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  • 5 Great Cocktail and Drink Apps

    5 Great Cocktail and Drink Apps


    Martinis, mojitos, merlots, and more. Whether a fancy cocktail or tasty wine is your favorite, these drink apps will have you blending, mixing, and uncorking in no time.

    Untappd

    Untappd is a social discovery and check-in network for anyone that enjoys beer. It gives you the ability to easily find nearby craft beers and bars, see what beers are trending, as well as see where your friends are drinking.

    Check out the personalized recommendations and use Untappd to find the nearest location you can get the beer you want. Once you’ve got that delicious beer in your hand, use Untappd to track, rate, take a photo, and share it with all your friends. As you explore more beer styles and locations, you will uncover a variety of badges.

    Only for the iPhone, the app is a free download.

    Drinks and Cocktails

    Let’s face it. A good amount of these cocktail apps can be quite overwhelming with their massive databases of thousands of drinks. Some of the instructions on recipes don’t even make sense. Drinks and Cocktails prides itself on simplicity.

    With that being said, it is not for everyone. Some would complain that it is too simple. Thankfully the app’s interface isn’t cluttered or tacky-colored. It is quite appealing to the eyes and the developer has also handpicks and edits each recipe so you aren’t confused or taken back with the bartender jargon.

    It’s a great iPhone app and best of all, it’s free.

    Vivino

    Wine aficionados definitely need to try Vivino. You can find information about wine from an unbiased community. You can take a photo of any wine label or restaurant wine list. It’s also possible to search by wine. The app will then show the app’s rating, reviews, price, tasting notes, and suggested food pairings. You can also purchase your favorite bottles through the app.

    Save all your bottles in the app’s cellar so you can see what you have on hand. The app’s database has more than 13 million wines from more than 230,000 wineries.

    The app is free for the iPhone.

    BeerMenus

    Find places selling the beers you love or those you want to try. Browse up-to-date beer menus for bars, restaurants, and beer stores nearby. Follow your beers and get notified when they become available nearby. Follow bars and restaurants to get notified when they change their beer menu.

    Log the beers you drink to keep track of them and easily find your favorites. Find places selling beers you’ve been wanting to try. It’s a free iPhone app.

    Cheers!

    Always create a perfect cocktail with Cheers. You can easily input the ingredients you have on hand and see what you can make right now. There is also a large catalog of drones that you can narrow down by category or even by excluding ingredients you don’t like.

    You can even add you own cocktail to the database for all users to enjoy.

    The app is a free download for both the iPhone and all iPad models.



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  • Top 3 updates for building excellent, adaptive apps at Google I/O ‘25



    Posted by Mozart Louis – Developer Relations Engineer

    Today, Android is launching a few updates across the platform! This includes the start of Android 16’s rollout, with details for both developers and users, a Developer Preview for enhanced Android desktop experiences with connected displays, and updates for Android users across Google apps and more, plus the June Pixel Drop. We’re also recapping all the Google I/O updates for Android developers focused on building excellent, adaptive Android apps.

    Google I/O 2025 brought exciting advancements to Android, equipping you with essential knowledge and powerful tools you need to build outstanding, user-friendly applications that stand out.

    If you missed any of the key #GoogleIO25 updates and just saw the release of Android 16 or you’re ready to dive into building excellent adaptive apps, our playlist is for you. Learn how to craft engaging experiences with Live Updates in Android 16, capture video effortlessly with CameraX, process it efficiently using Media3’s editing tools, and engage users across diverse platforms like XR, Android for Cars, Android TV, and Desktop.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiYHuY3hiZc

    Check out the Google I/O playlist for all the session details.

    Here are three key announcements directly influencing how you can craft deeply engaging experiences and truly connect with your users:

    #1: Build adaptively to unlock 500 million devices

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15oPNK1W0Tw

    In today’s diverse device ecosystem, users expect their favorite applications to function seamlessly across various form factors, including phones, tablets, Chromebooks, automobiles, and emerging XR glasses and headsets. Our recommended approach for developing applications that excel on each of these surfaces is to create a single, adaptive application. This strategy avoids the need to rebuild the application for every screen size, shape, or input method, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience across all devices.

    The talk emphasizes that you don’t need to rebuild apps for each form factor. Instead, small, iterative changes can unlock an app’s potential.

