Apps Archive

Andrew LiszewskiMar 31, 2025

You can now use your smartphone as a karaoke mic on some Samsung TVs.

Samsung TV owners belting out their favorite tunes using the Stingray Karaoke app can now reach for their smartphones to level up their performance. The Samsung SmartThings app can turn smartphones — including Samsung Galaxy S22, S23, S2, and S25 models and the iPhone 15 and 16 — into a wireless microphone.

TVs supporting the Mobile Microphone feature include certain 2025 Samsung smart TV models like the Neo QLED and The Frame.

Correction, April 2nd: An earlier version of this article misstated that the Stingray Karaoke app turns smartphones into microphones. It is the Samsung SmartThings mobile app.

A person holds a smartphone in their hand with karaoke lyrics onscreen.

Some 2025 Samsung TV models can now use a smartphone as a wireless microphone with the Stingray Karaoke app.

Image: Stingray Karaoke

YouTube tests turning off notifications for channels you don’t watch

Umar ShakirMar 28, 2025

Richard LawlerMar 28, 2025

Nintendo’s news app struggled to deliver the Zelda movie info.

Nintendo chose to announce a release window for its live-action The Legend of Zelda movie in the new Nintendo Today! app that only launched 24 hours ago. However, there was enough demand to pull up the brief video clip that Nintendo of Japan had to tweet about the issues.

I haven’t seen the information shared directly via Nintendo’s social media channels on X, Instagram, or YouTube -- if this is how we find out key info about the Switch 2 next week, then I hope it’s up to the task.

Screenshot of X post from @Nintendo saying, “The Nintendo Today! app has been experiencing heavy traffic which caused display issues with some contents, which have now been resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

Screenshot: @Nintendo (X)

A beginner’s guide to using Signal

Allison JohnsonMar 28, 2025

Dominic PrestonMar 28, 2025

Google opens Play Store billing options in the UK.

So-called “User Choice Billing” — which allows app developers to offer users payment providers other than Google Play for purchases — will be available to British users from March 29th, starting with non-gaming apps. The option is already available to users in the US, Europe, and a handful of other countries.

It saves devs from a four percent payment processing fee, though the real saving will be lower since other payment processors charge fees too.

We’re launching user choice billing in the UK.

[blog.google]

Facebook’s new Friends-only feed ditches all the algorithmic junk

Emma RothMar 27, 2025

iPhone users can now set WhatsApp as their default calling and texting app

Emma RothMar 27, 2025

How to keep your Venmo account private

Barbara KrasnoffMar 27, 2025

Instacart will pay shoppers to take videos of store shelves

Emma RothMar 27, 2025

Robinhood is launching bank accounts that will deliver physical cash ‘to your doorstep’

Emma RothMar 27, 2025

Andrew LiszewskiMar 26, 2025

Nintendo adds Tetris to its Music app and teases features coming later this year.

Nintendo has expanded its Music app’s catalog with tracks from the Game Boy and NES versions of Tetris, Dr. Mario, and the Switch’s Kirby and the Forgotten Land. On a support page on its website, Nintendo also revealed details about an October 2025 update, as spotted by Nintendo Life.

Using the app requires a Switch Online subscription, but later this year those who unsubscribe will still be able to access, edit, and share playlists they created.