October 2024

AppWizard
November 18, 2025
Google has announced its best apps and games on the Play Store for 2025. The best overall app is Focus Friend by Hank Green, which gamifies productivity with a "Bean Friend" avatar. The best overall game is Pokemon TCG Pocket, launched in October 2024. Other notable winners include Luminar as the best multi-device app and Disney Speedstorm as the best multi-device game. The best apps of 2025 include Edits (Best for Fun), Wiser (Best Everyday Essential), and ABCmouse 2 (Best for Families). The best games of 2025 include Dunk City Dynasty (Best Multiplayer) and Disco Elysium (Best Story). In 2024, Partiful was the best overall app and AFK Journey was the best overall game.
BetaBeacon
November 11, 2025
Epic Games has reached a settlement with Google regarding their legal dispute over the Google Play Store for Android apps. The settlement aims to make Android a more competitive platform by allowing third-party app stores to be distributed through Google's app store. The settlement also includes Google limiting payment processing commissions to between 9% and 20%.
BetaBeacon
November 6, 2025
Google and Epic Games have reached a settlement in the Epic v Google case, with Google proposing to make changes to open up the Android market globally and extend the settlement through June 30, 2032. The settlement includes a new fee structure for developers, allowing them to use alternative payment systems and reducing fees for in-app purchases. Additionally, a new program will make it easier for users to install alternative app stores. Both CEOs hailed the settlement as a win for the original vision of Android as an open platform.
BetaBeacon
November 6, 2025
Google and Epic Games have reached an agreement on app store fees, which would replace the court's previous injunction. Google can charge a 9 percent fee for non-gameplay items and a 20 percent fee for mixed bundles. Epic Games will be able to create an Epic Games Store on Android with minimal fees to Google. This agreement aims to make Android a more competitive platform for users and developers.
BetaBeacon
November 6, 2025
Epic Games and Google have reached a settlement to end their long-running dispute over app distribution and in-app billing on the Android platform. The settlement includes the introduction of "Registered App Stores" and allows developers to direct users toward alternative payment systems. The agreement aims to make Android more open and competitive for developers and consumers.
BetaBeacon
November 6, 2025
Epic Games and Google have reached a settlement in their 5-year legal battle over Google's Play Store for Android apps. The settlement aims to enhance the Android platform for users and developers, following a federal appeals court's criticism of Google's app store as an illegal monopoly. The specific terms of the settlement remain confidential pending approval by U.S. District Judge James Donato, but it includes provisions to foster competition, such as allowing the distribution of rival third-party app stores on the platform. Google will now limit payments for in-app transactions to a range of 9% to 20%.
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