    Here are some resources we encourage you to use in your apps:

    New feature support in Jetpack Compose Adaptive Libraries

      • We’re continuing to make it as easy as possible to build adaptively with Jetpack Compose Adaptive Libraries. with new features in 1.1 like pane expansion and predictive back. By utilizing canonical layout patterns such as List Detail or Supporting Pane layouts and integrating your app code, your application will automatically adjust and reflow when resized.

    Navigation 3

      • The alpha release of the Navigation 3 library now supports displaying multiple panes. This eliminates the need to alter your navigation destination setup for separate list and detail views. Instead, you can adjust the setup to concurrently render multiple destinations when sufficient screen space is available.

    Updates to Window Manager Library

      • AndroidX.window 1.5 introduces two new window size classes for expanded widths, facilitating better layout adaptation for large tablets and desktops. A width of 1600dp or more is now categorized as “extra large,” while widths between 1200dp and 1600dp are classified as “large.” These subdivisions offer more granularity for developers to optimize their applications for a wider range of window sizes.

    Support all orientations and be resizable

    Extend to Android XR

    Upgrade your Wear OS apps to Material 3 Design

    You should build a single, adaptive mobile app that brings the best experiences to all Android surfaces. By building adaptive apps, you meet users where they are today and in the future, enhancing user engagement and app discoverability. This approach represents a strategic business decision that optimizes an app’s long-term success.

    #2: Enhance your app’s performance optimization

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNpcrCSDiI

    Get ready to take your app’s performance to the next level! Google I/O 2025, brought an inside look at cutting-edge tools and techniques to boost user satisfaction, enhance technical performance metrics, and drive those all-important key performance indicators. Imagine an end-to-end workflow that streamlines performance optimization.

    Redesigned UiAutomator API

      • To make benchmarking reliable and reproducible, there’s the brand new UiAutomator API. Write robust test code and run it on your local devices or in Firebase Test Lab, ensuring consistent results every time.

    Macrobenchmarks

      • Once your tests are in place, it’s time to measure and understand. Macrobenchmarks give you the hard data, while App Startup Insights provide actionable recommendations for improvement. Plus, you can get a quick snapshot of your app’s health with the App Performance Score via DAC. These tools combined give you a comprehensive view of your app’s performance and where to focus your efforts.

    R8, More than code shrinking and obfuscation

      • You might know R8 as a code shrinking tool, but it’s capable of so much more! The talk dives into R8’s capabilities using the “Androidify” sample app. You’ll see how to apply R8, troubleshoot any issues (like crashes!), and configure it for optimal performance. It’ll also be shown how library developers can include “consumer Keep rules” so that their important code is not touched when used in an application.

    #3: Build Richer Image and Video Experiences

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zXVPU2vKXs

    In today’s digital landscape, users increasingly expect seamless content creation capabilities within their apps. To meet this demand, developers require robust tools for building excellent camera and media experiences.

    Media3Effects in CameraX Preview

      • At Google I/O, developers delve into practical strategies for capturing high-quality video using CameraX, while simultaneously leveraging the Media3Effects on the preview.

    Google Low-Light Boost

      • Google Low Light Boost in Google Play services enables real-time dynamic camera brightness adjustment in low light, even without device support for Low Light Boost AE Mode.

    New Camera & Media Samples!

    Learn more about how CameraX & Media3 can accelerate your development of camera and media related features.

    Learn how to build adaptive apps

    Want to learn more about building excellent, adaptive apps? Watch this playlist to learn more about all the session details.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries



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  • A product manager’s guide to adapting Android apps across devices



    Posted by Fahd Imtiaz, Product Manager, Android Developer Experience

    Today, Android is launching a few updates across the platform! This includes the start of Android 16’s rollout, with details for both developers and users, a Developer Preview for enhanced Android desktop experiences with connected displays, and updates for Android users across Google apps and more, plus the June Pixel Drop. We’re also recapping all the Google I/O updates for Android developers focused on building excellent, adaptive Android apps.

    With new form factors emerging continually, the Android ecosystem is more dynamic than ever.

    From phones and foldables to tablets, Chromebooks, TVs, cars, Wear and XR, Android users expect their apps to run seamlessly across an increasingly diverse range of form factors. Yet, many Android apps fall short of these expectations as they are built with UI constraints such as being locked to a single orientation or restricted in resizability.

    With this in mind, Android 16 introduced API changes for apps targeting SDK level 36 to ignore orientation and resizability restrictions starting with large screen devices, shifting toward a unified model where adaptive apps are the norm. This is the moment to move ahead. Adaptive apps aren’t just the future of Android, they’re the expectation for your app to stand out across Android form factors.

