Spam is one of the banes of contemporary digital life, but a new change to Google's Messages app should at least make it a bit easier to manage. Earlier this week, a Google employee revealed that Messages is getting the ability to report group spam messages, though it isn't live for us just yet.
Reporting...
Dropbox rolls out 13 new Extensions for video editing, sharing files, and more
About a year ago, Dropbox introduced Extensions, which allowed third-party apps and services to integrate with your content. For instance, you could sign documents with Adobe Sign and DocuSign directly from Dropbox, without having to worry about transferring files. Dropbox is now announcing 13 new...
WhatsApp's fingerprint unlock feature arrives on Android in latest beta [APK Download] (Update: Rolling out to stable)
Update 1: 2019/08/14 3:36am PDT
Available to more with new update
Update 2: 2019/10/31 8:42am PDT
Rolling out to stable
Despite its enormous user base, WhatsApp can often be slow to introduce the most hotly-anticipated new features. A Dark mode is still in the works, but fingerprint...
YouTube experiment puts comment section above 'Up next' recommendations
The YouTube app is constantly under construction with Google changing up little things here and there all the time. The comment section in particular has come under scrutiny this year, with Google even hiding it behind a button during a test this June. The latest experiment in turn makes comments...
Pixel 4 Xposed module lets you use face unlock in apps that only support fingerprint authentication
The Pixel 4 is the first Android phone to feature a proper secure face unlock mechanism that can't be easily fooled by pictures or similar looking people. To enable authentication in banking apps or password managers, this technology requires Android 10's new biometrics API. Since it's different from...
(Update: Back in English) Google takes down AutoVoice Assistant action, but there's a workaround
Update 1: 2019/10/31 1:45am PDT
AutoVoice is back but English only, for now
AutoVoice is a powerful tool developed by the maintainer of Tasker, João Dias. It lets you trigger Tasker and IFTTT recipes with your voice, so you can easily start complicated workflows involving multiple smart home...
Here's how to repurpose the Netflix button on the new Shield TV remote
The brand new 2019 Shield TV and Shield TV Pro are now available and awaiting all of those people that have been patiently waiting for a true refresh. Thankfully, the remote has gone through some substantial improvements, including the addition of several new buttons. While most of them contribute...
13 temporarily free and 32 on-sale apps and games for the end of October
Halloween is tomorrow, so I hope everyone is ready for the spooks and the kids dressed up and so on. Here at AP, well, we don't do much for Halloween, but I do have app sales to help you get it started. Have at it.
Free
Apps
IQ Test - Premium IQ Test $1.99 -> Free; Sale ends in 2 days
Games
Trig...
Top tips for keeping data safe and secure on Android
Keeping data safe and private is a key priority for Android—and we’ve built a number of features to keep your device secure and give you control. As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here are a few of these features, and our top tips for staying safe on your phone.
Warding off sneaky phishing...
Samsung introduces new Galaxy Labs suite of device optimization apps [APK Download]
Samsung has always offered a number of utility features, either baked into the system settings or via separate apps. The company is now consolidating them under one umbrella suite called Galaxy Labs, which will include four apps — File Guardian, Battery Tracker, Battery Guardian, and App Booster —...
Google pulls ads from Podcast Addict app because 'adult' podcasts exist
Google has an annoying habit of pulling the rug out from under Android app developers. It's a story as old as Android—someone at Google decides an app violates some policy or another, and the developer has to scramble to figure out how to comply with the esoteric app guidelines. The latest victim...
Bixby Home to make way to Samsung Daily, bringing minor improvements
Back in 2012, Samsung embedded Flipboard in its launcher, making news seamlessly accessible from the home screen. The company then used Upday on newer phones, until it released Bixby Home when it launched the Galaxy S8. In addition to being a simple news aggregator, the latter aimed at being a smarter...
Poweramp beta gets HTML radio streaming
Poweramp established a loyal fan base over the years by offering an original design and an abundance of customization options. These fans can soon greet another feature setting the app apart from other music players. Poweramp is adding internet radio streaming to its product and calls it Powerstream.
Even...
[Update: Security measures in place] NordVPN was hacked in March 2018, only some servers affected
Update 1: 2019/10/21 5:00pm PDT
Statement
Update 2: 2019/10/30 6:03am PDT
NordVPN is taking this breech seriously and has put in place a five-prong plan to avoid having a similar security issue in the future. It's partnering with cybersecurity firm
Banks, credit card companies, and VPN...
Google Assistant receives SiriusXM integration
SirusXM is best known as a broadcast provider for satellite radios in cars, but the company expanded its business to smartphones long ago and recently bought the streaming platform Pandora. Now SiriusXM has teamed up with Google to bring its lineup of radio stations to the Assistant across all of...
Spotify launches standalone Kids app exclusive to Premium Family subscribers
To give parents peace of mind while their children are listening to music, Spotify is introducing a separate app for younger users. Only hand-picked, kid-friendly audio content will be available through the new app, whose bright and colorful UI with oversized buttons will make it easier for little...
Transit app Moovit integrates Waze Carpool to route finding
Waze isn't only a great tool to help you avoid traffic and accidents, it also makes it easier to share your commute with other people through its Carpool platform, available in the entire US since October last year. Thus, it only makes sense for Waze to team up with mobility service Moovit which aggregates...
Razer's Junglecat is a versatile $100 Bluetooth gaming controller for Android
Today Razer announced a two-piece gaming controller called the Junglecat that sticks on to the left and right sides of your phone, making the finished setup looking like a Nintendo Switch. The Junglecat offers gamers a distraction-free gaming experience by eliminating the need to use fingers to control...
