A new version of the open source privacy-friendly F-Droid app for Android is now available. F-Droid offers an alternative to Google Play. It features only free and open source software, and includes apps that are not allowed on Google Play due to Google policies.
F-Droid 1.19.0 is the latest version. It introduces a much requested feature: the ability to update apps automatically.
While F-Droid 1.19.0 is already available, it is not pushed to user devices yet. It is necessary to seek the update manually to install it.
To do so, open F-Droid on your Android device. Run a search for F-Droid and select the F-Droid result from the list of search results. Scroll down and expand Versions on the page. There you find version 1.19.0 listed. Expand the version and select the install option to start the upgrade.
F-Droid: apps auto-updates
The main new feature of F-Droid 1.19.0 is auto updating for installed apps. The feature works only on Android 12 or newer devices.
The team notes:
On Android 12 or later, apps will be autoupdated after the first install or first update, no root, no unlocking, no PrivExt needed.
Some older apps can not be updated automatically. F-Droid continues notify users about these apps so that they may be updated manually.
F-Droid users who prefer the old way — inform about updates, but do not auto-install — may restore the classic functionality.
This is done in the following way:
Open the F-Droid application on the Android device.
Select Settings.
Scroll down to the “Other” section and enable Expert mode there.
Scroll all the way down and enable “Force old installer”.
This option disables the new installer and thus also automatic background updates. You may undo the change at any time by toggling the force old installer preference.
Managing other repositories
F-Droid supported using other repos for adding and managing apps for some time. The functionality was limited to adding and removing repositories.
F-Droid 1.19.0 introduces a new option to add repositories. This is done either through the repositories URL or by scanning a QR code. The app fetches repository information and displays the listed apps before the repo is added to the database.
The team writes:
In short, paste repo link or use QR code, see list of apps before adding it, see apps from a single repo, all new features that make repositories a joy to use. Mirrors like to keep things chill and in the background, but they are expanding and getting easier to control, as plain servers, Tor .onion hosted or via IPFS gateways.
Other changes
The new version includes lots of improvements. Lots of apps got updated, and 11 new apps are now available in the main repository.
You may check out the official announcement of the new release here.
Grayjay is a new application for Google Android devices to follow video creators on multiple platforms.
Depending on how active you are when it comes to streaming media, you may know that many video creators publish content to different platforms. A basic example is a Twitch streamer who also publishes some footage on YouTube.
Keeping up with just a single creator may require following them on different platforms. Follow more and add more platforms and it can get complicated quickly.
Grayjay set out to fix this. It supports a good number of platforms already. Besides YouTube and Twitch, Grayjay supports PeerTube, Odysee, Kick, Patreon, Rumble, Nebula and SoundCloud. Support for Subscribestar is under development already and there is a good chance that more platforms are added in the future.
The app does not require an account. Since it supports the downloading of videos, it is not available on Google Play. You may download it for Android from the developer website.
One effect of using Grayjay is that you can watch videos without ads. While you can block ads on YouTube and other platforms, it is another benefit of using the app.
Using Grayjay
YouTube is the only source by default. You may change that with a click on Sources and the selection of one or multiple sources. All of these are shown in the main interface. The developer notes that adding more sources may impact loading times, as videos from different platforms need to be loaded.
Tap on any video to play it right then and there in Grayjay. This is useful already, especially since Grayjay supports a queue, custom playlists and watch later functionality. The option to download any video is also provided. The downloads menu lists options to change the quality of the video before downloading it.
The main feature of Grayjay is its follow option. You may subscribe (follow) on any video page or by selecting the channel name. Options to enable notifications and follow only streams or videos are provided.
You need to subscribe to sources individually. There is no option at the moment to select a creator and follow them on all platforms that they publish or stream on.
Still, this is one time process to follow creators on multiple platforms. You may create groups for subscriptions to improve organization. Options include creating groups for individual creators or themed groups based on interests.
The app supports imports and exports of data. This allows you to share subscriptions across multiple devices or migrate subscriptions to new devices.
Verdict
Grayjay appears to be free to use at the moment. The app is open source and you may access the source on Gitlab. There is a “buy” link under “more” in the app that is asking for a payment of €9.99 plus tax. Several developers work fulltime on the app according to the page. The developers hope that enough users find their app useful to pay for it and make it sustainable.