    Why you should prioritize adaptive now

    500+ devices including foldables, tablets, Chromebooks, and mobile-app capable cars

    Source: internal Google data

    Prioritizing optimizations to make your app adaptive isn’t just about keeping up with the orientation and resizability API changes in Android 16 for apps targeting SDK 36. Adaptive apps unlock tangible benefits across user experience, development efficiency, and market reach.

      • Mobile apps can now reach users on over 500 million active large screen devices: Mobile apps run on foldables, tablets, Chromebooks, and even compatible cars, with minimal changes. Android 16 will introduce significant advancements in desktop windowing for a true desktop-like experience on large screens, including connected displays. And Android XR opens a new dimension, allowing your existing apps to be available in immersive environments. The user expectation is clear: a consistent, high-quality experience that intelligently adapts to any screen – be it a foldable, a tablet with a keyboard, or a movable, resizable window on a Chromebook.

      • “The new baseline” with orientation and resizability API changes in Android 16: We believe mobile apps are undergoing a shift to have UI adapt responsively to any screen size, just like websites. Android 16 will ignore app-defined restrictions like fixed orientation (portrait-only) and non-resizable windows, beginning with large screens (smallest width of the device is >= 600dp) including tablets and inner displays on foldables. For most apps, it’s key to helping them stretch to any screen size. In some cases if your app isn’t adaptive, it could deliver a broken user experience on these screens. This moves adaptive design from a nice-to-have to a foundational requirement.

    Side by side displays of non-adaptive app UI with on the left with text reading Goodbye 'mobile-only' apps and adaptive app UI on the right with text reads Hello adaptive apps

      • Increase user reach and app discoverability in Play: Adaptive apps are better positioned to be ranked higher in Play, and featured in editorial articles across form factors, reaching a wider audience across Play search and homepages. Additionally, Google Play Store surfaces ratings and reviews across all form factors. If your app is not optimized, a potential user’s first impression might be tainted by a 1-star review complaining about a stretched UI on a device they don’t even own yet. Users are also more likely to engage with apps that provide a great experience across their devices.
      • Increased engagement on large screens: Users on large screen devices often have different interaction patterns. On large screens, users may engage for longer sessions, perform more complex tasks, and consume more content.

        • Concepts saw a 70% increase in user engagement on large screens after optimizing.

        Usage for 6 major media streaming apps in the US was up to 3x more for tablet and phone users, as compared to phone only users.

      • More accessible app experiences: According to the World Bank, 15% of the world’s population has some type of disability. People with disabilities depend on apps and services that support accessibility to communicate, learn, and work. Matching the user’s preferred orientation improves the accessibility of applications, helping to create an inclusive experience for all.

    Today, most apps are building for smartphones only

    A display of varying Android form factors, including a tablet, a desktop monitor, a laptop, a large-screen mobile, hand-held device, and an in-car app screen

    “…looking at the number of users, the ROI does not justify the investment”.

    That’s a frequent pushback from product managers and decision-makers, and if you’re just looking at top-line analytics comparing the number of tablet sessions to smartphone sessions, it might seem like a closed case.

    While top-line analytics might show lower session numbers on tablets compared to smartphones, concluding that large screens aren’t worth the effort based solely on current volume can be a trap, causing you to miss out on valuable engagement and future opportunities.

    Let’s take a deeper look into why:

        1. The user experience ‘chicken and egg’ loop: Is it possible that the low usage is a symptom rather than the root cause? Users are quick to abandon apps that feel clunky or broken. If your app on large screens is a stretched-out phone interface, the app likely provides a negative user experience. The lack of users might reflect the lack of a good experience, not always necessarily lack of potential users.

        2. Beyond user volume, look at user engagement: Don’t just count users, analyze their worth. Users interact with apps on large screens differently. The large screen often leads to longer sessions and more immersive experiences. As mentioned above, usage data shows that engagement time increases significantly for users who interact with apps on both their phone and tablet, as compared to phone only users.

        3. Market evolution: The Android device ecosystem is continuing to evolve. With the rise of foldables, upcoming connected displays support in Android 16, and form factors like XR and Android Auto, adaptive design is now more critical than ever. Building for a specific screen size creates technical debt, and may slow your development velocity and compromise the product quality in the long run.

    Okay, I am convinced. Where do I start?

