Microsoft to launch web-based mobile app store in July

At the Bloomberg Technology Summit, Microsoft’s President of Xbox, Sarah Bond, declared that the company is set to launch its new mobile store this July. This long-discussed move aims to establish an alternative to dominant marketplaces like the App Store and Play Store.

Unlike traditional approaches, Microsoft plans to roll out its mobile game store via the web, rather than as a native application. This strategy allows the company to circumvent restrictive app store policies...

10 May 2024 | Android

Google blocked 2M malicious apps from the Play Store in 2023

Google blocked 2.28 million policy-violating apps from being published on the Play Store in 2023, thanks to improved security measures and tighter developer vetting processes. The company rejected or had developers remediate almost 200,000 app submissions to prevent abuse of sensitive permissions like location tracking and SMS access.  

The company says providing a safe and trusted Play Store experience is its top priority, underpinned by principles to "safeguard users",...

30 April 2024 | Android

IDC expects Android to grow at ‘twice the pace of iOS’

IDC predicts that Android is set for significant growth in 2024, outpacing Apple's iOS by a considerable margin. Amid shifting market dynamics, Android is expected to expand at "twice the pace" of iOS.

The iPhone has always performed strongly in the US but its growth internationally has contributed to Android's squeezed marketshare in recent years, despite Android maintaining a majority on a global scale. Nonetheless, IDC's latest projections indicate a robust rebound for Android,...

16 April 2024 | Android

Android 15 beta improves edge-to-edge, app archiving, and security

Google has released the first Android 15 beta with enhanced screen real estate utilisation, app archiving, and the bolstering of security measures. 

The tech giant has focused on optimising Android 15 for larger displays, such as those on foldable devices and tablets, by enabling apps' edge-to-edge capabilities by default. This move is will benefit developers by eliminating the need for them to explicitly command the app to engage these features. Additionally, developers will...

12 April 2024 | Android

GitHub updates Innovation Graph with latest developer trends

GitHub's Innovation Graph has been updated with data from Q4 2023, offering a comprehensive view of global developer activity over the past four years.

The latest findings highlight the increasing popularity of AI among developers, leading to a rise in project documentation. This trend is attributed to the widespread use of chat-based generative AI tools like GitHub Copilot Chat and ChatGPT.

"While we recognise that it's not a panacea, perhaps generative AI technologies...

10 April 2024 | Android

Epic to launch iOS and Android store with controversial 12% cut

In the ongoing saga of tech giants battling over App Store fees and policies, Epic Games is being accused of hypocrisy as it attempts to introduce its own 12 percent commission store.

The gaming company – joined by heavyweights like Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match Group – is protesting against Apple's handling of App Store fees and its anti-steering policy in California.

Following a series of legal battles between Apple and Epic, which mostly ended in Apple's favour, a...

21 March 2024 | Android

Google paid $10M to bug hunters in 2023

Google has revealed that it paid out $10 million to over 600 bug hunters from 68 countries in 2023.

Throughout the year, Google's bug hunter community played a pivotal role in identifying and addressing thousands of vulnerabilities across various Google platforms. The company's dedication to incentivising researchers saw the introduction of several new programs and improvements to existing ones.

Among the notable developments was the launch of the Bonus Awards program,...

13 March 2024 | Android

Google improves Android device orientation accuracy

Google has announced a new device orientation solution for Android map developers called the Fused Orientation Provider (FOP) API in Play services. This API aims to provide more consistent and high-performance device orientation capabilities across devices.

“Device orientation, or attitude, is used as an input signal for many use cases: virtual or augmented reality, gesture detection, or compass and navigation – any time the app needs the orientation of a device in relation to...

8 March 2024 | Android

Google: Meta’s approach to Android 14 is a ‘blueprint’ for success 

Google has shed light on how Meta approaches tackling challenges and streamlining processes to enhance Android app development.

Following the rollout of Android 11, Meta embarked on a transformative journey, establishing the "Android OS Readiness Program." This move was prompted by identified hurdles concerning existing features such as Chat Heads and emerging requirements like scoped storage integration.

A major bottleneck in addressing these issues stemmed from...

5 March 2024 | Android

Google experiments with AI-generated ‘App Highlights’ in Play Store

Google's quest for integrating AI across its products and services continues as the tech giant is now turning to using it for enhancing the Play Store experience. According to reports, Google is experimenting with using AI to generate information for the App Highlights section in the Play Store.

An update shared on social media by code sleuth @AssembleDebug has revealed that when users tap on an app in the Play Store, they may now see information about the app's features and...

20 February 2024 | Android