YouTube's app for Android has begun automatically replaying paused videos when the app is reopened after several hours of inactivity, leading to frustration among users. Reports indicate that this issue affects both paying and non-paying users, with over 3,000 users expressing their concerns on YouTube's support pages. The problem has been noted for several months, with initial reports dating back to March. Some users have found temporary relief by uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This behavior has raised questions about whether it is an intended feature rather than a glitch.
NFC technology enhances daily life by allowing users to automate tasks through NFC tags. These tags are inexpensive, with a pack of ten costing around , and in the U.S., fifty tags can be purchased for just under . Users can create routines on Samsung phones by accessing Settings, selecting Modes and Routines, and scanning NFC tags to trigger automated actions.
Practical routines include:
- Morning Routine: Scanning an NFC tag turns off an alarm, adjusts phone settings, opens Google Calendar and Google Keep, and allows for news updates.
- Work-from-Home Routine: Optimizes phone settings for productivity, including keeping the phone unlocked and using the Pomodoro technique with the Tomato app.
- Pre-Outdoor Exercise Routine: Activates location services, adjusts Bluetooth settings, opens a podcast app, and reminds users to take essential items.
- Android Auto Routine: Simplifies the connection process between the phone and Android Auto using two NFC tags for connecting and disconnecting.
- Cooking Routine: Launches Samsung Food and Google Clock to set timers while cooking.
- Bedtime Routine: Launches a white noise app, prompts a review of notes, and adjusts settings for better sleep.
These routines illustrate the versatility of NFC tags in streamlining daily activities.
Notesnook is a free, open-source note-taking app that offers end-to-end encryption and syncs across devices, featuring a text editor, support for attachments, and organizational tools. Obsidian serves as a personal knowledge base with customizable plugins, Graph View, and Advanced Tables for structured note-taking. TickTick is a to-do app with essential features in its free version, including task lists, subtasks, reminders, and Smart Recognition for creating tasks using natural language. Trello is a project management tool with a Kanban-style interface, allowing users to manage multiple projects with custom fields and subtasks. Toggl Track is a time management app that logs hours spent on tasks and provides insights into productivity through a calendar view. Airtable is a database app with a spreadsheet-like interface for organizing information, customizable for various purposes. Raindrop.io is a bookmark manager that allows users to save articles, images, and videos, with tagging and search features for easy retrieval. MacroDroid is an automation tool for Android that enables users to create macros for repetitive tasks, improving efficiency.
People reach outside the Play Store to download APKs for emulators, early builds of apps, region-locked releases, modded versions of apps, and apps like betting and casino apps that are restricted by Google's store policies. Google has found that there is over 50 times more malware coming from internet-sideloaded sources than from apps on Google Play. Starting in September 2026, Google will require every developer to verify their identity for apps installed on certified Android devices, including sideloaded apps. To sideload without getting burned, users should pull APKs from reputable sources, match permissions to the job, keep Play Protect switched on, and revoke the "install unknown apps" permission after installation.
Fanatical has launched its Summer Sale featuring discounts on various PC games, including Resident Evil Requiem, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Pragmata. The sale includes countdown timers for each deal, with discounts on Resident Evil Requiem expiring in over nine days and DOOM: The Dark Ages available for 13 days. Resident Evil Requiem is priced at .99, while the Premium Edition of DOOM: The Dark Ages has a 71% discount. Alien: Isolation is available at a 73% discount, priced at .99. The sale encourages quick action due to limited time offers.
In the game Big Walk, players must collaborate to solve puzzles on an island. One notable puzzle, discovered six hours into the game, involves a timer counting down from 05:00 after players press buttons simultaneously, sealing the door. Instead of solving the puzzle through action, players must wait for the timer to expire. During this time, they engage in casual conversation and reflections on their situation, ultimately realizing that patience is the key to their escape. When the timer reaches 00:00, the door opens, revealing the prize.
The Google Clock app has introduced Live Updates for its stopwatch and timer features with the launch of version 9.0. This update allows users to see a real-time countdown in the status bar, providing immediate access to timers and stopwatches without leaving the current screen. Users can expand the notification to control the timers. Live Updates are also available on the lock screen and always-on display (AOD), allowing users to track time-sensitive tasks without unlocking their devices. The update is available for download via the Play Store, but the Live Updates feature is being rolled out server-side, meaning some users may need to wait for access.
The stock Android Clock app version 9.0 began rolling out on July 23, 2026, primarily for Google Pixel devices. The update introduces the “Timer Starter” widget, allowing users to start a timer directly from their home screen. The widget features default time options like “10 minutes” and “5 minutes” and dynamically updates to show recently set timers.
Microsoft's Focus Mode, integrated into Windows 11, includes features like Do Not Disturb and Focus Sessions, which help users maintain concentration by silencing notifications and providing a countdown timer for focused work periods. The Focus Sessions feature is located in the Clock app and allows users to customize session durations and breaks, effectively replacing traditional productivity tools like Pomodoro timers and sticky notes. It integrates with Microsoft To Do and can automatically launch Spotify during focus sessions. The app tracks daily progress and stores data locally for privacy, deleting it every 90 days. Customization options are available for alert tones and app theming, though some settings are located in separate menus. The app operates without elevated permissions and does not include distraction-blocking features.