    A three-step workflow outlines how to optimize your Android app to be adaptive

    For organizations ready to move forward, Android offers many resources and developer tools to optimize apps to be adaptive. See below for how to get started:

        1.Check how your app looks on large screens today: Begin by looking at your app’s current state on tablets, foldables (in different postures), Chromebooks, and environments like desktop windowing. Confirm if your app is available on these devices or if you are unintentionally leaving out these users by requiring unnecessary features within your app.

        2. Address common UI issues: Assess what feels awkward in your app UI today. We have a lot of guidance available on how you can easily translate your mobile app to other screens.

            a. Check the Large screens design gallery for inspiration and understanding how your app UI can evolve across devices using proven solutions to common UI challenges.

            b. Start with quick wins. For example, prevent buttons from stretching to the full screen width, or switch to a vertical navigation bar on large screens to improve ergonomics.

            c. Identify patterns where canonical layouts (e.g. list-detail) could solve any UI awkwardness you identified. Could a list-detail view improve your app’s navigation? Would a supporting pane on the side make better use of the extra space than a bottom sheet?

        3. Optimize your app incrementally, screen by screen: It may be helpful to prioritize how you approach optimization because not everything needs to be perfectly adaptive on day one. Incrementally improve your app based on what matters most – it’s not all or nothing.

            a. Start with the foundations. Check out the large screen app quality guidelines which tier and prioritize the fixes that are most critical to users. Remove orientation restrictions to support portrait and landscape, and ensure support for resizability (for when users are in split screen), and prevent major stretching of buttons, text fields, and images. These foundational fixes are critical, especially with API changes in Android 16 that will make these aspects even more important.

            b. Implement adaptive layout optimizations with a focus on core user journeys or screens first.

                i. Identify screens where optimizations (for example a two-pane layout) offer the biggest UX win

            c. Support input methods beyond touch, including keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and stylus input. With new form factors and connected displays support, this sets users up to interact with your UI seamlessly.

            d. Add differentiating hero user experiences like support for tabletop mode or dual-screen mode on foldables. This can happen on a per-use-case basis – for example, tabletop mode is great for watching videos, and dual screen mode is great for video calls.

    While there’s an upfront investment in adopting adaptive principles (using tools like Jetpack Compose and window size classes), the long-term payoff may be significant. By designing and building features once, and letting them adapt across screen sizes, the benefits outweigh the cost of creating multiple bespoke layouts. Check out the adaptive apps developer guidance for more.

    Unlock your app’s potential with adaptive app design

    The message for my fellow product managers, decision-makers, and businesses is clear: adaptive design will uplevel your app for high-quality Android experiences in 2025 and beyond. An adaptive, responsive UI is the scalable way to support the many devices in Android without developing on a per-form factor basis. If you ignore the diverse device ecosystem of foldables, tablets, Chromebooks, and emerging form factors like XR and cars, your business is accepting hidden costs from negative user reviews, lower discovery in Play, increased technical debt, and missed opportunities for increased user engagement and user acquisition.

    Maximize your apps’ impact and unlock new user experiences. Learn more about building adaptive apps today.



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  • 5 Best Learning Apps for Toddlers on Apple TV

    5 Best Learning Apps for Toddlers on Apple TV


    Endless Learning Academy for Apple TV provides thousands of lively animations for teaching children ages 2 to 6. With reading, spelling, numbers, and more, there are 10 trial activities and five lessons available for free.

    With Endless Learning Academy your kids will enjoy the colorful and adorable monsters who help them learn. The app is both subject-based and progress-based to assist with early learning. Topics include colors and shapes, emotions and feelings, plants and animals, and much more. So, as they are learning their ABC’s and 123’s, they will be able to relate it all to real life. The interactive animations and cute characters will keep them both entertained and amused while they learn.

    Learning really can be fun for kids and the Endless Learning Academy for Apple TV is a terrific tool. With plenty of topics, thousands of activities, and a bright and cheery experience, your children will love it.

    The free app is also available on the iPhone and iPad. There is a subscription required.



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  • 5 Great Apple TV Apps for Kids

    5 Great Apple TV Apps for Kids


    This is my Spacecraft – Rocket Science for Kids is an experience for Apple TV that shows kids what it is like to be an astronaut. The app has facts about the space science, an intuitive interface, and is suitable for all ages.

    Who hasn’t dreamt of being an astronaut? This is my Spacecraft – Rocket Science for Kids lets your children see what it is like to fly through space. They will see how astronauts eat and sleep, learn fun facts about space and the solar system, and explore the vast universe in all its glory on Apple TV. With original illustrations, relaxed play, and entertaining learning, this is a terrific app for the big screen.

