stricter guidelines Archives

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Bad battery life? Google will name-and-shame Android apps that drain your phone faster than expected

Google is overhauling the Google Play Store to address Android apps that excessively drain device batteries. New regulations require developers to minimize unnecessary background activities and adhere to stricter guidelines on how often their apps can wake devices or access system resources. Non-compliant apps will receive warnings on their Play Store listings, and their visibility may be reduced. A new measurement system, developed with Samsung, tracks "excessive partial wake locks," which monitor how long apps keep devices awake while the screen is off. If an app exceeds a threshold of 5% of total user sessions with excessive wake locks over a 28-day period, it will trigger notifications on the developers' dashboard. Developers must rectify these issues by March 1, 2026, to keep their apps on the Play Store. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency regarding app resource utilization and improve battery performance across Android devices.

AppWizard

September 13, 2025

Android’s biggest feature is also its biggest flaw

The Galaxy Watch 8 and Pixel 10 are experiencing pairing issues, prompting discussions among users and experts. Google has acknowledged these compatibility concerns and is working on updates to the Play Services app, though their effectiveness is debated. Compatibility issues arise due to complexities in software development and corporate policies, affecting user satisfaction and brand loyalty. There are suggestions for Google to enforce stricter compatibility guidelines, but this could hinder innovation and attract regulatory scrutiny. Both companies are seeking solutions, and updates to the Play Services app indicate a willingness to adapt. The Galaxy Watch 8, while not significantly changed in hardware, aims to enhance user experience through software improvements and ongoing support.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

A moviegoer brought a live chicken to a Minecraft screening for viral ‘chicken jockey’ freak-out

Screenings of A Minecraft Movie have become lively events, particularly among younger audiences, due to a standout scene featuring Jason Momoa battling a baby zombie riding a chicken, humorously called the "chicken jockey." This moment has led to social media buzz and enthusiastic reactions in theaters, with audiences cheering and celebrating. However, some instances of disruptive behavior have resulted in ejections from theaters. One screening even featured a live chicken, raising questions about audience engagement and decorum in public spaces. In response, theaters are implementing stricter guidelines for audience conduct during showings.

AppWizard

November 23, 2024

Google’s working on a mysterious new Play Store app filter (APK teardown)

The Google Play Store is introducing a new filter that allows users to "filter apps that link to external apps." This feature, revealed through an APK teardown, suggests a shift in strategy focusing on app behavior rather than content. The purpose of the filter is unclear, raising questions about its implications for security and app interactions. The optional nature of the filter prompts speculation about whether it is a security measure and what "external" links encompass. The tech community is awaiting further clarification from Google regarding this development and its potential impact on user experience and app visibility.

AppWizard

October 18, 2024

Android phones are about to get a big security upgrade to protect your photos

Google Play is enhancing user privacy with the introduction of the Photo Picker API, which debuted with Android 13. This feature allows users to selectively share images with applications instead of granting full access to their photo and video libraries. Google plans to enforce stricter guidelines for developers to ensure that only apps that genuinely need full gallery access can obtain it. The Photo Picker API currently lacks a search function and does not display local albums, making it challenging to locate older images. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the Pixel 9 transmitting data to Google without explicit user consent, including location and network status updates every 15 minutes. Google has stated that user security and privacy are top priorities for Pixel.

AppWizard

July 19, 2024

Google suddenly says it will purge the worst Android apps in the Play Store

Starting August 31, 2024, Google Play Store will implement stricter guidelines to ensure that only high-quality apps are available for Android users. Google will crack down on low-quality apps that crash frequently, lack basic utility, fail to deliver engaging content, lack app-specific functionalities, are static in nature, have minimal content, serve no purpose, fail to install properly, or do not load successfully. Google's efforts aim to enhance the overall user experience on Google Play.