Why it matters: The ruling has the potential to reshape the mobile app market, offering new opportunities for developers and possibly lowering prices for consumers. It could also set a precedent for how app stores operate in the future, potentially influencing similar cases against other tech giants, such as the ongoing dispute between Epic Games and Apple over the iPhone maker's App Store policies.
Big if True: Huawei officially launched the first version of HarmonyOS in 2019, debuting it alongside the company's Honor Smart TVs. Now, the Chinese conglomerate is reportedly ready to take its ambitious project for a fully independent operating system to the next level.
A new API, if leveraged, will force users to use Play Store versions instead
A hot potato: Apple's infamous "walled garden" approach is often cited as an example of limiting consumer freedom, but it seems the Android ecosystem is erecting restrictive fences as well. The most recent development in this direction is Google supercharging its Play Integrity API to give developers more power to block apps installed outside the Play Store.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a larger 8-inch display, improved battery life, and the "power" of Gemini AI. However, weaker software and minimal camera improvements make it a tough sell, say reviewers.
The entire Pixel smartphone lineup has been redesigned, keeping their excellent cameras and featuring what Google claims is all-day battery life. Additionally, allthreemodels now include AI features; however, they come at a higher price.