apps and games Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Mid-week Android app deals and freebies: Kingdom Rush 5, Iron Marines 2, 9th Dawn III, more

Pre-orders for the Google Pixel 11 lineup have started, featuring trade-in values up to 0 and 0 Google Store credit. Customers can also receive a 50% discount on the Pixel Watch 5 with their purchase. The Google Pixel 11 starts at 9, the Pixel 11 Pro at 9, the Pixel 11 Pro XL at ,299, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold at ,899, all with trade-in discounts available. Best Buy and Amazon are expected to offer competitive pre-order deals as well. Additionally, several Android apps and games are currently available at reduced prices.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Google Play Now Offers Third-Party App Stores in the U.S.

The Google Play Store has begun allowing third-party app stores in the United States, starting with Aptoide Games. This change follows a legal victory for Epic Games in the case of Epic v. Google, leading to a revised settlement that enables easier access to these app stores without the need for side-loading. Users can find and install these new app stores directly from the Play Store. Google plans to expand this initiative globally later in the year. Third-party app stores will have access to the Google Play catalog but will still be subject to Google Play's fees. Epic Games has not yet launched its own app store under this new framework, but it is expected to do so soon.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

You can now buy Android apps and games using a new payment option

Google has integrated Venmo as a payment option on Google Play, allowing users to purchase apps, games, and digital content more flexibly. Users can link their Venmo accounts to Google Play by following specific steps in the app. Venmo has expanded its services, enabling transactions with PayPal users in over 90 countries. Google Play supports various payment methods, and users must have an active Venmo account to use this feature. Venmo can be used for purchases, including movies, but there have been issues, such as a user losing access to a purchased movie trilogy without a refund option.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Australians must now prove their age to buy R18+ games on the Xbox store

Microsoft will require users to verify their age when purchasing games rated R18+ on Xbox and Microsoft Store starting in August 2026 to comply with Australian regulations.

BetaBeacon

August 1, 2026

5 of the best new Android apps you need to try this August

A new app called Messages by OzarksMade aims to emulate the look and feel of Samsung Messages and include RCS support via integration with Google Messages.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

As Google sits back and watches, terrible ads are ruining Android’s free app ecosystem

The mobile advertising landscape has shifted from simple banner ads to aggressive monetization tactics that often manipulate users. Common intrusive ad experiences include unclosable interstitial ads, interactive playable ads that mislead users, and unsolicited notifications promoting unrelated games. This shift has negatively impacted independent developers, who struggle to compete against large ad networks and feel pressured to adopt disruptive ad practices. Google, which controls the Play Store and ad services, benefits financially from these intrusive ads but has not effectively addressed the issue, allowing low-quality ads to proliferate. The current state of advertising is eroding user trust in free applications, threatening the integrity of the Android ecosystem.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Google to open Android to third-party app stores in US on July 22

Beginning July 22, Google will allow third-party app stores in the United States to access its Play Store catalog through the Play Catalog Access Program. App listings submitted to these third-party platforms will be accessible, but downloads will still require completion via Google Play, with standard service fees applying. This initiative follows a settlement with Epic Games, which involved adjustments to a court order. Third-party app stores must pay a ,000 upfront service fee for a security review and an annual fee of ,000 to maintain access to the Play catalog. Additionally, Google has reduced its commission on app purchases from 30% to 10% and allowed external billing options as part of the settlement.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Big Changes Are Coming To Android’s Google Play Store This Month

In October 2024, a judge ordered Google to allow third-party app stores on the Android platform. Google has now decided to comply with this ruling, retracting its motion to amend the injunction. Changes are set to be implemented starting July 22, 2026, allowing third-party app stores to operate within the Play Store in the U.S. Developers' app listings will automatically be available to these stores unless they opt out. Third-party stores can offer apps from the Play Catalog if they pay an annual fee and meet certain criteria. However, questions remain regarding the integration of Play Protect security features and the assessment of third-party store security.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Google is opening the floodgates to third-party app stores on Android next week

Google will allow third-party app stores on its Android platform starting July 22, 2026, following a legal agreement with Epic Games. This decision comes after Google withdrew its motion to modify a court injunction requiring the inclusion of third-party stores. The new framework will enable third-party app stores to list apps and games available on the Play Store, with developers having the option to participate under the same conditions as those in the Play Store. Third-party stores will incur a ,000 annual access fee to list Play Store apps and must adhere to specific security and policy protocols.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Android will get third-party app stores, but Canadians have to wait

Google has launched the Play Catalogue Access Program, allowing third-party Android app stores to access the Play Store's app catalogue starting July 22. Apps submitted to Google will be available on these external stores, expanding developers' reach. Downloads from third-party stores will still go through Google Play, maintaining existing service fees. Third-party stores must pay an initial service fee of ,000 for a security review and an annual fee of ,000 for ongoing access. Google has also reduced its commission from 30% to 10% following a settlement with Epic Games, allowing developers to offer alternative payment options. These changes are currently limited to the U.S. market, with a global rollout expected by September 2027.