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Google introduces a new way for users to sideload Android apps that still protects against scams
AppWizard
March 20, 2026

Google introduces a new way for users to sideload Android apps that still protects against scams

Google has announced a new "advanced flow" setting that simplifies the process for Android users to install applications from sources outside the Play Store by allowing them to disable a verification requirement. This change responds to user demand for more flexibility in app installation, despite the associated risks of unverified applications. Previously, Google required all Android apps to be registered by verified developers to prevent malware and fraud. The new setting involves enabling developer mode, followed by a verification check to ensure users are not being scammed, a phone restart, and a protective waiting period of one day before confirming the change. Users can choose to enable the option to install apps from unverified developers for seven days or indefinitely, with a warning provided for unverified apps. Additionally, Google is offering free distribution accounts for students and hobbyists to share apps with a small group without ID verification. These changes follow a legal settlement with Epic Games, resulting in reduced Play Store commissions to 20% on in-app purchases.
Federal Circuit Finds that Antivirus Software is Abstract and Remands for Alice, Step Two
Tech Optimizer
March 19, 2026

Federal Circuit Finds that Antivirus Software is Abstract and Remands for Alice, Step Two

Columbia University faced a setback in its patent dispute with Gen Digital Inc. regarding U.S. Patents 8,074,115 and 8,601,322, which relate to an innovative virus detection method developed in the early 2000s. The method involved evaluating the behavior of suspicious code using an emulator and a model of expected behavior derived from data across interconnected computers. Columbia initiated legal proceedings in 2013, and after various developments, a jury awarded Columbia over million in royalties for willful infringement in 2022. However, the Federal Circuit ruled that the patent claims were not sufficiently specific and remanded the case for further examination of whether the claims could constitute an inventive concept. The ruling emphasized that patent eligibility is determined by the precise language of the claims.
Fortnite will return to Google's Play Store globally on March 19
BetaBeacon
March 19, 2026

Fortnite will return to Google’s Play Store globally on March 19

Epic Games and Google have settled their dispute, allowing Fortnite to return to the Play Store on March 19. Google reduced its commission on in-app payments, and Epic Games agreed not to make negative comments about the Play Store publicly until 2032. Fortnite Save the World will become free-to-play in April.
Subnautica 2 set for early access release in May as Krafton signals surrender: 'We look forward to working with Ted Gill to support a smooth transition and work toward a successful launch'
AppWizard
March 18, 2026

Subnautica 2 set for early access release in May as Krafton signals surrender: ‘We look forward to working with Ted Gill to support a smooth transition and work toward a successful launch’

Krafton announced that Subnautica 2 will enter early access in May. This announcement follows a leadership change at Unknown Worlds, with Ted Gill set to reclaim his position as CEO. Steve Papoutsis, the current head of Unknown Worlds, expressed gratitude to the team for their hard work on the game. The early access launch is anticipated to lead to a full release in 2025. Krafton faces a financial obligation related to a 0 million bonus tied to the leadership dispute, with the deadline extended until September 15, 2026. Papoutsis highlighted the importance of collaborating with Gill for a smooth transition.
CAFC Reverses District Court’s Finding of Eligibility for Columbia Antivirus Software Claims
Tech Optimizer
March 11, 2026

CAFC Reverses District Court’s Finding of Eligibility for Columbia Antivirus Software Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) reversed a district court's judgment that had deemed Columbia University's patent claims eligible for protection in the case of The Trustees of Columbia University of the City of New York v. Gen Digital Inc. The CAFC concluded that Columbia's claims, related to virus protection, were directed toward an abstract idea and did not introduce a novel method or enhance existing methodologies. The court vacated a contempt order against the defendant’s legal team, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, determining that the district court's Disclosure Order regarding potential conflicts of interest was invalid. The CAFC also indicated that one argument from Columbia regarding the "model of function calls" should be examined upon remand, as it may constitute an inventive concept. The court upheld the district court's interpretation of the "emulator" and denied judgment as a matter of law for Norton regarding willful infringement, while reversing the enhanced damages award and instructing a reassessment of attorneys’ fees.
Google Proposes Android App Store Changes Following Epic Games Legal Dispute
AppWizard
March 6, 2026

Google Proposes Android App Store Changes Following Epic Games Legal Dispute

Google has submitted proposed modifications to its Android app store operations to a federal court in San Francisco in response to Epic Games' antitrust lawsuit from August 2020. The proposed changes include a revised fee structure that lowers baseline commissions on subscriptions and e-commerce transactions, offers app developers an alternative payment processing option, and allows developers to use payment systems outside of Google's ecosystem. Consumers will be able to download applications from alternative app stores that meet a certification process. These changes require judicial approval and are part of a broader overhaul mandated by a federal judge in October 2024. Google has requested a hearing on April 9 to clarify questions regarding the proposed changes and plans for a global rollout, initially focusing on the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, pending regulatory approvals.
Google changes Play Store policies after settling Epic Games dispute
BetaBeacon
March 5, 2026

Google changes Play Store policies after settling Epic Games dispute

- Developers on Google Play can now use their own billing systems alongside Google Play's payment system - The service fee for in-app purchases tied to new installs will be 20%, but developers in certain programs will pay 15% - Developers using Google Play's billing system will pay a separate 5% billing fee in certain regions - Google is launching a Registered App Stores program to simplify the installation of third-party Android stores
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