Meta, Spotify, and others unite to challenge the Apple-Google app store duopoly
The walled gardens will crumble if the new alliance has anything to say about it
Google play articles
Google Play shrinks by 47 percent following Android's store policy overhaul
Last year Google blocked 2.36 million apps that violated store policies
Android phones will auto-reboot after 3 days of inactivity
Frustrating criminals and law enforcement
Android users will soon be able to pause Google's anti-malware service for sideloading
Play Protect will automatically reactivate after a while
Not for the first time: North Korean hackers used fake apps to spread spyware on Android
The malicious app had limited downloads before being removed
Google blocked 2.36 million untrusted apps from reaching Android, yet risks remain
Google's numbers and recent security reports tell two different stories about Android safety
Google Play Store app update improves notifications
The latest version introduces notifications alerting users when an app update is required to address a system issue. Additionally, users can now preview audio clips before installing an app. You can download the updated Google Play Store APK here.
Microsoft accuses Google of blocking game purchases on Xbox Android app
Google fires back, reigniting arguments over sideloading and commission fees
Google ordered to overhaul Android app store in landmark antitrust ruling
The tech giant plans to appeal
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.
Kaspersky products have been removed from the Google Play Store
Kaspersky isn't giving up on mobile, though
Android's latest security feature will lock out devices when detecting "motion associated with theft"
The phone will quickly lock upon detection, keeping your data safe
Epic Games sues Google and Samsung alleging collusion to block Play Store alternatives
"Allowing this coordinated illegal anti-competitive dealing to proceed hurts developers and consumers"
Necro Trojan resurfaces on Android, infects 11 million devices via popular apps
The latest version has new features and infiltration methods
Android apps can now block usage if sideloading is detected
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.
Google Play Store may soon let you update sideloaded apps
Making a cumbersome process more user friendly
Highly sophisticated malware lurked in Google's Play Store for years, undetected
Cyber-criminals were even fixing bugs in the fake apps their malware was hiding in
Google is set to remove low-quality Android apps with "limited functionality" soon
Several other new security policies also take effect on August 31
Devious "Brokewell" trojan masquerades as Chrome browser update to steal your banking data
Brokewell could make you broke if it gains control of your device
Google flexes security muscle, says it stopped 2.2 million rogue apps from hitting Play Store in 2023
A couple of crypto scammers also received some legal treatment
Google Play will soon let users remotely uninstall apps
The remote install feature has been available for quite some time now
Google trial exposes sweetheart deal with Spotify
Now that the cat is out of the bag, everyone is going to want a better deal
Google Play Protect adds real-time malware scanning for Android app installs
It will prompt you to scan unknown apps before installing
Google is changing the Play Store for foldable phones and large-screen devices
Bigger is better, according to Google
Watch out for sneaky ChatGPT scams in Google Play and Apple's App Store
Most AI chatbots for mobile devices are fleeceware to be avoided