tracking Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Why were Motorola phones hijacking the Amazon app? Here’s what the company says.

Motorola phones experienced an issue where launching the Amazon shopping app caused a browser window to briefly open with a dubious URL before redirecting to an Amazon affiliate link. This behavior was linked to the preloaded Smart Feed app, which was sending requests to devicenative.com, associated with Motorola’s advertising. Motorola confirmed that this behavior was unintended and has since corrected the routing configuration, ensuring that apps now launch directly as intended. The company emphasized its commitment to user experience, privacy, and platform integrity.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Google Health is already ironing out some of its biggest problems

Google Health has announced upcoming enhancements for its rebranded app, focusing on workout tracking, sleep metrics, and connectivity with Fitbit Air. Improvements will include fixes for sleep scores, customization options for Health dashboards, enhancements to automatic workout detection, and a new 24-hour sleep view. The app allows users to delete logs via the Ask Coach feature and aims to correct misclassified workouts. The timeline for these updates is not confirmed, but they are expected to be implemented soon following user feedback after the app's launch.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Google reveals massive list of fixes and new features coming to the Google Health app

Google has announced a series of updates and bug fixes for the Google Health app, focusing on enhancements in exercise tracking, nutrition, daily activity, sleep, and the Google Health Coach features. Key updates include: - Exercise Tracking: - Fixes for misclassified runs, introduction of run splits, improved map loading times, and addressing incomplete TCX exports. - Enhancements to app responsiveness during live tracking and better exercise detection. - Nutrition and Calorie Tracking: - Bug fixes to prevent log duplication, ensure accurate meal types, and correct calorie reporting for Pixel Watch users. - Improvements include custom food logging, enhanced goal-setting, and detailed food log views. - Daily Activity: - Addition of charts for hourly step goals. - Sleep: - Fixes for missing Sleep Scores and improvements like a 24-hour total sleep view and better visibility for sleep metrics. - Google Health Coach: - Refinements for clarity in messages, incorporation of visual elements, and enhanced user preference memory. - Fitness Plans: - Revisions based on user feedback and improvements in coach-generated workouts. - Metric Views: - Fixes for data consistency and easier customization of dashboards. - Data Sharing: - Fixes for app crashes and improvements for sharing data with Apple Health and medical records. - Account Migration and Support: - Enhanced processes for managing child accounts. These updates are set to roll out over the coming weeks and months.

Tech Optimizer

May 26, 2026

What the Tech: Anti-Virus Software for Smartphone

A new suite of tools has been introduced to enhance user engagement through social sharing, allowing businesses to easily integrate share buttons into their websites. Key features include customizable designs, multi-platform integration, and built-in analytics tracking. These tools aim to simplify the sharing process, foster greater interaction with target demographics, and provide insights into user engagement to help refine marketing strategies.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Over 200 Fake Android Apps Are Quietly Stealing Money From Phone Bills

Zimperium identified a sophisticated malware campaign that exploited nearly 250 Android applications, posing as popular games and social media platforms. The malware ensnared users into premium subscription services without consent, using techniques like JavaScript injection and interception of one-time passwords. The campaign primarily targeted users in Malaysia, Romania, Thailand, and Croatia, with the malware capable of reading SIM cards and activating for specific mobile carriers. Zimperium first detected the scam in March 2025 and monitored it until at least January 2026. Google stated that none of the compromised applications were available on its app store and emphasized that Android users are protected by Google Play Protect. The hackers deployed three malware variants, with the first using an automated subscription engine, the second targeting users in Thailand with premium SMS messages, and the third combining SMS fraud with real-time notifications to attackers via Telegram. The campaign primarily affected Malaysian SIM card users, with significant activity also in Thailand and Romania. Despite the campaign's last known activity in January, parts of its infrastructure remain operational. The attacks highlight vulnerabilities in application security and the challenges of policing app downloads from third-party marketplaces.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Star Citizen reaches $1 billion in lifetime funding, 14 years after the project was first announced — game still in early access with no release window, including ‘Squadron 42’ campaign