Grayjay works well already. It would benefit from additional features, including the ability to follow a creator on all platforms with just a tap. While that may be difficult to automate, it could maintain a database of developer accounts on various platforms and use crowdsourcing to maintain it.
All in all, it is an interesting app that shows a lot of promise.
Microsoft has renamed its browser for Android recently to Microsoft Edge: AI Browser. The browser is getting an infusion of Copilot and AI features. One of the latest is the Copilot Toolbar.
Available in Microsoft Edge Canary only at the time of writing, it is designed to give users even quicker access to Copilot.
Copilot is the main term that Microsoft uses for AI in its products. There is Windows Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and a large number of other Copilots. There is even a standalone Microsoft Copilot app for Android.
The mobile Edge browser supports Copilot already. Since it is the “AI browser”, it ships with Copilot included. This base version works similarly to Copilot on the web, but there are a few differences.
A tap on the prominent Copilot button opens the interface. You may use it to get a summary of the active webpage or communicate with the AI using text or voice input.
The Copilot Toolbar in Microsoft Edge: AI Browser
The Copilot Toolbar shows up at the bottom of webpages. It is placed on top of the main Edge toolbar.
It features two options currently: summarize and “ask me about this page”. Both open the main Copilot interface on selection. The first summarizes the webpage, the second offers information about the content on the page.
The toolbar feels a bit out of place. A tap on the Copilot button opens the interface of the AI as well. There you may also tap on the summary option to get it.
The toolbar saves you a single click. It is not overly useful. Microsoft, on the other hand, gets more eyes on Copilot.
The Copilot Toolbar offers some options. Tap on the three-dots next to it to get them. You may disable the toolbar “once”, “on this site” or “globally” using the menu.
Enable the Copilot Toolbar in Edge
The new toolbar is only available in Microsoft Edge Canary for Android. You need to enable it, as it is provided as an experimental flag only at this time:
Make sure Microsoft Edge Canary is up to date.
Load edge://flags in the browser’s address bar.
Search for Copilot Toolbar.
Set the status of the feature to Enabled.
Restart Microsoft Edge.
The toolbar shows up automatically on webpages and when PDF documents are loaded.
Closing Words
Microsoft pushes AI into all of its products. Some of the integrations feel like tests, to see what works and what does not. Copilot Toolbar is one of these. It does not offer much in terms of functionality.
The summary function is supported already. Considering that it takes a few seconds or sometimes more to get the AI to generate the summary, it may sometimes be faster to read the article by yourself.
This may not be true for very long articles, but it is necessary to verify the information the AI provides anyway.
Starting with apps in the VPN category, Google’s Play Store is soon highlighting apps with independent security reviews.
The company announced the change on the official Google Security blog. Google Android users who visit Google Play to browse for apps may open the data safety section for security and privacy information.
There, they will soon find the new independent security review label. Google plans to roll this out to apps in the VPN category first.
Google explains that VPN apps handle “sensitive and significant amount(s) of user data”. This makes them an excellent category to introduce the functionality.
Independent Security Reviews banner on Google Play
A new Independent Security Review banner is already displayed to Android users who search for VPN apps on Google Play. The banner, displayed beneath a list of advertisement for VPN apps, informs users about the security feature.
The banner lists the associated badge and includes the following description:
VPN apps with this badge in the Data safety section have been independently validated against a global security standard.
A link opens the website of the App Defense Alliance that lists all VPN apps with the badge. Only eight VPN apps are on the list currently. They are:
Aloha Browser + Private VPN
ExpressVPN: VPN Fast & Secure
Google One
NordVPN: private & secure VPN
Private Internet Access VPN
SkyVPN – Fast Secure VPN
Tomato VPN | VPN Proxy
vpnify – Unlimited VPN Proxy
A tap on any app and the selection of Data safety displays the new badge, provided that the app has undergone the security validation by App Defense Alliance’s global security standard. Those without it have not, but that does not mean that they have not passed other security audits.
What this means
Google highlights VPN apps that have passed the security validation on Google Play. The badge is not displayed on the apps’ main page, however, and it is easily overlooked in the data safety section.
Apps that passed validation meet “industry mobile security and privacy minimum best practices” according to Google. The badge does not “imply that a product is free of vulnerabilities” though.
To sum it up: the badge highlights that apps have passed independent security reviews, which is a good thing. Other apps, without the badge, may also have passed security audits. Some of these audits may have been more thorough than the one required to get the badge on Google Play.
