user-friendly experience Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

I want to use YouTube Music for podcasts, but it keeps letting me down

Edgar Cervantes shared his experience with YouTube Music's podcast functionality, highlighting frustrations with its navigation and organization, which detracts from the user experience. He noted that YouTube Music prioritizes music and video content, making it difficult to locate podcasts, with subscriptions buried in the Library tab. The app defaults to video for podcasts, requiring users to switch to audio mode manually. Despite these issues, there is potential for improvement, and users like Cervantes continue to use the app due to its music streaming capabilities. To enhance its podcast experience, Google needs to implement a dedicated podcast tab, improve navigation, remember playback positions, and enhance search functionalities. Until these improvements are made, users may prefer dedicated podcast apps like Pocket Casts for a better experience.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Spotify just dropped ‘Jam’, its most social in-car feature yet for Android Auto

Spotify has updated its Android Auto app with a new design and features, including the "Jam" feature that allows drivers to host shared playback sessions. Passengers can join by scanning a QR code and contribute to the music queue, while the host maintains control. The update also includes a "Downloaded" tab for easier access to offline music, a floating Search button for manual track selection, and a streamlined interface for safer navigation. This update is part of Google's plans to enhance media app capabilities within Android Auto, with similar updates expected for other apps. The update is currently being rolled out on the Google Play Store.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

Microsoft is retiring the infamous ‘blue screen of death’

Microsoft has announced the retirement of the "blue screen of death" and will replace it with a black screen for Windows 11 devices running the 24H2 operating software, set to debut later this summer. The new screen aims to simplify the restart process and reduce reboot times to approximately two seconds. The "blue screen of death" originated in 1993 with Windows NT, indicating unrecoverable system failures. A version of the black screen was previously introduced to Windows 11 users in 2021.

BetaBeacon

June 27, 2025

Epic Games Store rounds off June 2025 with new free game giveaway for Android and iOS gamers

The Epic Games Store offers a revenue split of 12% with developers, attracting indie developers and creating a diverse library of games.

TrendTechie

June 27, 2025

5 Best VPNs for uTorrent in 2025: Fast & Secure Downloads

ExpressVPN is recommended as the best VPN for torrenting with uTorrent in 2025, offering support for P2P sharing in 105 countries, high download speeds, and strong security features. It includes a Lightway protocol, split tunneling, and Advanced Protection, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Other notable VPNs include Private Internet Access, which supports P2P on all servers in 91 countries and offers a SOCKS5 proxy; CyberGhost, with torrent-optimized servers in over 85 countries; NordVPN, known for its advanced security features and support for torrenting in over 110 countries; and Surfshark, which provides automatic IP rotation in 49+ countries. The testing methodology focused on reliable P2P support, strong security measures, fast download speeds, user-friendly apps, and value for money.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Android users get another option to pay later with Klarna on Google Pay

Klarna has integrated with Google Pay, enhancing Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options for consumers during online checkout. This integration began on June 24 and will be available on select Android apps and websites that support Google Pay. Klarna's chief commercial officer, David Sykes, stated that this partnership advances the company's mission to offer transparent and adaptable payment solutions. Google Pay has been expanding its BNPL offerings since 2024, incorporating providers like Affirm and Zip. Additionally, Google has updated its card information interaction methods to include biometric security measures. There are also indications of a new feature for Google Wallet that would allow users to add cards via NFC technology, although users will still need to enter the card's CVV for security. The NFC Forum has suggested plans for broader NFC technology capabilities.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Android Automotive now lets apps show your food order status and more on your car’s home screen

Google is introducing a new feature called AppCard to its Android Automotive OS, which allows applications to display essential data and functionalities directly on the home screen. The design of these AppCards will be determined by car manufacturers, ensuring a consistent user interface across vehicles. AppCards can include images, text, tappable buttons, and progress bars, although space limitations may restrict the amount of information displayed. This feature may not be exclusive to Android 16 and could function independently of primary operating system updates. AppCards aim to optimize applications for automotive environments, encouraging developers to refine their apps for vehicle use.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

New Windows 11 and Windows 10 Builds Are Available on the Release Preview Channel

Microsoft has released new builds for Windows 11 and Windows 10 for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel, focusing on user experience improvements, especially for European Union users. The Settings app has been updated to enhance the default app settings, allowing the “Set Default” button to automatically associate additional file and link types with the newly designated default browser, which will be pinned to the Taskbar and Start menu unless opted out. A new one-click button for browsers has also been added to simplify changing the default app for opening PDF files, addressing previous concerns about Microsoft Edge being set as the default for PDFs. Windows 11's latest build 23H2 (22631.5545) introduces a visual preview feature in the Windows Share window, allowing users to see a representation when sharing links or web content. This update also resolves a performance issue that caused the Windows Search box to take over 10 seconds to load.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Google’s on the right track with desktop mode in Android 16

Android 16 introduces a fully functional desktop mode for Pixel phone users, similar to Samsung's DeX feature, as part of the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. This desktop mode is accessible out of the box but is still in Developer Preview. Google collaborated with Samsung on its design, featuring a Dock with an app drawer, open apps, and navigation controls. Users can manage app windows with smooth transitions and can snap windows to the sides of the screen. However, there are issues, such as a persistent toolbar in text fields and app windows disappearing upon reconnection. Future updates may improve these features, and there is potential for a dual-screen setup with the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Microsoft enters portable gaming with new ROG Xbox Ally devices

Microsoft is launching the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handheld devices, marking its entry into the handheld gaming market. Developed in collaboration with ASUS, these devices will provide seamless access to Xbox games, content streaming, and cloud gaming. They are designed to offer a versatile and user-friendly experience for mobile gamers.