structure Archives

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Android’s getting a flexible new approach to sideloading with Registered App Stores

Google plans to change its app fee structure and introduce a new program for third-party app stores as part of its legal battle with Epic Games. The revised fee structure will separate service fees from Google Play billing fees, reducing service fees for in-app subscriptions from 15% to 10%, while a 5% fee will apply for those using Google Play billing. A new Registered App Store program will allow third-party app stores that meet certain criteria to register with Android, improving user installation experiences. These changes are expected to take effect in the US, UK, and Europe by the end of June 2024, with a global rollout by September 30, 2027. The Registered App Store program will initially launch outside the US and will be included in a major Android release later this year, pending court approval for domestic implementation.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google Announces Registered App Stores For Android

Google is launching a Registered App Stores program for Android, allowing third-party app stores to officially register if they meet specific quality and safety criteria. This program aims to provide a better installation experience for users and will be rolled out in a major Android release later this year, initially targeting markets outside the US. Registration is optional, and stores can continue using the existing sideloading process. Alongside this, Google is unbundling its fee structure, reducing service fees for developers to between 15% and 20%, with an additional 5% fee for using Google Play billing in certain regions. The rollout of the new billing structure is expected by the end of June in the US, UK, and Europe, with global completion by September 30, 2027. The initiative is part of a broader settlement with Epic Games and reflects ongoing legal pressures for greater competition in app distribution.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google Revamps Android App Store Rules, Cuts Fees Amid Global Antitrust Pressure

Alphabet's Google has announced a transformation in app distribution on Android devices, allowing external companies to register and launch their own app stores by paying a one-time fee. This change aims to enhance accessibility for competitors and lower costs for developers. Google will reduce its standard commission for developers from 30% to as low as 15% or 10% in some cases, with implementation expected by June in the US, UK, and EU, and similar changes in Australia, South Korea, and Japan by the end of 2026. Developers using Google’s billing services will incur a flat fee of 5%, while they can also opt for third-party payment processors. Epic Games has expressed approval of these changes, which they believe will help resolve ongoing litigation. Google generated approximately .66 billion in sales from its app marketplace in 2020, and regulatory changes could reduce its gross profit by around billion. The European Commission has accused Google of violating the Digital Markets Act, which could lead to fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue. Google has previously faced €9.5 billion in fines for competition law violations. A US jury ruled in 2023 that certain Android policies violated antitrust law, leading to an injunction requiring Google to allow competing app stores access to its app catalog. Despite regulatory pressures, Google stated that the changes to the developer fee structure were voluntary and not mandated by legal rulings.

BetaBeacon

March 4, 2026

Google vs Epic Games dispute ends as ‘registered’ Android app stores, lower fees roll out this year

Google and Epic Games have resolved their dispute, leading to significant changes in Google's Android platform. These changes include better support for third-party app stores, the option for developers to use their own billing systems alongside Google Play billing, and adjustments to Google Play fees.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Minecraft’s PS3 source code just leaked with floating islands and early villager houses offering a rare look at scrapped features

The source code for Minecraft's PlayStation 3 version has been leaked online, revealing internal development files and the source code for Minecraft Pocket Edition. This version was optimized for the PlayStation 3's 256MB of RAM and was developed in C++. The leak includes features that were not included in the final release, such as early sky island world generation, prototype waterfall code, and initial designs for villager houses. Enthusiasts have managed to run the PS3 build on PC with functional multiplayer capabilities. The leak may aid researchers in identifying vulnerabilities, although significant security concerns are likely addressed in newer updates. The leak contributes to preservation efforts, allowing the community to explore Minecraft's development during its console era.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 11

The shipping room is preparing for the 26.1 snapshot, which includes various refinements, technical adjustments, and bug fixes. Players may face an issue where minimizing the game in Fullscreen mode prevents it from being maximized again. Changes include aligned textures for adult and baby Rabbits, new sound variants for Pigs, head rotation for Baby Goats, and updated textures for Baby Hoglins and baby Pandas. The Master Librarian no longer offers Name Tags but now provides Red and Yellow Candles for three Emeralds each, while the Wandering Trader offers Name Tags for one Emerald. The trumpet note block sound assets have been updated, and the Data Pack version is now 100, with a Resource Pack version of 83. New features include a new block state provider and adjustments to block states for Banners and Signs. A new tag, #preventsnearbyleaf_decay, has been added, and various special model types have been introduced for items like Bells and Books. Block state rendering has been adjusted for consistency, and several bugs have been fixed, including issues with Endermen, dragon eggs, and various textures. Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, with instructions for installation and backup provided.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is the only horror game to scare me in over ten years, and that’s why you should buy it

Resident Evil Requiem is the latest installment in the Resident Evil franchise, focusing on horror rather than action. The game features dual protagonists, Grace, an inexperienced FBI analyst, and Leon Kennedy, a seasoned action hero, allowing players to switch between them for different gameplay experiences. Grace's segments are in first-person, enhancing horror elements, while Leon's sections are more action-oriented. The game alternates between the two characters, creating a dynamic narrative that heightens tension and player engagement. The reception has been positive, with the game balancing action and horror effectively. It is currently available for .39 / £49.19 at Fanatical, representing an 18% discount, and includes a free game or coupon with purchase.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika’s original RPG: ‘Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth’

Cara Ellison is a narrative designer whose journey in gaming began with a BBC Micro and the 1987 game Acheton. She has worked as a games journalist for publications like PC Gamer and transitioned into game design, contributing narratives to titles such as Dishonored 2, Void Bastards, God of War: Ragnarok, and Ghost Town. Her latest project is Sleight of Hand, a deckbuilding stealth game inspired by Metal Gear Solid and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines. She has a fondness for the original Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, despite its technical challenges, and has logged 103 hours in Kentucky Route Zero. Ellison keeps Sunless Sea installed on both her work and personal computers, appreciating its narrative depth. For her writing, she uses Scrivener, which she utilized for Void Bastards. Her desktop is relatively tidy, featuring a mix of business and leisure icons, with a wallpaper from Vertigo.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows Package Manager 1.28.190 is final

Microsoft has launched WinGet 1.28.190, aligning its version number with App Installer to resolve discrepancies. The previous version 1.12.470 has been replaced by this update. Key changes include consistent directory separators for portable packages, compatibility of the –suppress-initial-details option with winget configure test, corrections to the experimental “font” property, and the introduction of the experimental sourceEdit feature, which allows users to set a source for package management. The update signifies a consolidation of versioning and enhances clarity for users and administrators.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Centre’s SIM binding directive on app-based messaging platforms ‘unconstitutional’: Tech industry body BIF

The Broadband India Forum (BIF) has expressed legal concerns about the government's SIM binding mandate, stating it is "ultra vires the parent legislation" and "unconstitutional," based on a senior counsel's opinion. This opinion critiques the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Amendment Rules, 2025, claiming they exceed the authority of the Telecommunications Act of 2023. The government's directive requires app-based communication services to maintain a link to a user's active SIM card, which BIF argues violates principles of due process and proportionality. BIF also highlights that the introduction of Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs) alters the scope of telecom regulation improperly, potentially leading to legal conflicts with existing laws like the Information Technology Act. BIF concludes that the amendment rules represent an impermissible expansion of delegated authority under the Telecom Act, advocating for adherence to the statutory framework. The government's directive, aimed at addressing cyber security concerns, would change how users access messaging services in India.