NewApp Digest
search bot

reforms

Google, Epic Games Reach US Court Settlement on Android and App Store Reforms
BetaBeacon
November 6, 2025

Google, Epic Games Reach US Court Settlement on Android and App Store Reforms

Google has settled a lawsuit with Epic Games, which accused Google of maintaining a monopoly in app distribution and in-app payments through the Play Store. The settlement includes reforms allowing users to download third-party app stores and developers to offer alternative payment methods within their apps, with Google charging a capped service fee of 9 to 20%. This agreement is expected to have far-reaching effects on the mobile app market and may lead to changes in the business models of both Google's Play Store and Apple's iOS.
Epic Games praises Google’s Android antitrust settlement boosting app store competition | Ukraine news
BetaBeacon
November 5, 2025

Epic Games praises Google’s Android antitrust settlement boosting app store competition | Ukraine news

Google and Epic Games have reached an antitrust settlement in the Fortnite case, with Google agreeing to reforms in the Android Store including lower commissions and increased competition. The settlement allows Android app developers to inform users about alternative payment methods and limits the commission Google can charge to either 9% or 20%. The focus is on expanding developers' choice and flexibility, reducing fees, and promoting competition while prioritizing user safety. Epic Games had also filed a lawsuit against Google and Apple for alleged anti-competitive behavior, with Apple recently reporting record profits from its services business. Following the settlement, the Epic Games Store for Android will be available on the Google Play Store, potentially reshaping the mobile market and gaming ecosystem.
Google and Epic reach proposed settlement to open Android app store access
AppWizard
November 5, 2025

Google and Epic reach proposed settlement to open Android app store access

Google and Epic Games have submitted a proposed agreement to a US judge in response to Epic's 2020 antitrust lawsuit against Google regarding app distribution and in-app payments on Android. The proposal allows users to download and install third-party app stores that meet updated security standards, aiming to create a more competitive app marketplace. Developers will be able to direct users to alternative payment methods, with Google implementing a capped service fee structure of 9% or 20%. The settlement is pending judicial approval and could lead to expanded choices for developers, lower fees, and enhanced competition while prioritizing user safety.
LSE and Lancaster University create Victorian London on Minecraft
AppWizard
October 19, 2025

LSE and Lancaster University create Victorian London on Minecraft

Researchers from the London School of Economics (LSE) and Lancaster University have recreated Victorian London in Minecraft through a project called “Charles Booth’s London.” This project utilizes Charles Booth's Poverty Map, which color-codes streets based on income and social class. Players start in the modern LSE library and can explore six historical walks, engaging in quests that reflect daily life in 1886. A team of 15 builders and two academics created over 1,000 new blocks and textures based on 2,000 pages of notes by Booth's assistant, George Duckworth. The project took two years and includes over 45 million blocks and interactions with more than 200 characters, including Beatrice Webb.
Google Appeals to Supreme Court in Clash Over Android App Billing
AppWizard
September 26, 2025

Google Appeals to Supreme Court in Clash Over Android App Billing

Google has filed an emergency appeal with the United States Supreme Court to postpone a lower court order requiring changes to its Play Store policies, which are set to take effect on October 22, 2025. This legal action is part of an ongoing conflict with Epic Games, which has accused Google of maintaining an unlawful monopoly over app distribution and payment systems on Android devices. In July 2025, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a jury verdict stating that Google restricted competition by forcing developers to use its Play Store and in-app billing system. Google expressed concerns that the lower court's ruling could disrupt the Android ecosystem and jeopardize user security. The case is occurring amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of Google's business practices, including a separate trial in Virginia over allegations of monopolizing online advertising technology.
Sony's live-service transition "not entirely going smoothly"
AppWizard
August 8, 2025

Sony’s live-service transition “not entirely going smoothly”

Sony Interactive Entertainment's CEO and CFO, Lin Tao, discussed challenges in the company's live-service gaming strategy, acknowledging difficulties in transitioning to a service-oriented portfolio. This includes the cancellation of the game Concord shortly after its release and the postponement of Bungie's title, Marathon, along with several other shelved projects. Tao noted that live-service games were almost non-existent for PlayStation Studios five years ago, but now contribute significantly to sales and profit through titles like Helldivers 2, MLB, Gran Turismo 7, and Destiny 2. The live-service ratio for Q1 was approximately 40 percent, with projections for the full year estimating between 20 to 30 percent. He recognized ongoing issues that need addressing to improve the introduction of live service content. Regarding Marathon, Tao mentioned it was delayed from its original September release due to an unsatisfactory alpha test, with an optimistic aim for completion by March 2026, though no official launch date has been set. He also discussed Bungie's integration into PlayStation Studios, indicating a shift from its initial independent operation towards becoming more integrated into the studio's structure.
Search