WhatsApp Archives

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Google To Shut Down Android Instant Apps By End of 2025: What Is It? What Will You Miss?

Google introduced Android Instant Apps in 2017, allowing users to access a lightweight version of an app without full installation. However, Google has announced that support for Instant Apps will be discontinued in December 2025, meaning developers will no longer be able to publish new instant apps or receive support for existing ones. The decision is attributed to low user engagement, prompting a shift towards more effective app promotion methods, such as AI-driven highlights and simultaneous installations. Instant Apps required developers to create compact versions of their applications, which was challenging for complex apps. Most users were unaware of the feature, and its adoption was limited.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Pixel Camera update may have killed this handy sharing feature

Google's recent update to the Pixel Camera app (version 9.9.106.767010485.16) has removed the Social Share shortcut, a feature present since the Pixel 4 series in 2019. This shortcut allowed users to quickly share photos via a menu after capturing an image. Reports confirm its absence in the new update, and personal testing on a Pixel 7 Pro supports this finding. While the feature aimed to streamline sharing, some users found it unrefined and lacking support for popular platforms like WhatsApp. Additionally, a new educational hub within the camera app was expected but has not yet been implemented. User feedback on the removal of the Social Share shortcut has been mixed, with a poll showing that while some users relied on it, many did not find it useful.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Google Contacts could soon let you control clutter from third-party apps (APK teardown)

The latest version of Google Contacts, v4.57.27, introduces a feature that allows users to manage read-only contacts synced from connected applications, enabling them to display or hide these entries. This feature aims to improve user experience by helping troubleshoot issues like duplicated contacts. It was revealed through an APK teardown and includes a pop-up dialog in the settings indicating that view-only contacts from other apps can be shown to assist in resolving discrepancies. Visual representations of the option have been shared, and while most users may prefer to keep these entries hidden for organization, the toggle could be beneficial for those facing specific contact-related issues.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

What we know about Russia’s plans to develop a new messaging app to compete with WhatsApp and Telegram

The Kremlin supports the establishment of domestic messaging services in Russia, aiming for them to exceed the quality of foreign alternatives. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need for a competitive landscape with the emergence of multiple national messengers, stating that competition is essential for innovation. This initiative aligns with the broader digitalization agenda of the Russian government, which includes proposed amendments in the State Duma for a multipurpose digital service that would integrate various state, financial, and commercial services into a single application to simplify citizens' interactions.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Forget WhatsApp And Telegram—Radical New Messenger Confirmed

WhatsApp and Telegram each have over a billion users but face scrutiny for security issues and tracking practices. A new state-controlled messaging app, VladsApp, has been approved by Russian lawmakers as an alternative to these platforms. Sergei Boyarsky, head of the Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, described it as a “secure, multifunctional alternative” aimed at enhancing digital security in Russia. The app will operate on state-controlled infrastructure and is expected to integrate with government services, allowing personal information transfer with user consent. The draft legislation must pass through parliament and receive President Vladimir Putin's signature to become law. There are concerns that the state may restrict access to foreign messaging services to promote VladsApp among users in Russia.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Putin wants to replace WhatsApp in Russia with a ‘national messenger’ app

President Vladimir Putin has called for the deactivation of WhatsApp accounts among government officials in Russia and advocates for the development of a national messaging service, as WhatsApp is the last foreign messaging platform in the country. The Russian State Duma has adopted a federal law to establish this new service, which will include features for correspondence, telephone calls, and public and commercial services. The new messenger will be built on Russian-developed software and integrate with the government portal Gosuslugi for identity verification and document authentication. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need for the new platform to be of high quality and competitive with foreign counterparts, highlighting that multiple national messengers should emerge to foster innovation. Russia joins countries like China, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea, which have their own messaging applications.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Putin wants national messenger app to replace WhatsApp in Russia

A national messenger platform is being developed using homegrown technology, ensuring alignment with national interests and security protocols. It will integrate with the government portal, Gosuslugi, enhancing citizen interaction with government services. Features include effortless identity authentication, simplified document submission, transaction capabilities, and electronic signatures. Dmitry Peskov stated that the service must meet global quality standards and compete internationally.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Pixel VIPs, Android 16 and more updates in the June Pixel Drop

The June Pixel Drop introduces significant enhancements to Pixel devices, including the rollout of Android 16 and the new Pixel VIPs feature. This feature allows users to designate important contacts as VIPs, enabling easy access to recent interactions, shared locations, and event updates like birthdays. VIPs can bypass Do Not Disturb mode, ensuring users remain reachable. Sensitive information, such as call logs and message content, is securely stored on the device.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Russia’s State Duma passes bill to create state messaging app as it considers blocking WhatsApp

The Russian State Duma has approved a bill to create a state messaging application, coinciding with discussions about potentially blocking messaging platforms like WhatsApp. The app is intended to enhance government service accessibility and improve information security. Key features include integration with state databases, identification and payment processing capabilities, legal equivalence for documents submitted through the app, and inclusion of educational services. The Russian government will choose a company to develop the app. This legislative move follows previous restrictions on foreign social media platforms, including the blocking of Facebook and Instagram in March 2022 and Viber and Signal in 2024. Roskomnadzor is also considering similar restrictions for WhatsApp, owned by Meta, which is labeled as an "extremist organization" in Russia. Additionally, YouTube has faced throttling of speeds, initially attributed to technical issues but later confirmed by lawmakers to be intentional.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

Pixel VIPs app makes an early appearance on the Play Store

The Google Pixel VIPs app has launched on the Play Store for select Pixel phone users, serving as a precursor to the upcoming Pixel VIPs home screen widget. This widget aims to consolidate information about preferred contacts into a single interface. The app allows users to connect with important contacts, view their last call and message, real-time location, and activity suggestions. It also enables selected contacts to bypass Do Not Disturb mode. The widget will support up to eight contacts, include birthday reminders, and offer notes functionality, with indications of WhatsApp integration. However, downloading the app does not currently provide access to the Pixel VIPs widget, which will require a future update or server-side change.