user engagement Archives

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

16 advanced Android messaging features you’ve probably never noticed

Android users can now locate and optionally restore deleted messages in the Google Messages app. Users can personalize notification icons with their faces and create unique sounds for each conversation using the Priority conversation setting. The app includes a snooze option to temporarily silence notifications and allows users to customize conversation themes. Google Messages profiles are now more accessible for personalization. Videos can be expanded in-line within messages, and web links gain context with the right settings. The Gemini image editing tool enhances image sharing when functioning properly.

AppWizard

October 9, 2026

WhatsApp Spotted Testing New Contacts Tab on Android

WhatsApp is testing a dedicated Contacts tab in its Android application, currently available in the beta version. This tab is integrated into the navigation bar and allows users direct access to their contact list, featuring a green dot indicator for online users. The new section includes birthday reminders with notifications and emojis, a search bar for locating contacts by name, phone number, or username, and sorting options for organizing the contact list by activity or alphabetically. Users who have disabled their "last seen/online" status will not appear as active.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

The Google app could soon get a cleaner, more organized settings page, and here’s your first look

Google is redesigning the settings page for its Google app to improve usability and accessibility. The new layout will transition from a list format to a card-based design, categorizing settings under labels like Your App Experience and Privacy & Safety. Key features such as Search personalization and SafeSearch will be more prominently displayed on the main settings screen. The redesign will follow Google's Material 3 Expressive design language, but it differs from a similar initiative for the Gemini app. The release timeline for the new settings page is currently uncertain.

BetaBeacon

October 2, 2026

WoW Forever On Android! (Nostalgia edition)

Google has implemented a passive sign-in feature for YouTube, allowing users to seamlessly sign in to their Google accounts without having to input their credentials each time they access the platform.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

Riot’s absurd expectations of player counts ‘in the high hundreds of thousands, if not millions’ doomed 2XKO from the start

Marc Merrill discussed the development challenges of the game 2XKO, which faced difficulties in attracting a sufficient user base to support its live service model after eight years of work. The game required a monthly active user count in the high hundreds of thousands to justify its ongoing operation. The decision to shift 2XKO to a "box game" model resulted in layoffs and reflected broader industry challenges. The podcast highlighted that even with 400,000 daily players, sustaining a monthly unique player count near one million would be difficult. Merrill indicated that 2XKO would likely struggle to exceed 500,000 monthly active users, raising questions about Riot Games' market assessment and the developers' effectiveness.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

‘Samsung Sound’ is no more: app prepares for shutdown and future integration

Samsung will close the Sound app on March 31, 2027, and is encouraging users to transition to SmartThings, where the app's functionalities will be integrated. This follows the closure of several other apps in 2026, including Messages, Quick Measure, and AR Doodle. Samsung aims to streamline its offerings and enhance user experience through this consolidation.

AppWizard

September 30, 2026

Google Play Cuts Game Fee to 15%, Day-One Rule [2026]

Starting September 30, 2026, Google will implement changes to the Android game distribution economics through the Google Play Games Level Up program, reducing the commission on game revenue exceeding million annually from 20% to 15%. Developers must launch their games on Android simultaneously with other platforms to qualify for this discount; otherwise, they will be ineligible for six months. The new fee structure includes a baseline rate cut to 10% on the first million and 20% on earnings above that, while the Level Up program allows qualifying titles to pay 15% on revenue beyond the first million. The rollout of the Level Up program will begin in Australia, the European Economic Area, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States on September 30, 2026, followed by South Korea on December 31, 2026, and the rest of the world on September 30, 2027. If a game launches on a non-Android platform first, it will face a six-month waiting period before qualifying for Level Up pricing. Existing games launched before September 30, 2026, are exempt from this penalty.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

Here’s your first glimpse at Google Gemini’s overlay upgrades

Users can expect an enhanced overlay experience in Google Gemini, introducing a Chat/Task selector within the interface. The updated overlay will feature dedicated buttons for recent conversations and a Proactive Assistance button for immediate access to interactions. In version 17.62.9 of the Google app, users can toggle between "Chat" and "Task" modes, improving accessibility. The overlay includes a bell icon for quick access to recent chats and a currently inactive Proactive Assistance icon. A new Browser settings page allows users to choose between using Chrome on their devices or a remote browser for internet access while away. These enhancements aim to provide greater control and a more tailored experience.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

5 of my favorite Android features you won’t find on Samsung or Pixel phones

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra has a maximum charging speed of 60W, while the Pixel 11 Pro family reaches up to 45W. The OnePlus 15 offered 80W charging, and brands like HUAWEI and Xiaomi have devices capable of 120W charging or more. IR blasters are now rare in flagship devices, with the OnePlus 15 being an exception, while Xiaomi's Second Space allows for a separate user profile at the OS level. Motorola's Moto Actions use hardware sensors for gesture-based controls, enabling actions without waking the display. The Nothing Phone's Glyph system features a dot-matrix display for app-specific alerts, contrasting with Google's HiLight LED indicator.

Winsage

September 26, 2026

Microsoft just rethought its entire AI strategy: What the new Copilot means for Windows & your everyday workflows

Microsoft is evolving its offerings in artificial intelligence, particularly with updates announced at its Copilot event, which signify a shift towards a more integrated Microsoft 365 experience. The latest version of Copilot aims to create a cohesive workspace that connects documents, conversations, data, and tasks, making AI more accessible for everyday users and enterprise customers. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of keeping humans "in the flow of work" and creating systems that learn continuously. Key features include Autopilot, a digital teammate that manages tasks across Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and other applications, allowing users to focus on strategic initiatives. At the core of these advancements is Microsoft IQ, a unified intelligence layer that connects data and workflows throughout the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft is also introducing a plugin registry for custom integrations and implementing FinOps for AI to optimize spending. Regular consumers can access these features based on their M365 Premium or Pro subscriptions, with further developments expected at Microsoft Ignite in November.