Star Citizen was launched as a crowdfunding campaign on October 10, 2012, and has since surpassed billion in total funding, though a definitive release date is not yet available. The game is currently in an alpha state, with ongoing updates and numerous bugs. Over 1,000 employees are involved in its development, which has spanned three console generations. Chris Roberts has suggested a potential release window of 2027-2028, depending on the launch of Squadron 42, which is targeting a release in 2026. The game has transitioned from CryEngine to a proprietary engine, StarEngine, and features like Persistent Entity Streaming and Server Meshing have been introduced. Star Citizen is the most expensive crowdfunded game ever, and it has been covered by Tom's Hardware since late 2012.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Top 11 Most Anticipated Upcoming PC Games in 2026 You Should Keep on Your Radar

In 2026, PC gamers can expect a diverse lineup of highly anticipated titles across various genres, including action RPGs, strategic games, and open-world adventures. Notable upcoming games include: 1. "Light No Fire" - A large-scale exploration title with ambitious world design. 2. "Phantom Blade Zero" - An action game known for fast-paced combat and stylish visuals. 3. "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis" - A continuation of the franchise focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving. 4. "007 First Light" - A cinematic spy adventure blending action with storytelling. 5. "Atomic Heart 2" - A sequel expanding on its surreal setting and action gameplay. 6. "Onimusha: Way of the Sword" - A revival of a classic series focusing on sword-based combat. 7. "Fable" - A fantasy RPG known for humor and choice-driven gameplay. 8. "Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000" - A strategy title combining large-scale warfare with sci-fi lore. 9. "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2" - A fast-paced sequel with retro-style shooting gameplay. 10. "Kingmakers" - A unique concept mixing modern weaponry with historical battlefields. 11. "Tides of Annihilation" - A fantasy action title with a focus on cinematic combat in a dark fantasy world. The variety of these anticipated titles ensures that players will have experiences tailored to their preferences, whether they enjoy story-driven adventures or strategic battles. Players can track upcoming releases by focusing on preferred genres, following official trailers, and utilizing release calendars and wishlists.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

I’ve used the new Google Health app for a week, and I hate it

User feedback on the new Google Health app revealed mixed sentiments: 28% praised it as "gorgeous and so useful," 26% found it visually appealing but cumbersome, 10% appreciated its functionality but disliked the aesthetic, 20% expressed indifference, and 16% had not transitioned from Fitbit. The app's design features lengthy text explanations from the Google Health Coach that overshadow vital statistics, diminishing usability. The Fitness and Sleep tabs also exhibit design flaws, with excessive scrolling and text before essential metrics. Users cannot easily move tiles or customize the home screen, limiting visibility for health data. Suggested improvements include presenting metrics and graphs upfront, allowing tile customization, resizing the home screen tile section, prioritizing workouts in the Fitness tab, and displaying sleep statistics before interpretations in the Sleep tab.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Android ruined link handling years ago. Here’s how I fixed it with a free app

LinkSheet is an open-source application designed to improve link-handling on Android devices by reinstating the "Open with" dialog, allowing users to choose their preferred app for opening links. It intercepts links when set as the default browser, enabling users to select from multiple apps instead of being restricted to verified ones. LinkSheet also allows users to open links in incognito mode for privacy and control over browsing habits. Users can download LinkSheet from its GitHub repository, as it is not available on the Google Play Store. After installation, users can configure their apps to prevent them from opening verified links directly. Additional features include the Use ClearURLs option to remove tracking parameters and an Enable downloader feature for direct download links.

Tech Optimizer

May 22, 2026

Threat Protection Pro: all you need to know about IPVanish’s anti-malware tool

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have evolved into comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, offering features like ad-blockers, antivirus software, and dark web monitoring. IPVanish offers a feature called Threat Protection Pro, available with the Advanced plan, which protects against malware, ads, and trackers. It enhances online security by blocking ads and tracking scripts, quarantining suspicious downloads, and preventing access to malicious websites. All IPVanish plans include core Threat Protection, utilizing DNS filters to combat trackers and malware across various platforms. Threat Protection Pro, launched in March 2026, provides 24/7 malware and antivirus protection, even when the VPN is not active. This feature is exclusive to Advanced-tier subscribers and currently supports Windows and Mac platforms. It employs VIPRE’s antivirus engine and initiates detailed measures to identify risks at multiple levels. Users can activate Threat Protection Pro through a straightforward setup process on Windows or MacOS. IPVanish allows unlimited devices per subscription and includes DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Advanced users also have access to a Secure Browser for disposable browsing.