Verdict
The new badge is a welcome addition to Google Play as it may help users pick a VPN app. While there are other criteria, such as features and performance, security is without doubt important.
That Google displays ads for VPN apps before the Independent Security Reviews badge is a problem. The listing in Data Safety makes sense, but Google might want to consider adding the badge to an application’s main page as well.
All in all, it is a welcome addition on Google Play. Users may still want to research VPN providers before installing any of them on their Android devices.
Now You: do you use VPN apps on your mobile devices?
Google Android 14 is now available. This article looks at the main changes of the mobile operating system. The new version is in distribution already; Google Pixel owners are the first to receive the update.
Other device manufacturers will release updates for supported devices starting later this year.
Android 14: security improvements
One of the main changes of the new mobile operating system is that it blocks the installation of (very) old apps. Apps created for Android 5.1 or older can’t be installed anymore on new Android 14 devices anymore. The change does not affect old apps installed already on a device that gets upgraded to the new Android version. These remain available and users may run them like before.
Attempts to install old apps however will be blocked. Google explains that it implemented the change to block malicious apps. To better understand the logic, it is important to understand a core concept of Android.
Developers may target specific versions of Android for their apps. Older versions of Android may support different security features and features in general. Apps that target still run fine on modern Android devices, but security features may be limited, if introduced in a later version of the operating system. Malware developers use this to bypass certain security features on Android.
Block installation of apps targeting older SDK versions – To protect against malware that targets older API levels to bypass security and privacy protections, apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 cannot be installed on Android 14.
The new Credential Manager supports multiple sign-in methods, including passkeys and federated sign-in solutions.
Privacy changes
A new privacy option in Android 14 allows users to give apps access to some photos or videos only. Previous versions of Android supported only full access, even if only a single photo or video needed to be shared.
Google confirms the change on its Android Developers blog:
The new “select photos” option gives users full control over the apps’ access. Apps only get access to the selected photos or videos, if the option is selected.
Another welcome change informs Android users about an application’s permissions or privacy changes. A popup is displayed that informs users about the changes the developer made. Android 13 and earlier did not inform users about the changes, unless the developer displayed a message directly.
Users who enter a PIN to unlock their device may notice that the PIN is accepted right away without having to tap on the OK button first. This button is removed, if the PIN is six digits or more. There is also a new option in Settings to turn of animations when entering a PIN.
New Media features
Android 14 adds support for Ultra HDR for images. The format is backwards compatible with JPEG according to Google.
The new Android version supports lossless USB audio, which allows Android users to experience these formats over USB wired headsets.
Last but not least, Camera extensions support new features that allow apps to “handle longer processing times, enabling improved images using compute-intensive algorithms like low-light photography on supported devices”.
Android 14: Customization improvements
The new Android version ships with new customization features, e.g., new language and font display options.
One of the most important changes is the ability to scale the font size up to 200%. This is an increase of 70% when compared to the maximum font scale size of Google Pixel devices on Android 13.
Android uses a non-linear font scaling curve to “ensure that text that is already large enough doesn’t increase at the same rate as smaller text”.
If you happen to miss a lot of notifications on your device, you may find the following change useful. Android may use the device’s flash to announce notifications.
Called Flash Notifications, it gives you the choice to announce notifications using the camera’s flash, the display flash, or both.
Other Android 14 changes
Battery life is improving as internal processes are more efficient now.
Additional battery information is found under “Settings > About Phone > Battery information. This includes the manufacturing date and cycle count.
Applications can only kill their own background processes.
Health Connect receives updates via Google Play.
Closing Words
Android 14 introduces several important changes, for instance the credential manager, improved privacy when sharing photos or videos, or information when apps change permissions or privacy policies.
It will take some time before non-Google device manufacturers push the update to their devices.
Cursed Treasure 2 is the successor of the popular Cursed Treasure game by Iriysoft. It is a well-designed tower defense game that is available for mobile platforms, Steam and also as a web-based version.
A word on ads and in-game monetization
Cursed Treasure 2 is a game that is light on ads, at least when it comes to the Android and web-based versions, which I played. There are no ads during gameplay or even after levels. You may watch an ad to double the experience gained in a level, but that is about it and completely optional.
An option to make a purchase to remove all ads is provided, but it is unclear how much it costs. Users may want to stay away from that option because of that.
