All articles tagged with #google play
A US judge ruled that Google’s handling of third‑party app stores in Google Play creates anticompetitive friction and ordered fixes to make non‑Google stores easier to access and install, giving Google one week to implement the changes (notably for stores like Aptoide).
Google reportedly yanked offline access to The Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition Trilogy purchased on Google Play, illustrating that digital “purchases” are licenses rather than true ownership; with refunds denied and the buyer redirected to YouTube, the backlash highlights ongoing questions about lifelong access to digital content and bolsters the case for physical media like 4K Blu-ray.
Aptoide has made Aptoide Games available on Google Play for Android users in the United States, marking a milestone for third-party app stores on the official Android store. The move follows years of tension between Google and alternative storefronts and a 2024 ruling that opened Play Store to competitors, with Epic Games’ litigation helping spur broader distribution options for developers and more choices for users.
Aptoide Games is arriving on Google Play in the US, allowing users to install a competing gaming store from within Google’s Play Store and signaling a broader move toward open, multi-store Android app distribution.
The European Commission fined Google €890 million ($1 billion) for steering users of Google Search and Google Play toward its own services, alleging a Digital Markets Act violation aimed at limiting competition. It’s the largest DMA penalty to date, with fines potentially increasing if Google fails to comply within 60 days; Brussels says the move is to protect consumers and ensure a level playing field for rivals.
With the Google–Epic settlement withdrawn, Google will begin distributing third-party app stores on Google Play starting July 22. Rival stores will have default access to the full Play catalog, with developers able to opt out, and stores must meet security, IP, and update/uninstall requirements. A $5,000 annual compliance fee applies, and stores can be removed for malware issues. The rollout is framed as a global “Registered App Stores” program to boost competition and user choice while preserving Android security; US rollout details remain to be clarified.
Google plans to replace its flat 30 percent Play Store fee with lower, decoupled rates and allow developers to use outside payment methods, with tiered cuts based on revenue and whether developers use Google Play Billing; changes will roll out in stages—with some regions by September and a global rollout by 2027—alongside programs like Games Level Up and Apps Experience to qualify for lower rates.
Google Play is offering a limited-time Play Points perk that can trim up to $60 off the Google TV Streamer (4K) bundle for eligible members, with Platinum level likely required for the full $60 and Gold level around $50. The discount is redeemed via the Play Points Perks page and valid through June 21, 2026, while supplies last.
During Google I/O 2026, Google unveiled AI Studio, a prompt-driven tool to build native Android apps with an embedded emulator and optional real-device testing, targeting personal-utility, hardware-enabled, and Gemini-powered experiences; apps created with AI Studio must still pass Google Play’s quality standards, and Google also released a 1.0 Android CLI and plans for Gemini-backed app recommendations and a Play Shorts feed for apps.
Trump Mobile’s CEO Pat O’Brien told USA Today that the Trump Phone (T1) will begin shipping to buyers this week and that all preorders will be fulfilled in the coming weeks, despite an 11-month delay since its announcement. The phone has FCC and PTCRB certifications and was added to Google Play’s device list, with a new promo video released amid viral reports of canceled preorders that lack verified evidence or numbers; The Verge has preorder units but no confirmed delivery yet.
Bloomberg reports that Apple and Google continue to host nudifying apps that can alter images to appear nude despite store rules; the Tech Transparency Project found 18 nudify-capable apps in the Apple App Store and 20 in Google Play, with 483 million downloads and $122 million in revenue. Apple has removed several identified apps and blocked related search terms after Bloomberg’s inquiry, while Google says it has suspended many apps for policy violations. Researchers warn that enforcement is uneven and that autocomplete can boost visibility. Regulators in the US and UK are moving to curb non-consensual sexual content.
Tech Transparency Project finds 18 nudify apps in Apple's App Store and 20 in Google Play—capable of nude transformations or pornographic deepfakes—with about 483 million downloads and $122 million in revenue; Apple says it removed several apps, Google suspended others, and both platforms say they enforce policies banning sexual content as enforcement continues.
Google has removed the visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club from the Play Store, citing violations of its terms of service related to sensitive themes. The game's creator Dan Salvato and publisher Serenity Forge say they are exploring options to reinstate the title on Android and are considering alternate distribution methods while continuing to advocate for DDLC on other platforms.
Google Play unveils a buy-once, play-anywhere option for select paid games, letting a single purchase unlock cross‑device play on mobile and PC with upcoming Game Trials and progress carryover.
Google and Epic have reached a global settlement ending their antitrust fight over the Play Store, with lower fees and permission for registered third-party app stores on Android. The deal outlines a new fee structure (5% Google billing fee plus 15% service fee for new installs, 20% for existing installs), 15% total for new app purchases, and 10% for subscriptions, and includes broader store access policy; rollout begins in the US/UK/Europe by mid-2027, Fortnite is expected back on the Play Store subject to court approval.