adjusting video output and opening with a pre-selected chat. Users can opt out of Efficiency mode via the Settings menu. Microsoft is also exploring additional enhancements to improve chat access and reduce lag.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

Windows 11 update is breaking some PCs with boot and BitLocker issues

Windows 11 update KB5094126 (Build 26200.8655), released on June 9, 2026, has caused boot failures, blue screens, and BitLocker recovery prompts for users, particularly affecting business devices from HP and Dell, including models like HP EliteBook 840 G10 and Dell Precision 7530. The issues stem from changes in Secure Boot and EFI partition modifications, with insufficient EFI partition space leading to errors. A workaround involves disabling Secure Boot in BIOS. Additionally, users have reported disruptions with OneDrive and Microsoft Word integration, particularly in enterprise environments. Microsoft has not yet acknowledged these problems.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

YouTube turns into a messenger: the platform has returned the function of private messages

YouTube has reintroduced in-app private chats, allowing users to share videos, shorts, and live broadcasts without using third-party platforms. To start a chat, users must send an invitation through an external messenger, which is valid for seven days. Once accepted, users can chat one-on-one, but sharing is limited to publicly available content, and interactions are restricted to known contacts. The messaging feature is accessible via a dedicated button in the app, with notifications sent through push alerts. It is currently available only to adult users, with no support for group chats. YouTube previously discontinued its chat feature in 2019 due to low engagement but has decided to bring it back after positive testing results. The new messaging system is currently limited to users in the US, UK, Brazil, and Singapore, with no timeline for availability in Ukraine or other regions.