    For the Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, the app is $2.99.



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  • Best New Apps of May 2025

    Best New Apps of May 2025


    Before we head into summer, it’s time to take a look at some of the best apps that arrived in May.

    Our top choice is a top-notch AI-powered notebook from Google.

    See our entire list here.



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  • Get 8 Microsoft Office Apps For One Low Price

    Get 8 Microsoft Office Apps For One Low Price


    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    According to Forbes, entrepreneurs spend 36% of their time handling administrative duties. If you’d like some help in that department, consider leaning on some classic apps. A lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows gives you eight apps to work with, and right now it’s on sale for just $49.97 (reg. $219.99) through June 1.

    Get the classic Microsoft Office experience with a modern discount

    This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license outfits your PC with eight helpful apps to tackle your work tasks, all for one low price. Knock out budgets and other spreadsheets with Excel, whip up a presentation for your morning meeting with PowerPoint, and send out email updates via Outlook.

    You’ll also get access to the classic Word app and newer additions like Access, Teams, OneNote, and Publisher. This lifetime license gives you permanent access, so you get them all for less than $7 each and there are no monthly subscription fees required.

    Don’t be concerned about the older 2021 version; it actually has some perks over the newer editions. This version lets you work with familiar interfaces without AI integrations. You can also work offline more easily, as you download all the apps to your device and don’t have to worry about being connected to the cloud.

    Note: Your PC needs to be updated to Windows 10 or 11 to be compatible. It’s also recommended that you have 1GB of RAM free.

    Grab your own lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just $49.97 (reg. $219.99) now through June 1.

    StackSocial prices subject to change.

    According to Forbes, entrepreneurs spend 36% of their time handling administrative duties. If you’d like some help in that department, consider leaning on some classic apps. A lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows gives you eight apps to work with, and right now it’s on sale for just $49.97 (reg. $219.99) through June 1.

    Get the classic Microsoft Office experience with a modern discount

    This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license outfits your PC with eight helpful apps to tackle your work tasks, all for one low price. Knock out budgets and other spreadsheets with Excel, whip up a presentation for your morning meeting with PowerPoint, and send out email updates via Outlook.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



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  • Build adaptive Android apps that shine across form factors



    Posted by Fahd Imtiaz – Product Manager, Android Developer

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15oPNK1W0Tw

    If your app isn’t built to adapt, you’re missing out on the opportunity to reach a giant swath of users across 500 million devices! At Google I/O this year, we are exploring how adaptive development isn’t just a good idea, but essential to building apps that shine across the expanding Android device ecosystem. This is your guide to meeting users wherever they are, with experiences that are perfectly tailored to their needs.

    The advantage of building adaptive

    In today’s multi-device world, users expect their favorite applications to work flawlessly and intuitively, whether they’re on a smartphone, tablet, or Chromebook. This expectation for seamless experiences isn’t just about convenience; it’s an important factor for user engagement and retention.

    For example, entertainment apps (including Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu) users on both phone and tablet spend almost 200% more time in-app (nearly 3x engagement) than phone-only users in the US*.

    Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service has seen a trend of users moving between mobile and large screens and building adaptively enables a single build to work across the different form factors.

    “This allows Peacock to have more time to innovate faster and deliver more value to its customers.”

    – Diego Valente, Head of Mobile, Peacock and Global Streaming

    Adaptive Android development offers the strategic solution, enabling apps to perform effectively across an expanding array of devices and contexts through intelligent design choices that emphasize code reuse and scalability. With Android’s continuous growth into new form factors and upcoming enhancements such as desktop windowing and connected displays in Android 16, an app’s ability to seamlessly adapt to different screen sizes is becoming increasingly crucial for retaining users and staying competitive.

    Beyond direct user benefits, designing adaptively also translates to increased visibility. The Google Play Store actively helps promote developers whose apps excel on different form factors. If your application delivers a great experience on tablets or is excellent on ChromeOS, users on those devices will have an easier time discovering your app. This creates a win-win situation: better quality apps for users and a broader audience for you.

    examples of form factors across small phones, tablets, laoptops, and auto

    Latest in adaptive Android development from Google I/O

    To help you more effectively build compelling adaptive experiences, we shared several key updates at I/O this year.

