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Valve open-sources Lepton, its Android compatibility layer for the Steam Frame
AppWizard
September 19, 2026

Valve open-sources Lepton, its Android compatibility layer for the Steam Frame

Valve has open-sourced Lepton, an Android compatibility layer for the Steam Frame headset, allowing VR developers to adapt existing Android games for the device. The code is available on Valve's GitLab repository and facilitates the transition without needing to reconstruct games for a different platform. Lepton is designed to create a game-optimized Android environment rather than transforming the Steam Frame into a general Android device. It disables unnecessary Android services to maintain efficiency and integrates with the SteamOS host system, supporting various graphics stacks and Vulkan tools for enhanced VR gaming. Lepton operates without requiring root access, with each process running as a non-root user, and provides developers with tools for debugging and performance profiling. The open-sourced code offers insight into Valve's approach to supporting Android games on SteamOS.
Samsung's Gallery App is Getting New Google Photos Sync Feature
AppWizard
September 19, 2026

Samsung’s Gallery App is Getting New Google Photos Sync Feature

Samsung is replacing the OneDrive integration in its Gallery Android app with Google Photos, following Microsoft's announcement that OneDrive photo backup will cease after September 30, 2026. The new cloud sync feature with Google Photos is being rolled out to select Galaxy users, who must update their Gallery Cloud Sync, Samsung Cloud, and Samsung Gallery apps. The integration does not support supervised personal Google accounts or Google Workspace accounts. Users can back up their camera roll, specific albums, and local device folders to Google Photos, but edited photos will appear as separate items, and some Google Photos features will not be accessible for synced photos. Samsung's Gallery app will continue to operate alongside Google Photos, and the company is developing its own web browser for Android and Windows.
Revealed: How Russia use mobile ‘super-app’ Max to spy on its citizens
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

Revealed: How Russia use mobile ‘super-app’ Max to spy on its citizens

A new messaging and payment app called Max has emerged in Russia, developed by VKontakte, and has become the country's most utilized messaging platform. Max integrates various services, including banking and government services, and has been adopted by tens of millions of Russians. It features extensive surveillance capabilities, allowing it to take screenshots, access information without consent, impersonate users, and potentially conduct cyberattacks. The app's adoption has been largely mandatory, particularly among state employees and students. Despite its rise, Max has not replaced Telegram as a primary news source, and users have raised concerns about privacy and surveillance. Experts warn that Russia's swift implementation of digital control strategies reflects a growing trend of digital authoritarianism.
Notebooks in Gemini arrive for Google Workspace and Education accounts
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

Notebooks in Gemini arrive for Google Workspace and Education accounts

Google has rolled out the "Notebooks in Gemini" feature to business and education accounts in Google Workspace, following its integration for regular users that began in April. The feature, previously known as NotebookLM, is now part of the main Gemini interface, allowing users to create interactive learning materials, reports, and slide decks. Workspace administrators can control access to the feature, which must be enabled at the organizational level. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) do not have access to this feature due to regional restrictions on artificial intelligence applications.
The good news is that Samsung Gallery is now getting Google Photos integration
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

The good news is that Samsung Gallery is now getting Google Photos integration

Samsung has integrated Google Photos into the Samsung Gallery app, ending its collaboration with Microsoft for OneDrive backups. The latest version of Samsung Gallery (v15.9.01.7) includes a "Sync photos and videos" option, accessible through Menu > Settings. The rollout is gradual, so not all users may see the option immediately. Users can set up automatic backups via the Google Photos app, but they cannot browse their entire Google Photos library within Samsung Gallery. This transition from OneDrive is expected to enhance user experience as more users adopt the new integration.
Android apps can now check security patches down to individual device components
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

Android apps can now check security patches down to individual device components

The new AndroidX Security State libraries, with stable releases of Security State v1.1.0 and Security State Provider v1.0.0, allow developers to evaluate the security status of individual device components. They provide three levels of security patch information: Device Security Patch Level (DSPL), Published Security Patch Level (PSPL), and Available Security Patch Level (ASPL). These libraries enable checks on critical components of the Android operating system, including system modules and the Linux kernel, which are represented by version numbers rather than monthly patch dates. Applications that prioritize security can utilize this detailed patch information to assess vulnerabilities, particularly those tracked as Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). The libraries also integrate with the Open Source Vulnerabilities (OSV) database for access to Android Security Bulletin data and device-specific vulnerability reports. Additionally, Android 17 allows manufacturers to declare individual security fixes beyond the stated security patch level, and Google is working with manufacturers to transition their OTA update clients to this new standardized system.
New Google Maps Feature on Android Auto: Gemini-Powered Destination Information
AppWizard
September 18, 2026

New Google Maps Feature on Android Auto: Gemini-Powered Destination Information

Gemini has launched on Android Auto, but user feedback has been largely negative. Google is working on improvements, including a new destination card in Google Maps that will utilize Gemini's AI to provide information about destinations, such as reviews, essential details, practical tips, and visuals. The user interface is still being optimized, and there is no guarantee that the feature will be finalized for public release. Users have reported issues with Gemini, including problems with making calls and sending texts, distractions from excessive chatter, and app crashes. The latest updates were noted in Android Auto version 17.8, which is still in development.
Hideo Kojima announces Bill Skarsgård will star in stealth-action Physint, legendary designer Yoji Shinkawa also confirmed for character design
AppWizard
September 17, 2026

Hideo Kojima announces Bill Skarsgård will star in stealth-action Physint, legendary designer Yoji Shinkawa also confirmed for character design

Hideo Kojima announced that Bill Skarsgård will star as the lead in his stealth-action game, Physint, which has transitioned from PlayStation to Xbox. The cast includes Charlee Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hambe. Kojima shared a new poster featuring Skarsgård and Fraser with the tagline, "The Next Cold War Begins." Yoji Shinkawa is part of the production team. Initially, there was speculation about Robert Pattinson being cast. Concerns exist regarding the game's development due to the shift to Xbox, which may affect the release timeline. Kojima is also working on another project titled O.D. under Xbox.
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