Google Play introduces policies to boost app quality

Google Play has announced a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the platform's overall experience and steer users away from low-quality applications.

Verification requirements update

Earlier this year, Google Play introduced an expanded set of verification requirements for all developers, a move to empower users to make informed choices, combat malware, and reduce fraud. The company has now provided details on how developers with existing accounts can comply with these...

13 November 2023 | Android

Google scraps controversial Web Environment Integrity API

Google has officially scrapped its controversial Web Environment Integrity API proposal, which was likened to digital rights management (DRM) for the open web.

The API, which was at the proposal stage, aimed to allow websites to verify the authenticity of users and their devices or browsers.

Google's intentions behind this initiative were to enhance user trust in online environments and combat issues such as social media manipulation, phishing campaigns, non-human...

3 November 2023 | Android

Google prepares Android for the RISC-V era

Google is bolstering its support for the RISC-V open instruction set architecture (ISA) in Android.

RISC-V – developed a decade ago at the University of California, Berkeley – has rapidly gained popularity in various spaces, from embedded systems to servers and mobile computing. Google's move towards integrating RISC-V into Android signals a new era of collaboration and innovation in the hardware ecosystem.

At the RISC-V Summit in 2022, Google revealed that it had...

1 November 2023 | Android

Android finally checks sideloaded apps for malware before installs

In response to growing cyber threats, Google has introduced an update to bolster Android security. This enhancement focuses on strengthening malware detection before app installations, ensuring a safer Android ecosystem.

With this update, Google Play Protect now conducts real-time scans at the code-level during the app installation process:

By providing users with immediate feedback about the safety of the apps they are installing, Google empowers its users to make...

19 October 2023 | Android

Mozilla is launching Android support for Firefox extensions

Mozilla has announced its plans to introduce an open ecosystem of extensions for Firefox on Android, offering a range of possibilities for developers to optimise their desktop extensions for mobile usage.

The exact launch date is set to be revealed in early September, with expectations of the rollout occurring before the close of this year. Firefox will then become the sole major Android browser to support an open extension ecosystem.

While Firefox for Android has been...

14 August 2023 | Android

Google Play now supports Web3 experiences

Google Play is updating its policies to support “blockchain-based experiences” in recognition of Web3’s potential.

“As a platform, we always want to help developers bring innovative ideas to life. Google Play hosts a variety of blockchain-related apps, and we know that our partners are excited to expand on these offerings to create more engaging and immersive digital experiences with tokenised digital assets such as NFTs,” wrote Joseph Mills, Group Product Manager for...

13 July 2023 | Android

Japan sets its sights on mobile app store monopolies

Japan has joined the growing list of nations pushing for reforms in the mobile ecosystem.

The Japanese government recently held its seventh Digital Market Competition Conference, during which a ‘Competitive Evaluation of Mobile Ecosystems’ report was presented. This report highlighted the critical role mobile ecosystems play in today's digital landscape and emphasised the need for more options and fair competition.

One of the key recommendations of the report is to...

19 June 2023 | Android

Google proposes allowing Android developers to use alternative billing systems

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has invited developers and interested parties to respond to Google's proposal to allow Android developers to use alternative billing systems.

“Google’s complete control over in-app payments raised concerns this unfairly restricted app developers – by forcing them to use Google Play’s billing system – putting distance between them and their customers and reducing competition, to the detriment of Google Play users,” said...

20 April 2023 | Android

Google wants developers to bring their IoT apps to cars

Google is making it easier for developers to bring their Internet of Things (IoT) apps to cars.

Developers can begin building their IoT apps for cars using driving-optimised templates from the ‘Android for Cars App Library’.

The Automotive OS emulator for Android Automotive OS and the DHU for Android Auto simplifies testing apps for this category.

Interested developers should check out the updated documentation, car quality guidelines, and design...

13 April 2023 | Android

Microsoft intends to launch a mobile app store

Microsoft is planning to launch a mobile app store that will compete against the App Store and Play Store.

According to Microsoft’s Xbox head Phil Spencer, Microsoft will take advantage of an upcoming EU law that will break up the monopoly held by the two major smartphone platform holders.

"We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play," Spencer told the...

21 March 2023 | Android