weather apps Archives

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

Android is preparing a hub for all your satellite-connected apps

Google is enhancing Android's satellite connectivity capabilities, which will allow users to stay connected in areas without cellular service. A new Quick Settings tile and menu will streamline access to these features. Initially, satellite connectivity was limited to emergency messaging, but upcoming updates will include functionalities like WhatsApp calling and live location sharing. In the latest Android Canary build, a toggle for a “Satellite” tile is available under Settings > System > Developer Options, indicating three states: On, Available, and Not available. The Pixel 9 supports satellite connectivity, but the tile is marked as “Not available” due to the user's T-Mobile plan lacking satellite access. Tapping the tile leads to a “Satellite connectivity” page listing compatible apps, including Emergency SOS, Messages, Find Hub, Maps, and Settings. WhatsApp is not currently listed, despite prior announcements of its support for satellite calls. The app list varies based on device and plan support for LTE-based or Narrowband NTN. If LTE-based NTN is supported, the app list could expand to include AccuWeather, Google Weather, Snapchat, and X, suggesting future satellite support for these applications. The Satellite tile and landing page are operational in the Canary release but are currently accessible only through a developer option, indicating they may still be in testing. Future Android Canary releases will provide updates on this feature's development.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Zimperium research reveals security risks inside Android apps

Zimperium's zLabs team has revealed that many popular Android applications still use an outdated mapping component, libmapbox-gl.so, which was deprecated in 2023. This legacy library is embedded in thousands of active applications, including leading travel, airline, and weather apps, and contains known security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. Zimperium is working with Google through the App Defense Alliance to improve app security and advises developers to switch to Mapbox Maps SDK v10+ or MapLibre. Their analysis found that thousands of Android apps contain the vulnerable library, with 40% of these apps ranking among the top 20 in their Play Store categories, posing significant risks for employee devices and enterprise security.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

This Android weather app is a must-have during the hurricane season

The Tropical Hurricane Tracker (THT) app provides near real-time updates on tropical storms and disturbances, utilizing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It features a home page that displays active storms, NOAA advisories, and historical data, with detailed information available for each storm, including its Saffir-Simpson scale strength and wind speed. THT includes tabs for various ocean basins, allowing global storm tracking, and offers educational resources on storm preparedness and safety practices. The app also features a Buoy Data page for atmospheric data and a notification system for timely updates. THT is designed to complement standard weather apps, focusing on specialized information during hurricane season.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

Here’s a better look at the new Pixel Weather app for Wear OS, with Material 3 Expressive design

Google's Weather app will no longer be available for new installations on Wear OS 6 and later smartwatch models, prompting users to consider third-party weather apps or default offerings from watch manufacturers. Google is developing a new Pixel Weather app for Wear OS, inspired by Material 3 design principles, which includes features such as current weather conditions, hourly and daily forecasts, Air Quality Index, and sunrise and precipitation information. Users can customize temperature and precipitation units. A Reddit user shared the Pixel Weather APK, demonstrating its functionality on a Galaxy Watch. The Pixel Watch 4 is set to launch on October 9, 2025, with the Pixel Weather app expected to be available for download around the same time, likely exclusive to the Pixel Watch series but potentially sideloadable on Wear OS 6 devices.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

Survey reveals this is everyone’s favorite weather app, by far

In a recent survey, Pixel Weather was identified as the most favored weather app, receiving 47% of the votes. It is exclusively available to Google Pixel users. The next closest competitors were Wunderground with 12.51%, Today Weather with 10.42%, Weather and Radar with 10.13%, and Ventusky with 4.02%. Users also suggested alternative weather applications such as Weawow, Samsung Weather, AccuWeather, Windy, MyRadar, and ForecastAdvisor. For non-Pixel users, Weather Master can replicate some features of Pixel Weather, and tech-savvy users can sideload the Pixel Weather APK onto other devices.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

These are the 5 weather apps I recommend, but one of them stands out from the rest

- Pixel Weather is exclusive to Pixel devices, ad-free, and features an hourly report and a 10-day forecast, but its weather map lacks accuracy. - Weather & Radar has a user interface that could improve and contains ads, but offers precise weather map functionality for rain and hail predictions. - Today Weather features a clean design with subtle animations and a visual representation of the sky, but includes ads that are less intrusive than in other apps. - Weather Underground is user-friendly, offers an animated temperature display, and provides severe weather notifications; it is free and ad-free during usage, with a premium version available. - Ventusky focuses on weather maps, allowing users to toggle between data types, and provides a quick forecast; it is free to use with a premium version offering limited additional features.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

I found an Android weather app that looks like Google made it

Google overhauled its weather app, replacing the weather frog with a new Pixel Weather app for the Pixel 9, which can now be accessed through Google Search. Users expressed dissatisfaction with the need to search for the frog, leading to the emergence of a third-party app called Weather Master. In a poll, 59% of users reported using whatever weather app is pre-installed on their phone, 38% used a third-party app, and 3% did not use a weather app at all. Weather Master features an animated frog, displays current temperature and forecasts, offers a Quick Summary section, and provides clothing and activity suggestions. It allows for customization and includes a radar function, though it has limitations in depth of information and visual data transitions. Despite its flaws, Weather Master is considered user-friendly and has become a preferred choice for some users over Google's official offering.

BetaBeacon

May 29, 2025

Android Auto to gain video playback, games, web browsing

New functionality is coming to Android Auto, including video playback and web browsing, but these features will only be accessible when the car is parked. Video playback will only work on supported apps and compatible cars, and the user's phone needs to be running Android 16. Game play support is available for beta testers, but it is unclear when these features will be available to the general public. Vehicles with Android Automotive OS already have access to video playback, with audio-only playback while driving coming soon. Google Gemini, a voice-activated AI search assistant, will replace Google Assistant in the coming months. Weather apps are now approved for Android Auto.

AppWizard

May 25, 2025

Android Auto will get Spotify Jam and support for video apps and web browsers

Google introduced enhancements for Android Auto, including the Gemini assistant and a revamped Spotify app featuring Spotify Jam, which allows users to collaboratively control playlists. Users can join by tapping a "Jam" icon and scanning a QR code. Quick Share integration will enable adding stops to Google Maps routes, and passkey support is forthcoming. A new light mode theme is in development, and web browsers and video apps will soon be available, limited to use when parked. The browser feature is in beta for vehicles with Google built-in, while weather app support has transitioned out of beta.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Android Auto to get browser and video apps soon

Android Auto, launched in 2015, has primarily supported a limited range of applications. At the Google I/O 2025 event, Google announced plans to expand Android Auto by adding support for browser apps and video apps, including Chrome, Samsung Internet, Netflix, and YouTube, but this will only be available on devices running Android 16 or newer and compatible car models. Google aims to implement measures to prevent drivers from accessing these apps while driving to ensure safety. Additionally, the weather app support has moved from ‘In Beta’ to ‘Open,’ allowing more weather apps. Support for games and communication apps is currently ‘In Beta,’ indicating future integration into Android Auto.