Topics Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

How to make the most sense out of Google I/O

Google I/O is an upcoming event where Google will announce new innovations, including updates related to Android. Presentations may cover complex topics that can be overwhelming for some audiences, but there are resources available to help distill this information. Android Central will provide a summary of announcements, including lesser-known developments. The event primarily targets developers and shareholders, with a focus on enhancing share value. For specific developments like Android 16 for the Galaxy S25, attending Samsung's developer conference may be more beneficial.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Meta launches its new AI App for WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook , messenger users

Meta has launched the Meta AI app, powered by Llama 4, aiming to create a personalized AI experience for users globally. The app is integrated into platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, used by millions daily. It assists users with problem-solving, answering questions, and enhancing understanding of topics, and includes features like web search capabilities and conversation starters. The app also features a Discover feed for sharing and exploring AI usage, while allowing users control over their content. Accessibility is emphasized, as the app is integrated across all Meta products. Additionally, the web interface of Meta AI is receiving upgrades, including a new Discover feed and enhanced image generation capabilities for larger screens and desktop use.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Microsoft’s AI Secretly Copying All Your Private Messages

Microsoft is relaunching its AI-driven feature, Recall, which continuously captures background screenshots on Copilot+ PCs optimized for AI functionalities. Initially introduced in May, Recall was retracted due to privacy concerns over unencrypted storage of screenshots containing sensitive user data. After testing through Microsoft's Insider program, Recall has been updated to encrypt the screenshot database and requires users to opt in to save screenshots. However, it still poses risks by potentially capturing sensitive information from communications without the knowledge of other parties involved. Security researcher Kevin Beaumont has noted that the sensitive information filter is unreliable, and the encrypted database is only secured by a basic four-digit PIN. Beaumont's testing revealed that Recall indexed everything it stored, including ephemeral messages and images. He cautioned users to check if Recall is enabled when discussing sensitive topics with others on Windows PCs.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Gemini preps a ‘Saved info’ rebrand as work on chat history search continues (APK teardown)

- The Gemini name is being phased out from headers, indicating a potential rebranding effort. - The "Saved info" feature may be renamed to "Memory" to enhance its functionality in remembering user preferences. - Improvements are being made for accessing and viewing chat history to enhance user interaction and navigation. - The latest beta version, 16.16.39.sa.arm64, reveals upcoming features, although they are not yet visible to the public. - The removal of the Gemini label from model headers is a prominent change, accompanied by a new blue background effect and a reorganization of model names and descriptions. - A search tool for chat history is being introduced, with various layouts being tested, including one that prioritizes Gems at the top. - Enhancements to the compose box are planned, potentially offering suggestions for research topics and Canvas projects.

AppWizard

April 28, 2025

Google is giving us a look at what’s next for Android ahead of I/O

The Android Show will air a special I/O edition on May 13 at 1 p.m. ET, hosted by Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem, and featuring members of the Android team. This episode will provide an early look at innovations leading up to the Google I/O event, including details about Android 16. The show will be pre-recorded and streamed live on YouTube. Google has also released a schedule for the Google I/O event, which will cover topics such as Android's new UX design, Material 3 Expressive, and Gemini in Chrome and Android XR.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

‘Andor,’ ‘You,’ ‘Havoc,’ ‘Babygirl,’ and the best to stream this weekend — plus ‘A Minecraft Movie’ surprise

Andor, the prequel to Rogue One, returns for its second and final season, featuring Diego Luna as Cassian Andor. The 12-episode season will be released in three-episode segments over four weeks. Étoile, a series by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino, follows two ballet companies struggling financially and is streaming on Prime Video. The Netflix series You returns for its fifth season, with all 10 episodes available for streaming. Brett Goldstein's stand-up special, The Second Best Night of Your Life, airs Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. A24’s film Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman, is now streaming on Max. Other films available include Havoc on Netflix, Freaky Tales on VOD, Ash on VOD, and Azrael on Hulu. Tombstone, originally released in 1993, has a new 4K Ultra HD version available digitally. A book titled A Minecraft Movie: From Block to Big Screen chronicles the making of the Minecraft movie, available at Amazon and other booksellers.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Fallout creator laments the loss of the game’s earliest development materials: ‘I had that in digital form and was ordered to destroy it’

Tim Cain, the creator of the original Fallout, shared insights on his YouTube channel about his career and the game's origins, including the purposes of the Vaults and the game's setting in 2161. He recounted a past incident with publisher Interplay, where he was compelled to destroy a collection of early Fallout materials, including design notes and game builds, to avoid legal conflict. Cain highlighted the industry's failure in game preservation, noting that when he left Fallout, he was instructed to destroy his entire archive. A study indicated that about 87% of all games created are now unplayable without piracy or archival visits, underscoring the challenges in preserving both games and development materials.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Entertainment Marketing Summit to Gather Major Industry Leaders, Lessons Learned From ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and ‘Longlegs’

Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit will be held on April 24 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, sponsored by Deloitte. The event will feature in-person panels discussing topics such as impact marketing, the gaming economy, artificial intelligence, and sports fandom, with speakers including Issa Rae and Nicholas Sparks. Cameron Curtis from Warner Bros will present on leveraging social media content creators for marketing, while Christian Parkes from Neon aims to learn about innovative strategies from major studios. This is the eighth year Deloitte has sponsored the summit, emphasizing the importance of research and industry discussions. China Widener from Deloitte highlights the growing influence of Gen Z consumers. Warner Bros is focusing on enhancing its social media presence for upcoming films. Parkes expresses a desire for studios to present more unique and engaging marketing strategies.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

My 5 favorite AI apps on Android right now – and how I use them

AI has integrated into daily life, especially for Android users due to Google's embedding of AI capabilities in the operating system. Key AI apps for Android include: 1. Google Gemini: The default AI app that enhances user experience without installation. It features Gemini Live for complex queries and can be used as a handy assistant. 2. Perplexity: An AI-driven query app with an intuitive interface for news summaries and organizing queries. It is free and serves as a default search engine for some users. 3. DeepSeek: An AI development firm from China offering two apps on Google Play: Deep Think (AI chatbot) and DeepSeek (AI assistant), which handles deep queries and basic searches. It is free but requires account registration. 4. Microsoft Copilot: A versatile AI tool for standard queries, drafting, and image creation. It summarizes news and requires a Microsoft account for access. 5. Opera's Aria: An AI tool integrated into the Opera browser, offering standard query capabilities and voice-to-text functionality. It requires installation but is free to use without a subscription.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

‘Trust continues to be tampered with’: A thread about SBMM in the upcoming Battlefield game is the final straw as an EA community manager lets loose on leakers

Electronic Arts (EA) has launched a community testing program called Battlefield Labs for the upcoming Battlefield game, allowing players to test potential features and collaborate on development. However, participants have leaked gameplay footage, causing frustration for EA. A controversial topic among players is the rumored introduction of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), which many believe could negatively impact gameplay enjoyment. David Sirland, the lead producer, reassured the community that the testing phase is temporary. Community manager T0TALfps emphasized that not all features tested will make it to the final game and warned against sharing out-of-context information, which could damage trust. The next Battlefield game is set in a modern-day environment and will return to traditional classes and focused maps. T0TALfps urged players to be patient and supportive during the development process, stating that official information will only be shared when EA is ready.