Apps

Finally, someone made Counter-Strike’s PC version run on Android

Published

April 18, 2016

Monch Lopez

As if we need further proof that smartphones are basically tiny PCs that fit our hands nicely, you can now play Counter-Strike on just about any Android phone. To be clear, we’re not talking about a cash-grabbing gimmick in the guise of a mobile game, or a clone of arguably the most-loved first-person shooter of all time; this is the real deal, with AI opponents (a.k.a. bots) thrown in for good measure.

Alibek Omarov is the developer responsible for the port, and according to him, his work has a compatibility rating of “95 to 100 percent” with the PC release. More impressively, the game will work even without root access, and installation is easy and requires very little technical knowledge.

Now, before you read the instructions on how to get Counter-Strike on your Android device, it should be noted that you’ll need a Steam account, plus a copy of the game from Steam to make the port work. Also: Touch input, especially on a small screen, isn’t the ideal way you’d want to play a skill-based game like Counter-Strike.

Another caveat is that there’s currently no way to play against or with other humans, so you’re limited to playing against bots for the meantime. But as anyone who’s played against AI opponents will tell you, they can be a lot of fun.

With those out of the way, here’s how to (unofficially) install and run Counter-Strike on Android:

Download and install Omarov’s CS16Client app here. Do note that there are separate apps for single-core and multicore devices.
Get the latest Xash3D app here and install it.
Create a folder named “xash” in your device’s SD card directory.
Copy the “cstrike” and “valve” folders from your Steam installation on your PC (usually under C:\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life), then transfer them to the “xash” folder.
Run the CS16Client app to launch the game.

We’ve wasted hours playing Counter-Strike on multiple Android phones, which isn’t to say that we’ve gotten the hang of it. And while we’d certainly rather play it on a desktop with a mouse and a keyboard, running the game in a touchscreen environment still feels fun and hugely rewarding.

[irp posts=”2068″ name=”Step-by-step guide: How to install Counter-Strike on your Android device”]

Related Topics:Android Counter-Strike Steam

Apps

Disney+ launches a TikTok-coded vertical feed called Verts

Published

March 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

TikTok has changed how we consume media. Everything is now vertical. Even the most established streaming services, often a bastion for traditionally horizontal content, is adopting the different format. Now, Disney+ is getting a vertical feed called Verts.

Like its contemporaries, Verts presents a continuous feed of content but tailored to show the plethora of titles from the Disney+ library. This might include the first scenes of shows or notable highlights. The hope, of course, is to direct users to the longform content.

Directly from the Verts feed, users can easily add the respective title to their watchlist or go straight to the title’s page. In turn, the feed is accessible from the homepage since it has its own tab.

According to Disney, early experiments with the feature have driven engagement to available content. Right now, the feed is mostly for clipping enticing content from shows. However, the platform will experiment further with the format for new ways to tell stories.

Though Verts surely stands for “verticals” in this case, “adverts” might fit better as its full government name. Still, it might be a useful tool if you’re figuring out what to watch for the night.

Currently, Verts is available for Disney+ subscribers in the United States. Disney also has plans to expand the feature to ESPN for sports-related content.

Apps

Google Maps is finally getting a 3D mode

The app will also have a Gemini chatbot baked inside.

Published

March 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Some of today’s navigation apps are living in the future. Instead of a two-dimensional map, these apps render the user’s surroundings in 3D. It’s a nifty upgrade that helps drivers more accurately visualize directions on the fly. Finally, Google Maps is getting a much-needed upgrade and will take navigation to the third dimension.

In a new update rolling out today, the new Immersive Navigation feature will bring your surroundings to life. The 3D view creates a render of the surrounding buildings, overpasses, and terrain around the car. It takes the guesswork out of navigation by showing precisely where to turn and what landmarks to look out for.

In the same vein, you can now use Street View to preview your destination before you arrive. Google Maps will also highlight your destination’s entrance, side of the street, and nearby parking.

Outside of how the map is visualized, Google Maps is also infusing its service with Gemini. The new Ask Maps feature will let you engage with the app in a conversational manner. For example, if you’re in the middle of a long drive, you can now ask Maps where the best place is to stop over and have a coffee break. Ask Maps will provide directions, a potential itinerary, and even helpful links to book a reservation ahead of time.

Now, availability for both of these features is still a bit limited. Immersive View is rolling out today to compatible devices and vehicles in the United States. Further, availability will expand over the coming months.

Meanwhile, Ask Maps is available now in the United States and India for Android and iOS. A desktop version is coming soon.

Apps

Apple Music, TikTok launch Play Full Song, a new music discovery experience

Rolling out worldwide exclusively through Apple Music

Published

March 12, 2026

GadgetMatch

Ever came across a viral 15 or 30-second music snippet on TikTok that instantly became your jam on repeat?

For years, TikTok has been a regular source of songs that have become part of our playlists. And together with Apple Music, listening to the music you discover has just gotten even easier.

That’s through Play Full Song, a new music discovery experience, which launches exclusively though Apple Music.

With the new feature, Apple Music subscribers can now enjoy full-length tracks that they discover on TikTok. That’s without ever leaving that popular streaming app.

Fans who discover a song that they love on their For You or Sound Detail page can simply tap the Play Full Song button to open up an Apple Music player and enjoy the song in its entirety.

From there, subscribers can continue listening to a personalized stream of recommended songs. That means no more need to switch apps and search separately.

The new Play Full Song experience helps music fans move seamlessly from the moment of discovery to deeper listening. It’s also designed to be instant and all within the same environment.

Moreover, users can also save their favorite songs to Your Music and add them directly to their Apple Music playlists.

Built using Apple’s MusicKit, full-length song playback takes place on Apple Music. This way, streams are paid within the Apple Music service, supporting artists and rights holders while giving fans a smooth, uninterrupted experience.

Listening Party also launched

The feature builds on the success of TikTok’s Add to Music App. This was previously launched to help artists and fans convert discovery on TikTok to a playlist save in Apple Music and other streaming services.

To cap the announcement, TikTok and Apple Music are also introducing Listening Party. This new feature is designed to bring artists and fans together around music.

It creates a shared environment where fans can listen to songs from their favorite artists in real time, interact with each her, and engage directly with the artist during the session.