- Kids games designed for children between the ages of 3 and 12 are now available on Android Auto, allowing them to play on the car's infotainment display while parked.
Google's March Pixel Drop introduces several enhancements for Pixel devices, including:
- Integration of live location sharing in Google Messages, allowing users to share real-time location within chats.
- Introduction of short app preview videos in Google Play for users to quickly assess app functionality before downloading.
- Enhanced Find Hub app for recovering lost luggage by generating a secure tracking link for tagged bags, which can be shared with participating airlines.
The tracking links expire after seven days and can be stopped at any time. Over ten major airlines, including Ajet, Air India, and Lufthansa Group, support this feature, with Qantas expected to join soon. Google collaborated with SITA and Reunitus to integrate this feature with baggage systems used by many airlines worldwide.
The author transitioned from Windows to Linux for daily workflows, finding that most essential tools adapted well. Linux distributions can easily detect hardware on modern x86 laptops, and community projects enhance compatibility for devices like Microsoft’s Surface. Software integration was smooth, with applications like Microsoft Edge and 1Password functioning without issues. However, the author misses Windows Hello's biometric sign-in, which lacks a universal equivalent in Linux. Community solutions exist but often require technical adjustments. Linux desktops provide a polished experience, but challenges remain, such as webcam functionality and sleep/resume issues. Selecting compatible hardware is crucial for a successful transition, and Linux holds about 4% of the desktop market share globally.
The Microsoft Store on Windows is implementing updates based on developer feedback to improve onboarding, publishing, distribution, and analytics. Recent changes include a streamlined onboarding process that reduces the time to create a new developer account by half. Enhancements in developer analytics include upgraded Health Reports with multi-filter support, Anomaly Alerts for unusual app health data, a consolidated Summary Dashboard, and a revamped Usage Dashboard that provides insights on active devices and engagement metrics.
Improvements to the Microsoft Store Web Installer include an auto-open feature for Win32 apps and expanded support for enterprise-managed devices. Developers can generate updated badge code for their websites to enhance user trust and installation rates. A new command-line interface allows for app discovery, installation, and updates directly from the terminal, enabling efficient app management. Developer feedback mechanisms have been simplified within Partner Center to encourage ongoing input.
Navigating the Google Play Store can be frustrating due to its inadequate search functionality and the prevalence of sponsored apps and ads. The App Finder application offers a solution by allowing users to define their own search criteria and providing advanced search capabilities tailored specifically for the Play Store. Users can apply various filters such as app titles, ratings, downloads, and genres to refine their search results significantly. App Finder also helps users find discounted apps and provides access to data by country or worldwide statistics. While the app's interface is functional but not visually appealing, it remains accessible with a free version and offers a paid upgrade for additional features. However, it has not been updated since October 2024, raising concerns about its future viability.
Mishaal Rahman shared her favorite Android apps from 2025, which include:
- Octopi Launcher: A launcher designed for foldable smartphones that allows users to create custom layouts for different screen orientations.
- Nobook: A lightweight alternative to the official Facebook app, offering a simplified social media experience without ads.
- Banana Browser: A browser that excels in video handling, featuring a built-in player and ad-blocking capabilities.
- NotebookLM: A digital manual and note-taking app that helps users organize information effectively.
- OSS Document Scanner: An open-source PDF scanner with automatic capture and OCR support.
- whoBIRD: An app for identifying birds by their calls using real-time audio sampling.
- Tomato: A minimalist Pomodoro timer that integrates focus and rest periods into productivity routines.
- Stellarium: An app for exploring celestial bodies with detailed information about stars and planets.
- Google Journal: A straightforward journaling app that stores entries locally and supports multimedia integration.
- Next Player: A simple video player that supports various formats and offers organizational features.
- Weather Master: A user-friendly weather app with customizable data sources and concise summaries.
- Perplexity Comet: An AI browser that enhances news and information access.
- LocalSend: A file-sharing app for quick and secure transfers across devices on the same network.
- Super Display: An app that turns any Android device into a secondary monitor.
- URLCheck: A link manager that scans for security threats and allows users to choose apps for opening links.
- Samsung Food: A recipe management app that helps users curate digital cookbooks.
- DeepSeek: An AI chatbot offering versatile capabilities and offline access.
- Androidify: An app for creating personalized avatars and customizing devices with unique designs.
Google has announced a suite of policy updates for 2025 aimed at enhancing user safety, data privacy, and ecosystem integrity on the Android platform. Key changes include a revised Developer Distribution Agreement that imposes stricter requirements on app functionality, content moderation, and compliance with global regulations. Developers must now avoid misleading practices, obtain explicit consent for data usage, and implement age-gating mechanisms for apps with matchmaking, dating, or gambling functionalities by October 30, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, developers will be restricted to using the Age Signals API for age-appropriate experiences.
In India, Google is aligning personal loan app requirements with local regulations, while monetization strategies are under scrutiny, with rules clarified around in-app purchases and advertisements. Developers will incur fees for linking to external payment systems. Mandatory developer verification will begin in 2026, and a global rollout of this verification is expected by 2027.
To aid compliance, Google has integrated Policy Support into the Play Console and introduced mandatory testing for new apps. The updates also emphasize the importance of child safety and ethical considerations in app design, particularly regarding age-appropriate content and functionality. Google is enhancing its enforcement mechanisms and adapting policies to regional regulations while maintaining a cohesive global platform.
The Google Play Store is the main source for Android applications, but its built-in filters can be inadequate, making it difficult to find valuable apps. To improve search results, users can employ several strategies:
1. Search Using Multiple Modifiers: Incorporate additional keywords to refine searches, as the Play Store treats spaces as the AND operator.
2. Use Quotation Marks: Enclose queries in quotes for exact phrase searches, which helps filter out irrelevant results.
3. Use Keywords in Different Order: Experimenting with the arrangement of keywords can yield different search results.
4. Take Advantage of Suggestions: Utilize the suggestions provided by Google while typing to inspire more specific queries.
5. Use Any Filters Available: Leverage filters like Rating, Editor’s Choice, and Price to enhance the search experience.
6. Search Play Store With App Finder: This tool offers a clean interface and various filters for improved app discovery. Users can sort by relevance, user rating, and more, and it provides detailed information about each app.
7. Consider Alternatives: Web-based platforms like AppBrain or KPlaySearch offer enhanced filtering options for app searches without needing to download another app.
Google is enhancing the Play Store with a significant upgrade for mixed reality headset owners, introducing an “XR headset” chip that will display headset-specific screenshots, reviews, and app details. A dedicated XR section has been added within the Apps and Games tabs to streamline the discovery of mixed-reality and virtual reality applications. This update coincides with the anticipated launch of devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR headset. Google aims to ensure Android apps work seamlessly across the XR landscape, collaborating with platforms like Valve’s Steam Frame VR to support Android applications. The revamped Play Store layout will help users easily identify applications optimized for immersive experiences, providing a more streamlined preview experience and intuitive browsing for spatial environments. This proactive approach positions Android for a vibrant ecosystem as XR hardware gains traction in the mainstream market.
Google Play is introducing a feature that allows users to find where to watch movies and TV shows by searching for a title in the Search tab. This feature presents a "Where to watch" card that lists various apps where the content is available for streaming, renting, or purchasing. It includes install prompts for apps not already on the user's device but does not provide rental prices, purchase costs, subscription fees, IMDb ratings, or direct YouTube links. The feature is currently rolling out and may not be immediately available to all users.
