Official app store and digital media shop by Google for Android and ChromeOS
The European Commission has fined Google €890 million for breaching the Digital Markets Act: €460m for favouring its own services in search results and €430m for blocking app developers from steering users away from Google Play. Google has 60 days to comply or face further daily penalties; it is considering an appeal and has warned required changes will degrade services.
Google has expanded its Play Age Signals API to Australia and Canada, with a global rollout by year-end. The tool lets developers share age ranges to tailor apps while preserving privacy. It is optional and relies on parental controls, aiming to satisfy evolving laws requiring age verification in app stores.
Aptoide has become the first third-party app store available in Google Play in the US after a court order tied to the Epic Games case. Google now certifies third-party stores, granting access to its app catalog while keeping storefronts independent. The move follows Epic’s 2023 victory and later legal developments.
Google has unveiled a new Pixel 11 lineup featuring Gemini AI across devices, including Live Transcribe for ASL, Rambler voice transcription, Circle to Search in-camera, and a pro/fold variant lineup with expanded storage and higher prices. New camera and accessibility features aim to showcase AI-driven task automation and smarter interfaces.
Walmart has announced it will start accepting tap‑to‑pay, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations from August 24, 2026, and will roll the feature out to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026; fuel stations will be upgraded by mid‑2027. The company says the move gives customers more choice at checkout.
President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. geographic names database to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Google has updated Google Maps to show “Lake America” to U.S. users while Canadian users still see Lake Ontario; Apple has not yet changed its maps and MapQuest has refused, triggering a surge in downloads and political backlash.
A TechCrunch review of XREAL's a01 wearable display highlights vibrant visuals and portability, but questions practicality for real work and its role as a second monitor.
A federal judge has declined to force Google to sell its AdX ad marketplace, instead ordering ongoing behavioural remedies to restore competition. The decision follows previous rulings finding illegal monopolies in Google’s ad tech stack, while outcomes on other cases remain unresolved. The court will publish specifics after redactions.
Amazon has dropped the Fire branding and introduced three Alexa Tablets running Android with Google Play, priced from $230 to $550. The lineup includes the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, 11, and 8, with features like a 12-inch 120Hz display, Dolby Atmos, and On-Screen Intelligence. Preorders begin today, with shipping slated for October 14 in the US, Mexico, and Canada.