Android platform

AppWizard
November 26, 2025
Google is considering a new initiative called Aluminium, which aims to adapt Android's features for laptops and desktops, focusing on ARM architecture and improving multitasking, keyboard-and-mouse input, and file management. Android has over 3 billion active devices globally, while ChromeOS has a low market share in the PC sector. Android has evolved with updates like Android 12L, enhancing usability on large screens, and real-world implementations like Samsung DeX show its potential as a desktop OS. However, challenges remain regarding app usability on larger displays, and improvements in performance, security, and enterprise readiness are needed. Google plans to develop a refined Desktop Mode, implement UX guidelines, establish a native Linux workspace, enhance file access, integrate audio features, and collaborate with OEMs for compatible hardware.
AppWizard
November 16, 2025
Google has launched a "Developer Verification" initiative requiring developers to verify their identities when distributing applications outside the Google Play Store. This program aims to enhance user safety while allowing advanced users to install unverified apps. The early access phase has begun, with invitations for Play Store developers starting November 25, 2025. Simplified verification pathways will be available for students and hobbyists. Advanced users can still sideload apps but will receive explicit warnings about potential risks. The initiative seeks to reduce the distribution of malware by increasing the complexity and cost for malicious developers, while maintaining user choice for technically skilled individuals.
BetaBeacon
November 14, 2025
Valve has announced the Steam Frame, a new VR headset that aims to allow users to play as many VR and non-VR games as possible. The headset runs Steam games from its own onboard storage and uses controllers with a more conventional layout. The Frame's ARM-based Snapdragon chip poses challenges and opportunities for compatibility with Android VR games. Valve is working on platform crossover plans to allow Android VR titles on Steam, using an x86-to-ARM emulator called FEX. The Frame will be able to run PC games as well as Android VR games due to its SteamOS platform. Valve is focusing on providing a seamless gaming experience for customers without them having to worry about technical details. The Frame will also support mixed reality with the right third-party hardware additions.
AppWizard
November 13, 2025
Google has initiated a rollout of a new safety feature for developers distributing apps outside the Play Store, requiring them to verify their identities for sideloading capabilities. Currently, select developers are invited to participate in the early access phase through the Android Developer Console. Experienced users will still have the option to sideload unverified apps, and Google is developing an “advanced flow” to allow these users to accept the risks associated with installing unverified software. The company is soliciting feedback to refine the process and emphasizes user awareness with clear warnings about potential risks. Google aims to complicate malware distribution by requiring verified identities from developers. Widespread implementation of this verification requirement is not expected until late 2026.
AppWizard
November 13, 2025
Google is implementing stricter security measures on its Android platform regarding the sideloading of applications from unverified developers. All Android app developers must verify their identities via the Android Developer Console, regardless of whether they distribute through the Play Store. This verification aims to protect users from malicious actors. Once mandatory, Android may restrict app installations from unverified developers. Google plans to maintain options for advanced users to sideload apps, introducing a new flow that includes explicit warnings about potential risks. The company is currently gathering feedback on this feature and has invited developers to an early access program for verification, which will continue until March 2026.
AppWizard
November 11, 2025
Google has introduced a new metric for Android app developers to address excessive partial wake locks, which can lead to significant battery drain. This metric will alert users through Play Store warnings when apps contribute to battery issues. Wake locks keep devices awake for background tasks, but misuse can increase battery consumption. Google, in collaboration with Samsung, developed this metric based on user experience insights and battery consumption data. The threshold for excessive wake locks is defined as more than two cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period. A bad behavior threshold of 5% means that if over 5% of an app's user sessions in the past 28 days are excessive, the app may face consequences like exclusion from recommendations and a warning about battery usage. These changes will take effect on March 1, 2026.
AppWizard
November 11, 2025
Google is implementing a new metric called "excessive partial wake locks" to reduce battery drain on Android devices. This metric identifies user sessions as excessive if an app maintains non-exempt wake locks for over two cumulative hours within a 24-hour period. Apps exceeding a threshold of 5% excessive sessions over 28 days will face penalties starting March 1, 2026. Non-compliant apps may be excluded from prominent discovery surfaces in the Google Play Store and could display a warning label indicating high battery usage. The metric was co-developed with Samsung and is now available through the Android Vitals console for developers to access and make adjustments before the enforcement date.
AppWizard
November 7, 2025
Qobuz has launched an Android TV app that allows users to access its catalogue of 100 million tracks on their televisions. The app is available on the Google Play Store and is compatible with all devices that support Google TV, including brands like Sony, TCL, and Hisense. Users can easily download the app, log in, and start streaming, with features like playlists, albums, and personalized recommendations designed for larger displays. However, the app has a limitation where all audio is resampled to 48kHz due to the Android TV operating system, regardless of the original quality. This means that users connecting their TVs to soundbars or AV receivers will also experience this limitation. While casual listeners may find the app satisfactory, dedicated Qobuz subscribers seeking high-resolution audio may prefer alternatives like the NVIDIA Shield or dedicated streaming DACs to avoid the resampling issue. The 48kHz cap is a restriction of the Android platform, not Qobuz itself.
Search