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Google’s ecosystem

Google Play now allows Android apps to use other billing systems in the US
AppWizard
October 30, 2025

Google Play now allows Android apps to use other billing systems in the US

Google is required to change its Play Store policies in the U.S. due to a court ruling, allowing developers to use alternative billing systems starting October 29. Developers can now inform users about alternative pricing and availability options outside the Play Store and implement their own payment systems for in-app transactions. They may also continue using Google Play Billing and offer lower prices for alternative payment methods. This ruling is a result of a legal dispute with Epic Games and restricts Google from certain exclusivity agreements with OEMs and app developers.
Experts predict AI may disrupt the App ecosystem, and this might be a good thing
AppWizard
October 23, 2025

Experts predict AI may disrupt the App ecosystem, and this might be a good thing

Generative AI is set to redefine smartphone app interactions, becoming a central feature that curates personalized user experiences. Strategic partnerships between AI platforms and service providers are expected to increase over the next five years. Companies effectively leveraging AI will thrive, while those resisting it may face challenges. The app ecosystem is on the verge of transformation, with questions about how AI will select appropriate apps for tasks based on user history and performance metrics. App developers may resist this shift, aiming to maintain control over user engagement and brand identity.
Google's registration requirement threatens F-Droid's survival
AppWizard
September 30, 2025

Google’s registration requirement threatens F-Droid’s survival

F-Droid warns that its survival is threatened by Google's new requirement for Android developers to register to distribute apps, which includes a registration fee and the submission of identity documents. This move may force independent developers into Google's ecosystem, limiting their reach. F-Droid argues that this decision is not about security but reflects a concentration of power, contrasting its transparent processes with the Play Store's history of hosting harmful apps. The changes could lead to the removal or lack of updates for thousands of apps on F-Droid, impacting users who value privacy and control. Google plans to launch a pilot program in October that will require developers to pay registration fees in US dollars, making apps that do not comply un-installable on certified devices. Initially, this will affect markets like Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a global rollout planned by 2027. F-Droid is seeking support to oppose the policy and preserve alternative distribution channels.
Fire Toolbox 42 lets you make recent Amazon Fire tablets feel more like Android tablets (Disable & replace Amazon apps with
AppWizard
September 30, 2025

Fire Toolbox 42 lets you make recent Amazon Fire tablets feel more like Android tablets (Disable & replace Amazon apps with

Amazon's Fire Tablets are affordable devices that run on a customized version of Android called Fire OS, which is integrated with Amazon's services. Users have sought to modify their Fire tablets, and a new exploit in Fire Toolbox v42 for Windows and v12 for Linux allows enhanced control over system applications without granting root access. This version enables users to block over-the-air updates, ensuring modifications remain intact. Users must enable developer mode, connect their tablet to a PC, and use Fire Toolbox for modifications. Important considerations include the lack of support from Amazon for any issues arising from these modifications. Users are advised to block OTA updates to maintain customization capabilities.
The Browser Wasn’t Enough, Google Wants To Control All Your Software
AppWizard
August 28, 2025

The Browser Wasn’t Enough, Google Wants To Control All Your Software

Google announced plans to regulate "sideloaded" Android applications, which are installed from sources outside the official Android repository. This initiative includes a verification system for developers, allowing only applications from verified developers to be sideloaded, aimed at preventing malicious software. Google likened this process to airport security checks, focusing on confirming developer identities rather than inspecting application content. The OSS Rebuild program, introduced earlier, aims to verify authors of open-source libraries and ensure installed versions match published source code. Critics express concern that Google's control over developer verification could lead to exclusion of certain packages, impacting competition and developer recourse. Google has indicated plans to allow students and hobbyists to install self-developed applications, with the rollout of verified sideloading expected by 2027 in most regions.
Amazon's Android Pivot: A Catalyst for Semiconductor and Software Ecosystems
AppWizard
August 22, 2025

Amazon’s Android Pivot: A Catalyst for Semiconductor and Software Ecosystems

Amazon is transitioning its Fire tablet lineup from Fire OS to standard Android, codenamed “Kittyhawk,” to enhance hardware and software integration and compete with Apple and Samsung. This shift addresses developer fatigue by eliminating the need for separate app versions for Amazon's Appstore and responds to consumer demand for access to the Google Play Store. The new Android-based tablets, set for release in 2025, will likely increase app availability and capture a share of the premium tablet market. Key semiconductor partners expected to benefit from this transition include Qualcomm, Samsung, and MediaTek, as Amazon's adoption of standard Android may lead to increased demand for their chipsets. Additionally, the move strengthens Google's position within the ecosystem, potentially stimulating growth for its cloud and AI services, despite Amazon's decision to exclude Google's proprietary applications. Investors should monitor Qualcomm and MediaTek for semiconductor exposure, as well as Amazon's AI tools and cloud partnerships for potential growth. Amazon's current global tablet market share is 8%, which could expand with the new model, although risks include project delays and regulatory scrutiny regarding data privacy.
EU's upcoming age verification system may block sideloaded Android apps
AppWizard
July 28, 2025

EU’s upcoming age verification system may block sideloaded Android apps

The European Union's new app verification framework requires that apps be downloaded from the Google Play Store, licensed by Google, and installed on devices meeting specific security criteria to pass verification. Apps that are sideloaded, compiled from source, or installed from alternative app stores will not qualify for the EU's age verification system. If adopted without modifications, this framework will bar any non-compliant Android apps from operating within the EU, potentially excluding many third-party or custom-built applications. The system aims to enhance protections for minors while prioritizing user privacy by not collecting further usage data after a one-time age verification. Similar age verification initiatives are also emerging in the United States. The EU's approach may limit user autonomy and the openness of the Android platform, and Android users in Europe should prepare for potential restrictions.
Gemini's new photo-to-video breathes animated life into your memories
AppWizard
July 11, 2025

Gemini’s new photo-to-video breathes animated life into your memories

Google has introduced a new feature in the Gemini app that allows users to convert still images into dynamic videos using Veo 3 technology. Subscribers of Google AI Pro or Ultra can upload a photo and provide a text description for the video output, including specifying soundscapes. Earlier, Google Cloud launched a similar feature for Honor's 400 series with Veo 2, which required a subscription after a trial period. Veo 3 was highlighted at the I/O 2025 event for its audio capabilities and lifelike video generation, and YouTube is considering integrating it into its Shorts platform. Google has also stated that it has implemented measures to ensure user safety with these AI tools.
Google Chat is trying out an Expressive new look
AppWizard
July 2, 2025

Google Chat is trying out an Expressive new look

Google is implementing its Material 3 Expressive design language across various Android applications, including Gmail and the stand-alone Chat app. The latest update for the Chat app (version 2025.06.15.771788943.Release) features interface modifications that enhance background colors for better visual contrast. The stand-alone Chat app differs from Gmail's Chat interface by lacking thin dividers between entries. The updates are being rolled out gradually, with not all users receiving the new design at the same time.
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