    Build for the expanding Android device ecosystem

    Your mobile apps can now reach users beyond phones on over 500 million active devices, including foldables, tablets, Chromebooks, and even compatible cars, with minimal changes. Android 16 introduces significant advancements in desktop windowing for a true desktop-like experience on large screens and when devices are connected to external displays. And, Android XR is opening a new dimension, allowing your existing mobile apps to be available in immersive virtual environments.

    The mindset shift to Adaptive

    With the expanding Android device ecosystem, adaptive app development is a fundamental strategy. It’s about how the same mobile app runs well across phones, foldables, tablets, Chromebooks, connected displays, XR, and cars, laying a strong foundation for future devices and differentiating for specific form factors. You don’t need to rebuild your app for each form factor; but rather make small, iterative changes, as needed, when needed. Embracing this adaptive mindset today isn’t just about keeping pace; it’s about leading the charge in delivering exceptional user experiences across the entire Android ecosystem.

    examples of form factors including vr headset

    Leverage powerful tools and libraries to build adaptive apps:

      • Compose Adaptive Layouts library: This library makes adaptive development easier by allowing your app code to fit into canonical layout patterns like list-detail and supporting pane, that automatically reflow as your app is resized, flipped or folded. In the 1.1 release, we introduced pane expansion, allowing users to resize panes. The Socialite demo app showcased how one codebase using this library can adapt across six form factors. New adaptation strategies like “Levitate” (elevating a pane, e.g., into a dialog or bottom sheet) and “Reflow” (reorganizing panes on the same level) were also announced in 1.2 (alpha). For XR, component overrides can automatically spatialize UI elements.

      • Jetpack Navigation 3 (Alpha): This new navigation library simplifies defining user journeys across screens with less boilerplate code, especially for multi-pane layouts in Compose. It helps handle scenarios where list and detail panes might be separate destinations on smaller screens but shown together on larger ones. Check out the new Jetpack Navigation library in alpha.

      • Jetpack Compose input enhancements: Compose’s layered architecture, strong input support, and single location for layout logic simplify creating adaptive UIs. Upcoming in Compose 1.9 are right-click context menus and enhanced trackpad/mouse functionality.

      • Window Size Classes: Use window size classes for top-level layout decisions. AndroidX.window 1.5 introduces two new width size classes – “large” (1200dp to 1600dp) and “extra-large” (1600dp and larger) – providing more granular breakpoints for large screens. This helps in deciding when to expand navigation rails or show three panes of content. Support for these new breakpoints was also announced in the Compose adaptive layouts library 1.2 alpha, along with design guidance.

      • Compose previews: Get quick feedback by visualizing your layouts across a wide variety of screen sizes and aspect ratios. You can also specify different devices by name to preview your UI on their respective sizes and with their inset values.

      • Testing adaptive layouts: Validating your adaptive layouts is crucial and Android Studio offers various tools for testing – including previews for different sizes and aspect ratios, a resizable emulator to test across different screen sizes with a single AVD, screenshot tests, and instrumental behavior tests. And with Journeys with Gemini in Android Studio, you can define tests using natural language for even more robust testing across different window sizes.

    Ensuring app availability across devices

    Avoid unnecessarily declaring required features (like specific cameras or GPS) in your manifest, as this can prevent your app from appearing in the Play Store on devices that lack those specific hardware components but could otherwise run your app perfectly.

    Handling different input methods

    Remember to handle various input methods like touch, keyboard, and mouse, especially with Chromebook detachables and connected displays.

    Prepare for orientation and resizability API changes in Android 16

    Beginning in Android 16, for apps targeting SDK 36, manifest and runtime restrictions on orientation, resizability, and aspect ratio will be ignored on displays that are at least 600dp in both dimensions. To meet user expectations, your apps will need layouts that work for both portrait and landscape windows, and support resizing at runtime. There’s a temporary opt-out manifest flag at both the application and activity level to delay these changes until targetSdk 37, and these changes currently do not apply to apps categorized as “Games”. Learn more about these API changes.

    Adaptive considerations for games

    Games need to be adaptive too and Unity 6 will add enhanced support for configuration handling, including APIs for screenshots, aspect ratio, and density. Success stories like Asphalt Legends Unite show significant user retention increases on foldables after implementing adaptive features.

    examples of form factors including vr headset

    Start building adaptive today

    Now is the time to elevate your Android apps, making them intuitively responsive across form factors. With the latest tools and updates we’re introducing, you have the power to build experiences that seamlessly flow across all devices, from foldables to cars and beyond. Implementing these strategies will allow you to expand your reach and delight users across the Android ecosystem.

