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AppWizard

August 13, 2025

Google Gemini Canvas On Android: New Features Could Transform Mobile AI Experience

Google is enhancing the Canvas feature within its Gemini AI app on Android, expanding its functionality to allow users to create various content formats and develop apps within a sandbox-style interface. These updates were identified in the beta version 16.31.75.sa.arm64 of the Google app for Android during an APK teardown. The new capabilities may enable users to create web pages, infographics, quizzes, audio overviews, and apps directly from Canvas, moving closer to the interactivity available in the web version. However, Google has not officially confirmed the rollout or provided a timeline for when these features will be available to beta testers or the general public.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

YouTube Android Bug Resets Playback Speed, Frustrating Users

A glitch in the YouTube app for Android prevents users from adjusting playback speeds, leaving them stuck at the default 1x speed. This issue has been reported by users globally and mirrors a similar problem from the previous year, indicating a recurring vulnerability in YouTube’s Android codebase. YouTube has acknowledged the issue and is investigating it, with speculation that it may be linked to recent Android OS updates or changes to internal APIs. The bug affects both stable version 20.28.39 and beta version 20.29.39, while YouTube Music's podcast controls remain unaffected. Users have shared workarounds, such as uninstalling app updates to revert to a functional version, although this may pose security risks. The incident raises concerns about Google’s quality assurance processes and the balance between innovation and reliability in app development.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Google is fixing Meet’s messy invitations on Android (APK teardown)

Google is enhancing its Meet app for Android by simplifying the process of adding participants to calls. Users will soon be able to invite contacts by entering their email addresses or phone numbers, similar to the web version. The latest version of Google Meet includes an “Add others” button that opens a contacts page for inviting new participants. The ongoing call minimizes to a picture-in-picture view, and invited participants receive a standard incoming call notification. If they decline or do not answer, the label changes to “No answer,” and a button may allow existing participants to leave a video message together.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Gemini is working to clean up how it handles Canvas previews (APK teardown)

Google has been refining its Gemini platform for over a year, introducing enhancements such as Canvas for document creation and code editing. Currently, users generating web code with Canvas are redirected to a separate Chrome custom tab for previews. However, an APK teardown of the Google Android app version 16.26.64.sa.arm64 indicates that Google is working on allowing code previews directly within the Gemini app, which would streamline the workflow and reduce navigation issues. This change aims to provide a more cohesive user experience, although the mobile interface may still be less expansive than the web version.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

9 best apps for the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s large display

Foldable smartphones have evolved into functional devices, with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 featuring a book-style design and a large display. Notion is a productivity tool that benefits from the Fold 7's screen space for note-taking and managing tasks. The Kindle app enhances the reading experience by utilizing the larger display for e-books. Samsung's Good Lock app allows for device customization, including features tailored for foldable devices. The Dolphin Emulator takes advantage of the Fold 7's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for gaming, allowing users to play GameCube and Wii titles. Super Display enables the Fold 7 to function as a portable monitor for Windows PCs. Canva's photo editor benefits from the larger display for designing graphics. Octopi Launcher allows users to customize app layouts for different screen orientations. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest of Samsung's book-style foldables, enhancing the mobile app experience.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Gemini app switches to always available nav drawer on Android

Google is enhancing its Gemini app on Android by introducing a navigation drawer, similar to its web version. This update includes a hamburger button that reveals the drawer, featuring a "New chat" button, two recent Gems, and a link to "Explore Gems." The "Recent" history list now supports infinite scrolling, and pinned conversations are prioritized at the top. The navigation drawer can be accessed while viewing conversations or browsing other pages, sliding the main screen to the right. On Android tablets, the drawer opens automatically but can be hidden for a fullscreen experience. This feature is part of Google app version 16.23, currently in beta, and users may need to force stop the app to access the new features.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Find My Device is out—Google’s new Find Hub is officially in

Google has rebranded its Find My Device tool to Find Hub, which is now located in Android Settings under Security & privacy > Device finders. This change is part of the rollout with Google Play services version 25.20.37, replacing all mentions of "Find My Device." The updated Find Hub allows users to locate both devices and people, featuring distinct tabs for each. Google is enhancing Find Hub's functionality with Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for precise location tracking and plans to introduce satellite connectivity for use in remote areas without cell service.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

More than a decade later, WhatsApp finally brings out an iPad app

WhatsApp has launched its app for iPads, now available on the App Store, allowing users to access its full functionality on a larger screen for the first time in over a decade. The iPad app includes features like chat synchronization across devices, compatibility with Apple's Magic Keyboard, and navigation using the Apple Pencil. Previously, iPad users could only use WhatsApp through a web version that required a constant connection to a mobile phone. The new app enables better multitasking by allowing users to run WhatsApp alongside other applications.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Google might be working on a new Gemini UI that makes sense on tablets

Google is enhancing the user experience of its Gemini platform on tablets with a new beta release that features a tablet-friendly layout, including a sidebar for quick access to chats and a hamburger menu for navigation. The updated design includes shortcuts for starting new conversations and searching past discussions, as well as a modified prompt bar that highlights tools like “Deep Research” and “Canvas.” A new “Search History” function allows users to retrieve past chats using keywords. The latest beta version (v16.20.48.sa.arm64) for Android mirrors the web interface, with a left-hand sidebar for navigation and practical shortcuts for new and archived chats. Users can switch between different Gemini models using a dropdown menu, and a full-screen mode option is available to hide the sidebar for a distraction-free view. The timeline for the widespread rollout of the tablet-optimized layout is currently uncertain.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Google’s fresh, clean account switcher is rolling out now to more apps

Google is rolling out a redesigned account switcher in several apps, including Translate (version 9.9.58.761479923.3-release), Wallet (version 25.20.761154377), and Tasks (version 2025.05.19.760395213.0-release). The new interface features a prominent display of the primary account's profile photo and a collapsible "Switch account" menu for easier access to other accounts. This update aims to simplify the account-switching process, reducing the number of taps required compared to the previous method. The new design has already been seen in Google Maps, with potential future rollouts in Calendar and Keep.