Aptoide Games, the specialized games app store, has been approved for distribution through Google Play in the United States under Google's new Play Catalog Access program.
Marvel Rivals has reduced its file size by approximately 40 GB for PC users as part of an "Optimized texture resource compression strategy across all platforms." Creative director Guangyun Chen stated that a massive texture compression overhaul is being implemented in season 9.5 without sacrificing visual quality. Helldivers 2 also reduced its file size from around 154 GB to approximately 23 GB by eliminating redundant data. The trend towards efficient data management in gaming is evident, especially as SSD prices rise.
Google is testing a new feature in its Play Store called “Expand everything,” which automatically expands search results to provide more information about apps without needing to manually expand each result. This feature, found in the “Play Labs” section, displays search results in an expanded format by default, changing the arrow icon from an expander to a collapsible tool. While it offers more detailed information, it occupies more screen space, resulting in fewer visible results. Users can enable or disable this feature by navigating to the “Play Labs” option in their profile settings. The rollout is gradual, with limited access for users currently, but it is expected to become more widely available soon.
YouTube's app for Android has begun automatically replaying paused videos when the app is reopened after several hours of inactivity, leading to frustration among users. Reports indicate that this issue affects both paying and non-paying users, with over 3,000 users expressing their concerns on YouTube's support pages. The problem has been noted for several months, with initial reports dating back to March. Some users have found temporary relief by uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This behavior has raised questions about whether it is an intended feature rather than a glitch.
YouTube has started auto-launching its Shorts feature upon opening the app, causing confusion and frustration among users. Reports indicate that this behavior is inconsistent across accounts, with some users experiencing the app defaulting to Shorts even if they closed it on a different screen. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing for several months, suggesting it may be part of a limited test rather than a deliberate design choice. Users can remove Shorts from their home page by setting their daily time limit to zero or choosing the Ignore Limit option, though this may lead to frequent reminders.
YouTube Create is a free mobile video editor that offers features for creating videos for platforms like Instagram Reels, including filters, effects, and AI capabilities for editing. Snapseed is a free photo editing app with professional-grade features and a user-friendly interface, recently updated to include a camera mode. Google Opinion Rewards allows users to earn Play Store credit by completing short surveys. Action Blocks enables users to create customizable buttons for specific smartphone actions, aiding those who struggle with traditional navigation. Gallery is a minimalist photo management app that focuses on viewing images and videos without distractions. Google Lens is a versatile tool that identifies objects, extracts text, translates in real-time, and engages users in conversations about their surroundings.
Google has integrated Venmo as a payment option within the Google Play ecosystem, allowing users to link their Venmo accounts for seamless transactions. Users can utilize their Venmo balance or associated cards for purchases, joining other payment options like Cash App Pay and PayPal. The integration is now widely available to all users, following early access for some. To link a Venmo account, users can navigate to Payments & subscriptions in the Play Store app and select the option to Add Venmo.
Major tech companies are introducing passive sign-in features that allow users to log into their accounts with minimal friction, enhancing user experience and satisfaction. This streamlined process leads to increased user engagement, valuable data insights for companies, and improved brand loyalty. For example, platforms like YouTube enable users to access their accounts without repetitive log-in prompts, saving time and fostering convenience.
Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed began their Minecraft Hardcore challenge on August 7, aiming to defeat every boss in 10 days. They addressed skepticism from viewers regarding the feasibility of completing the challenge, with some believing it could take months or years. Kai expressed confidence in their gaming abilities, stating that they could succeed together. They established rules for the challenge, allowing for strategy adjustments if setbacks occur, but any bosses defeated before the 10-day limit would not count towards their final tally. IShowSpeed confirmed that all progress would reset after the 10-day period, ensuring they must complete the challenge within the set timeframe.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls launched on August 6, 2026, on Steam, receiving a "Mixed" user review rating with only 44% of 2,561 reviews being positive. Players have expressed frustration over technical issues, including mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirements, lack of Linux support, and anti-cheat complications. The PSN requirement has made the game inaccessible in over 100 countries, and many players have criticized the game's performance, noting low frame rates. Despite these issues, some players have praised the game for its character designs and gameplay. Arc System Works has acknowledged the performance problems and is actively investigating them while encouraging player feedback.