    Get inspired by the “Adaptive Android development makes your app shine across devices” talk, and explore all the resources you’ll need to start your journey at developer.android.com/adaptive-apps!

    Explore this announcement and all Google I/O 2025 updates on io.google starting May 22.

    *Source: internal Google data



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  • Engage users on Google TV with excellent TV apps



    Posted by Shobana Radhakrishnan – Senior Director of Engineering, Google TV, and Paul Lammertsma – Developer Relations Engineer, Android

    Over the past year, Google TV and Android TV achieved over 270 million monthly active devices, establishing one of the largest smart TV OS footprints. Building on this momentum, we are excited to share new platform features and developer tools designed to help you increase app engagement with our expanding user base.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OosLbRBM9dA

    Google TV with Gemini capabilities

    Earlier this year, we announced that we’ll bring Gemini capabilities to Google TV, so users can speak more naturally and conversationally to find what to watch and get answers to complex questions.

    A user pulls up Gemini on a TV asking for kid-friendly movie recommendations similar to Jurassic Park. Gemini responds with several movie recommendations

    After each movie or show search, our new voice assistant will suggest relevant content from your apps, significantly increasing the discoverability of your content.

    A user pulls up Gemini on a TV asking for help explaining the solar system to a first grader. Gemini responds with YouTube videos to help explain the solar system

    Plus, users can easily ask questions about topics they’re curious about and receive insightful answers with supporting videos.

    We’re so excited to bring this helpful and delightful experience to users this fall.

    Video Discovery API

    Today, we’ve also opened partner enrollment for our Video Discovery API.

    Video Discovery optimizes Resumption, Entitlements, and Recommendations across all Google TV form factors to enhance the end-user experience and boost app engagement.

      • Resumption: Partners can now easily display a user’s paused video within the ‘Continue Watching’ row from the home screen. This row is a prime location that drives 60% of all user interactions on Google TV.
      • Entitlements: Video Discovery streamlines entitlement management, which matches app content to user eligibility. Users appreciate this because they can enjoy personalized recommendations without needing to manually update all their subscription details. This allows partners to connect with users across multiple discovery points on Google TV.
      • Recommendations: Video Discovery even highlights personalized content recommendations based on content that users watched inside apps.

    Partners can begin incorporating the Video Discovery API today, starting with resumption and entitlement integrations. Check out g.co/tv/vda to learn more.

    Jetpack Compose for TV

    Compose for TV 1.0 expands on the core and Material Compose libraries

    Last year, we launched Compose for TV 1.0 beta, which lets you build beautiful, adaptive UIs across Android, including Android TV OS.

    Now, Compose for TV 1.0 is stable, and expands on the core and Material Compose libraries. We’ve even seen how the latest release of Compose significantly improves app startup within our internal benchmarking mobile sample, with roughly a 20% improvement compared with the March 2024 release. Because Compose for TV builds upon these libraries, apps built with Compose for TV should also see better app startup times.

    New to building with Compose, and not sure where to start? Our updated Jetcaster audio streaming app sample demonstrates how to use Compose across form factors. It includes a dedicated module for playing podcasts on TV by combining separate view models with shared business logic.

    Focus Management Codelab

    We understand that focus management can be challenging at times. That’s why we’ve published a codelab that reviews how to set initial focus, prepare for unexpected focus traversal, and efficiently restore focus.

    Memory Optimization Guide

    We’ve released a comprehensive guide on memory optimization, including memory targets for low RAM devices as well. Combined with Android Studio’s powerful memory profiler, this helps you understand when your app exceeds those limits and why.

    In-App Ratings and Reviews

    Ratings and reviews entry point forJetStream sample app on TV

    Moreover, app ratings and reviews are essential for developers, offering quantitative and qualitative feedback on user experiences. Now, we’re extending the In-App Ratings and Reviews API to TV to allow developers to prompt users for ratings and reviews directly from Google TV. Check out our recent blog post detailing how to easily integrate the In-App Ratings and Reviews API.

    Android 16 for TV

    Android 16 for TV

    We’re excited to announce the upcoming release of Android 16 for TV. Developers can begin using the latest beta today. With Android 16, TV developers can access several great features:

      • Platform support for the Eclipsa Audio codec enables creators to use the IAMF spatial audio format. For ExoPlayer support that includes previous platform versions, see ExoPlayer’s IAMF decoder module.
      • There are various improvements to media playback speed, consistency and efficiency, as well as HDMI-CEC reliability and performance optimizations for 64-bit kernels.
      • Additional APIs and user experiences from Android 16 are also available. We invite you to explore the complete list from the Android 16 for TV release notes.