Sony shuttering PlayStation Vue in early 2020, leaving us with one less streaming option
After chugging along for four years, Sony is calling it quits and ending its Playstation Vue subscription service. The company cites the slow-changing and competitive Pay TV industry as its primary reason for the pullout, and it plans to focus on its core gaming business going forward. Subscribers...
Xbox Console Streaming lets you play any Xbox One game on your Android device
If you're an Xbox Insider in the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings in the US and UK, you can now start testing out Microsoft's Xbox Console Streaming service, which streams any Xbox One game to an Android device. The prerequisites for the service are a bit restrictive, but going through the steps will...
Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs brings bird-flinging fun into the real world
The original Angry Birds was one of the first cultural phenomenons in mobile gaming, eventually spawning multiple sequels, a movie franchise, and a really ugly dress. Now, there's an augmented reality version of Angry Birds, and you can play it on any Android device with ARCore compatibility. There...
Waze and Tidal partner up to let you safely enjoy your music on the road
Over the last few years, Waze has partnered up with quite a large number of music and podcast streaming services to make listening to audio while navigating easier and less distracting. Tidal users can finally join in on the party, as the two companies have announced that they're teaming up to bring...
Google tests vertical scrolling in Calendar's month view
Google is constantly working on little usability improvements across all of its apps, and that's no different for Calendar. Code sleuth Jane Manchun Wong peeked into the application and managed to activate vertical scrolling in the month view, replacing the horizontal navigation that's been with us...
Edison Mail gets a Dark Mode costume for Halloween
When EasilyDo released its email app in 2017, it offered an Inbox alternative for non-Gmail users. It later renamed the software to Edison Mail and gave it some advanced features such as Smart Replies. The app is continuing to evolve, as it just got a new dark mode to stay in the game.
Although...
YouTube Music on the web gets keyboard shortcuts and becomes a PWA
While almost all other music streaming services have long offered proper desktop applications (or an Electron app, at least), Google has always touted that websites are all you'll ever need. Still, it would sometimes be nice to have a dedicated window for music, including support for playback keyboard...
14 temporarily free and 56 on-sale apps and games, including Stardew Valley and QuickEdit Pro
Welcome to October's last Monday. Halloween is just around the corner, and we're likely to see a lot app sales pop up this week. Today's is getting off to a good start with that, what with the large list below and all. Have fun, y'all, and see you on Wednesday.
Free
Apps
Trueshot Swing Tempo $0.99...
[Update: Netflix confirms] Netflix testing variable playback speed on Android
Update 1: 2019/10/28 1:56pm PDT
Netflix has confirmed that variable-speed playback control is currently in testing. A company spokesperson told Android Police: "We’re always experimenting with new ways to help members use Netflix. This test makes
Variable playback speed is an invaluable feature...
OneDrive gets a dark mode just in time for Halloween
Dark mode is definitely the feature your software needs to have these days, and what better timing than releasing it in time for Halloween? Microsoft's OneDrive is the company's latest app to get the treatment, following in Outlook's footsteps.
The new theme applies to all of the app's...
Samsung launcher hits 1 billion installs on the Play Store
There are almost uncountable Android devices in the world—it is the world's largest computing platform, after all. Naturally, some apps in the Play Store have accumulated a lot of downloads. The billion-download club includes the likes of Google Calendar, Microsoft Word, and Snapchat. Now, you can...
Nebo is the ultimate note-taking app for your Galaxy Note, Chromebook, or other stylus devices [Sponsored Post]
![Nebo is the ultimate note-taking app for your Galaxy Note, Chromebook, or other stylus devices [Sponsored Post]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6iNqExuVra4/default.jpg)
Most note-taking apps for Android only have basic options for stylus writing, if they support it at all. Sure, Google Keep lets you draw inside your notes, but that's about where the usefulness ends. If you have a Galaxy Note, an iPad, a Chromebook with pen support, or some other active stylus device,...
Google unceremoniously takes down AutoVoice Assistant action, but there's a workaround
AutoVoice is a powerful tool developed by the maintainer of Tasker, João Dias. It lets you trigger Tasker and IFTTT recipes with your voice, so you can easily start complicated workflows involving multiple smart home devices with a simple phrase. Unfortunately, there seems to be some misunderstanding...
Google Pay adds biometric authentication for sending money in Android 10 [APK Download]
You've been able to send money via Google Pay for a while now in the US and India, but so far, you could only protect your transactions with a PIN. The latest Google Pay version, 2.100, is looking to change that. It's adding support for Android 10's new biometrics API so you can use your fingerprint...
YouTube Music adds Siri support on iOS, while Assistant integration remains laughably inconsistent
YouTube Music is slowly spreading its tentacles and establishing itself as Play Music's successor. While the service still lacks many essential features for some users, it's good enough for others. Its most recent addition is Siri support on iOS — while Android integration with Assistant is still...
Boxing coach uses Live Transcribe to connect with at-risk youth
Editor’s note: Anya Karir is a Toronto-based youth boxing coach who uses Google’s accessibility tools to communicate with those around her.
Isolated and alienated. That’s how I’d describe the moment I realized I was deaf. That transition, from just a kid to a deaf person, is so clear in my memory—I...
Google Play Music marches to the beat of its own drum, reaches 5 billion Play Store downloads
We all know Google Play Music's days are numbered and it's only been playing second fiddle to YouTube Music for over a year. You can't unring that bell, but at least Play Music is getting the opportunity to enjoy its swan song: the app has now crossed 5 billion downloads on the Play Store.
Play Music...
