NewApp Digest
search bot

Google’s Android app

Google's Android app is getting ready to remember all those songs you couldn't (APK teardown)
AppWizard
February 11, 2025

Google’s Android app is getting ready to remember all those songs you couldn’t (APK teardown)

Google is enhancing its Android app's song identification feature with a new audio search tool that currently lacks a history of past searches. An APK teardown indicates that a search log is in development, allowing users to revisit previously identified songs. The latest beta build of the Google app, version 16.5.33.sa.arm64, includes text strings suggesting the implementation of a search history, featuring identifiers for artist names, track details, images, and timestamps. While the interface for this search history is still in early stages, a history icon has been added to the search screen, indicating a potential Recent song searches view. Users can expect a design similar to the existing Now Playing history, displaying essential song information, album artwork, and timestamps.
Microsoft’s Xbox to sell games directly on Android app after US Court ruling against Google- All details
BetaBeacon
October 11, 2024

Microsoft’s Xbox to sell games directly on Android app after US Court ruling against Google- All details

A federal judge ruled that Google must allow third-party app stores and alternative payment systems on Android devices due to its monopoly on the Android app store. Microsoft has quickly taken advantage of this ruling by updating its Xbox Android app to simplify the gaming experience and plans to launch a browser-based Xbox mobile store. Other game publishers and app developers are uncertain about how these changes will impact the mobile gaming landscape.
Microsoft's Xbox to sell games directly through Android app, taking advantage of US ruling against Google - Times of India
AppWizard
October 11, 2024

Microsoft’s Xbox to sell games directly through Android app, taking advantage of US ruling against Google – Times of India

Microsoft will launch a direct sales model for Xbox games through its Android app in November, following a federal court ruling that deemed Google's Android app store an illegal monopoly. This ruling requires Google to allow third-party app stores and alternative payment systems for three years. Xbox President Sarah Bond stated that the updated app will offer more choice and flexibility for gamers, enabling direct game purchases and access via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft is also exploring a browser-based Xbox mobile store featuring first-party games. Google plans to appeal the court's decision.
US Judge Orders Google To Allow Android App Store Competition
AppWizard
October 8, 2024

US Judge Orders Google To Allow Android App Store Competition

A federal judge has ordered Google to implement significant changes to its Play app store following a legal challenge from Epic Games. Judge James Donato's ruling requires Google to allow rival app stores on its platform and to make its entire app catalogue accessible to competitors unless developers opt out. This decision follows a jury trial that found Google's Android app store and billing service to be an illegal monopoly and identified anticompetitive agreements with various companies. The judge emphasized the need to dismantle barriers in the app ecosystem and limited the duration of the changes to three years. The ruling will take effect on November 1, giving Google eight months to develop a strategy for compliance, overseen by a technical committee. Key measures include preventing Google Play’s billing system from being dominant and allowing developers to inform users about alternative payment methods. The ruling also imposes restrictions on Google's practices, such as banning revenue sharing with app distributors and prohibiting incentives for exclusive launches on the Play Store. Google has expressed concerns about potential negative consequences and plans to appeal the decision.
Google Says Opening Up Its App Store Is Expensive And Too Much Work, Gets Told By Judge, 'We're Going To Tear The Barriers Down' - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)
AppWizard
August 16, 2024

Google Says Opening Up Its App Store Is Expensive And Too Much Work, Gets Told By Judge, ‘We’re Going To Tear The Barriers Down’ – Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Judge James Donato has expressed a commitment to dismantling what has been identified as an illegal monopoly surrounding Google's Play Store, following a federal jury's unanimous decision that it operates as such. He plans to prohibit discriminatory practices against rival app stores and suggested the creation of a monitoring committee to oversee the transition. Epic Games has proposed that Google allow rival app stores access to its platform, while both parties agree on the feasibility of this but differ on the timeline and costs involved. A final ruling from Judge Donato is expected in over two weeks.
Judge to Order Overhaul of Google's Android App Store
AppWizard
August 15, 2024

Judge to Order Overhaul of Google’s Android App Store

A federal judge has indicated that significant reforms are likely coming to Google’s Play Store, requiring it to allow users to download alternative app stores. This follows a jury verdict that deemed the Play Store a monopoly due to its control over app distribution and billing systems. Google has expressed concerns about security risks from third-party app stores, but the judge emphasized the need for reform despite potential challenges for Google, which estimates costs could reach up to 0 million. An order detailing these changes is expected within weeks, and there may be implications for another antitrust case involving Google’s search engine. Google has requested 12 to 16 months to implement changes, while Epic Games argues it could be done in about three months. The judge suggested that Google may not get the extended timeline it seeks.
Epic judge says he’ll ‘tear the barriers down’ on Google’s app store monopoly
AppWizard
August 14, 2024

Epic judge says he’ll ‘tear the barriers down’ on Google’s app store monopoly

Judge James Donato has ordered Google to make significant changes to its app store practices following a jury's determination that Google's Android app store operates as an illegal monopoly. During a final hearing on remedies, Donato emphasized the need to dismantle the existing monopolistic environment and indicated that barriers preventing competition must be removed. Both parties acknowledged the possibility of opening the Google Play Store to rival stores, but debated the timeline and costs of this transition. A key issue was whether Google could require human review for every app from competing stores, which Judge Donato appeared to oppose, aiming to prevent discriminatory practices. He proposed the creation of a "technical compliance and monitoring committee" to oversee compliance, consisting of representatives from both Epic and Google, along with a third-party member. A final ruling is expected in just over two weeks.
Search