    What’s next

    We’re incredibly excited to see how these announcements will optimize your development journey, and look forward to seeing the fantastic apps you’ll launch on the platform!

    Explore this announcement and all Google I/O 2025 updates on io.google starting May 22.



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  • A Packing List of Apps to Download Before You Travel

    A Packing List of Apps to Download Before You Travel


    So you can whip together a weekend bag or fit a fortnight’s worth of outfits into a rolling suitcase, but does your status as “packing guru” extend to your phone or tablet? Think of your device as a second carry-on, with its own packing list of apps that are essential for entertainment, getting around, safety and more.

    “Everyone talks about making the super app, the one place for everything you need,” said Gilbert Ott, partnerships director at Point.me, a website that helps travelers manage loyalty points, “but no one has done it yet.” Until that super travel app exists, here are some suggested apps to download before you go.

    Public Wi-Fi networks like those in cafes and hotels may not be secure, so to keep criminals from intercepting passwords, credit card numbers and emails, “it’s better to encrypt your internet activity,” said Mr. Ott. One method to keep data secure is to download and use virtual private networks like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which encrypt your web doings. Both charge about $13 per month for a monthly plan, and about half that rate for a yearly plan. Another VPN provider, Mullvad, charges about $5.50 per month.

    It may be tempting to store copies of important documents like passports, health insurance cards and prescriptions on your phone as photos, but it’s more secure to use apps that encrypt that information, like 1Password (starting at $35.88 per year) and Microsoft OneDrive Personal Vault (included with a $99.99-per-year Microsoft 365 subscription or, for nonsubscribers, three files free storage).

    The U.S. government’s free Mobile Passport Control app can help U.S. citizens and some other groups — even travelers not in the Global Entry program — make their way through immigration and customs more quickly by scanning their passport into the app and adding a selfie within four hours of arrival. Preloading the information speeds your interaction with the officer.

    For detailed information on public transportation that can go beyond Google Maps, Moovit (free with ads or Moovit+ with additional features and no ads for $17.99 per year) and Citymapper (free with ads or $9.99 per year) can help with routes, fares and trip length around the world. In cities like New York and London, make sure you’ve loaded a credit or debit card in your digital wallet and set it up for transit to avoid lines by using touchless payment at turnstiles.

    In some countries, hailing a cab on the street may be difficult or unsafe. So where Uber and Lyft aren’t available, download local trusted ride-hailing apps that offer set fares and location tracking. In Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, for example, Grab offers rides in cars, taxis and on the backs of motorcycles. In India, Ola is a popular choice.

    For hours spent in planes, trains and hotel rooms, load your device with a mix of diversions and destination information. Taylor Beal, a travel blogger from Philadelphia, who leads high school groups on trips to Europe, recommends borrowing electronic library books using Libby and Hoopla. The apps are free but require a local library card from one of the more than 90,000 participating public libraries and schools.

    For road trips in the United States, the phone app Autio ($35.99 annually, with a free trial) offers 23,000 short stories and information about the surrounding landscape and history, based on your location. Offerings include Kevin Costner on the northern Great Plains and John Lithgow on “Footloose” filming locations.

    Keeping track of who paid for what among a group of friends can be a fun-killing chore. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst for Upgraded Points, recommends Splitwise Pro ($39.99 per year, or a limited free version), which tracks and divides up expenses for taxis, meals and more. Other apps like Tricount (free) and Settle Up (free, or $19.99 per year for the premium version) offer similar services.

    For tracking flights and making plans either solo or with companions, TripIt (free version or TripItPro $49 per year) and Wanderlog (free version or Wanderlog Pro for $39.99 per year) can tame even complicated itineraries.

    You may already have Google Translate on your device, but that app also has some lesser-known handy features. Point your camera at a foreign menu, train station sign or receipt, for example, and Google can translate it — even with non-Roman characters. The Conversation button in the app lets you pass your phone back and forth when you’re trying to get directions, order food, ask for help and more. You can even create a custom phrase book in the app.

    Bloomberg Connects has teamed up with more than 800 museums and other cultural spaces, like the New York Botanical Garden, around the world to offer free information on their exhibits, complementing local organizations like the Musée Carnavalet, a history museum in Paris, which often have institution-specific apps.

    Of course, there’s also always the good, old-fashioned way to travel — wandering around and letting serendipity take the lead. Is there an app for that, too?





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