Cursed Treasure 2: the Game
Cursed Treasure 2 follows the main game philosophy of most tower defense games. Players place towers on the map that attack rushing waves of enemies. The main goal of the game is to prevent the enemies from reaching your treasure and stealing all the gems. It is game over for the map when enemies manage to steal them all.
The game lets players place towers nearly everywhere. Some locations are blocked, but the majority aren’t. The three core towers, Den, Temple and Crypt attack enemies with arrows, fire and magic. These can be upgraded and different paths become available for towers. The Temple tower, for example, can be upgraded to shoot two fire beams at enemies or unleash an area of attack damage regularly.
Towers gain experience when they shoot at enemies. Once they reach a certain threshold, they may be upgraded. Upgrading makes them stronger, e.g., by increasing damage or abilities.
The two core currencies in the game are money and mana. Money is used to build and upgrade towers, and to influence some of the independent buildings on the map. Mana is used to influence other buildings and used for spell casting.
Experience points and skills
Players earn experience points while playing the game. They need to complete a level or fail to earn experience.
Experience is used to level up and this awards players with skill points. These points are invested into the three skill trees Orcs, Undead and Demons, which correspond to the three core tower types Den, Crypt and Temple.
Skills fall into several groups. Some improve mana or gold during game start or while performing certain actions in the game. Ancestral Wisdom, for instance, adds 30 mana at start for each invested skill points, which is a lot.
Another group of skills makes placing towers, upgrading towers, cutting trees or casting mana cheaper or more rewarding.
A third group increases random rewards that defeated enemies may drop. The fourth and final group increase damage output. Any invested skill gives the corresponding tower a bonus, such as faster recharge times or increased range.
Spellcasting
Spellcasting plays an import role in the game. Player spells are limited to just two and certain items. The two spells are Meteor and Terror.
Meteor fires a a blazing rock from the sky on the designated target location, hitting all enemies in range. It can be improved with skills, so that it leaves a smoldering pool on the ground that damages enemies who step on it.
Terror frightens enemies in range. Frightened enemies move back the path for as long as they are frightened. Another positive effect of casting terror is that negative effects are removed from towers and that they are protected from effects for three seconds.
Items play a big part as well. There are three scrolls that enemies may drop. Players may activate the scrolls at any time with a tap or click to cast their spell. The spells are polymorph, which transforms enemies into chicken, stasis, which keeps them in place, and thunder, which damages them with lightning.
Enemies may drop coins, mana potions or skulls. Coins and potions give the player money or mana. Skulls allow players to cheat. They may be used to gain lots of gold or mana, return all gems to the treasure or wreak havoc on all enemies on the screen.
The enemies
A tower defense game would be nothing without a good assortment of enemies.
Cursed Treasure 2 delivers in this area. It distinguishes between regular enemies, champions and bosses. Regular enemies range from peasants and guards to enemies with special abilities.
Valkyries can fly over water and lakes, monks heal enemies and paladins are immune to most magic. There is a good variety of regular enemies and the level designers have done a good job at creating the levels and enemy waves.
Champions are special enemies that have more health and usually special abilities as well. The Templar, for instance can’t be frightened, is protected against evil magic and has a spell that halves damage and fire rate of nearby towers.
Bosses are even tougher enemies and they almost always have one or multiple abilities. The General, for instance, is protected by armor, may summon knights and Valkyries, may give mass magic armor to allies and has a final rush ability that breaks the armor but increases the speed of the General.
Gameplay and story
If there is one area in which Cursed Treasure 2 fails to deliver, it is the story. A dark overlord has set sight on the treasures of the kingdom, and it is the player’s task to protect the gems from the evil creature.
Each map adds a bit to the story, but most players may skip reading these altogether, as they don’t miss much.
Gameplay, on the other hand, is excellent. Players who like Tower Defense games will enjoy this game. It is well designed, but never unfair. Some maps may look impossible on first try, at least when it comes to protecting all gems, but all it may take is to add a few more points into skills.
Steam gamers may play it on Steam, but it costs $4.99 on the platform.
Cursed Treasure 2 Verdict
Cursed Treasure 2 is an excellent tower defense game. You need to like the genre to enjoy it, but if you do, you will certainly have hours of fun playing it.
It is quick to jump in and play a map, which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The game explains some of its concepts during the first levels, which may help new players understand core game mechanics.
