user Archives

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

The open-source mobile OS LineageOS upgrades to Android 17, escaping the ecosystem without losing the apps

LineageOS has released version 24, transitioning to Android 17, which includes numerous security patches. The update features a new image editor called Canvas, enhancements to the Android TV launcher Catapult with a battery indicator, and improvements to the music application Twelve for faster loading times. It also expands support to 24 additional devices. A comprehensive list of supported hardware and a downloads page are available in Changelog 32. LineageOS aims to provide a version of Android free from Google's ecosystem, allowing users to reduce bloatware and unwanted services, although some Google-dependent applications may face issues.

Winsage

October 12, 2026

$199 worth of Windows 11 Pro is yours for $14.99, forever

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .99, down from its MSRP of 9. This lifetime license includes advanced features not found in Windows 11 Home, such as BitLocker for drive encryption, Hyper-V for virtualization, and Windows Sandbox for running isolated applications. Additional features include Snap layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, and biometric login supported by TPM 2.0. The purchase covers a single PC for life with no ongoing subscription fees.

Tech Optimizer

October 11, 2026

dbForge 2026.2 Adds a PostgreSQL Debugger, Visual Object Editors and Broader Context for dbForge AI Assistant

Devart has released dbForge 2026.2, a unified database management ecosystem for PostgreSQL developers, featuring an embedded PostgreSQL Debugger that allows for efficient error tracking in server-side code. The Debugger enables breakpoints, step-through code execution, and real-time monitoring of variables and query results. Visual editors for PostgreSQL event triggers, functions, and procedures have been introduced, allowing for easier management without manual SQL writing. The dbForge AI Assistant now offers expanded context awareness, enabling users to attach various documents and select from multiple AI models for generating relevant SQL code. A free Express edition of the AI Assistant is available, with limited features compared to paid plans. Additionally, new SQL refactoring commands and schema comparison improvements have been implemented, along with updates for compatibility with MySQL 26.7 and MariaDB 13.x.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Android’s New Sideloading Rules Add a 24-Hour Wait

As of September 30, Google has introduced a 24-hour waiting period for Android users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand before they can install applications from unregistered developers. This initiative aims to enhance security against potential scams. Users can still access apps from recognized stores, including Google Play and various manufacturer-specific app markets. The rollout is currently limited to the specified countries and has not been implemented globally. The new verification process may affect users who prefer alternative app stores and those who do not use a Google account.

BetaBeacon

October 11, 2026

A classic Zelda-style adventure can be tried for free on smartphones – Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King released on Android and iOS

FDG Entertainment has released the mobile version of Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, developed by Castle Pixel studio.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

What’s the difference between Android Automotive and Google Built-In?

Car manufacturers are moving away from phone mirroring applications like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to adopt native infotainment systems, supported by Google's Android Automotive and Google Built-in software. General Motors (GM) has chosen Google Built-in since 2023, abandoning Android Auto. Google Built-in allows access to applications like Google Maps and the Google Play Store, and is used by sixteen automotive brands including Honda, Volvo, Chevy, Nissan, Ford, BYD, and Renault. Android Automotive is a customizable software solution for managing vehicle functions, while Google Built-in consists of licensed applications. Google is integrating advanced AI features, such as the Gemini chatbot, into its infotainment systems, enhancing capabilities like real-time traffic updates and voice-activated assistance. GM is also developing a proprietary AI assistant alongside integrating Gemini.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Two Steam games generated $560,000 across 135,000 sales in five years, but the co-creator only took home $15,000 annually, leaving him driving a 2012 Mazda — high Chinese refund rates, Steam’s 30% fee, and publisher cuts eat most of the profit

Omer Develioğlu, co-founder of Northend Games, reported that his indie titles, Northend Tower Defense and Deepstone Rift (Early Access), generated a gross income of 0,000 from approximately 135,000 units sold on Steam over five years. After expenses and revenue sharing, he and his co-founder received only ,000 to split, resulting in an annual income of about ,000 each. A significant portion of their sales, around 53.3%, came from China. Steam charges a standard fee of 30% on sales, which deducted ,000 from their earnings. Additionally, U.S. withholding taxes reduced their total earnings further, leaving them with ,300.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Android 18 UI Breakdown: Deep Material You Upgrades, Progressive Blurs, and Hardware Synergy

Google is teasing the return of the Android Dev Summit, focusing on Android 18 and its visual transformation. Key upgrades include: 1. Modern Graphics: Introduction of multi-point mesh gradients and real-time progressive blurs for enhanced visual fidelity. 2. Evolved Material You: Development of tactile glassmorphism and fluid component scaling for a three-dimensional user experience. 3. App Efficiency: Stricter performance benchmarks to minimize resource-heavy background processes and ensure smooth operation. 4. Hardware Synergy: Optimizations in Android 18 designed to complement next-generation displays, particularly for the upcoming Pixel 12.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

3 Budget Android Phones That Work Without A Google Account

Google is working on a new Android Developer Verification system to enable users to sideload third-party app stores like F-Droid and Aurora. Budget-friendly Android phones that operate without a Google account include the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G, Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026), and Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, all priced under 0. The TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G, launched in 2025 for 0, features 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, and a 5,010 mAh battery. It offers one major Android OS upgrade and two years of security patches. The Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) was initially priced at 0 in November 2025 but has increased to 0. It includes 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 5,200 mAh battery, with two years of major Android OS upgrades and three years of security patches. The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G debuted in January 2026 at 0, featuring an Exynos 1330 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery, with six major Android OS upgrades and six years of security patches. All devices allow users to avoid Google account sign-in and related background processes for improved performance.

Winsage

October 11, 2026

Microsoft is giving Windows 11’s legacy UI dark mode instead of killing it, now in Hyper-V

Windows 11 is introducing dark mode support for various applications and features, including file-operation dialogs and the Hyper-V Manager tool. Recent updates have applied dark mode to several key dialogs within Hyper-V Manager, such as the New Virtual Machine, Export Virtual Machine, Import Virtual Machine, New Virtual Hard Disk, Edit Virtual Hard Disk, and the virtual machine settings page. The Virtual Switch Manager and Virtual SAN Manager also now support dark mode. These features are currently available in Windows Server and Windows 11 preview builds but are not yet in the production channel. Hyper-V Manager allows users to choose between light and dark themes, although switching requires a restart of the application. Microsoft plans to extend dark mode to more legacy areas of Windows and is working on rebuilding certain dialogs using WinUI, with dark mode support already appearing in preview builds for various components.