F-Droid, the open-source Android app repository, announced it would cease to function in its current form if Google enforces mandatory registration of developers and applications. The organization urges users, regulators, and antitrust authorities to oppose measures that restrict the installation of third-party Android apps. Such restrictions, F-Droid states, undermine user freedom and jeopardize alternative app directories that prioritize user interests over commercial gain.
Category: Android
Google Confirmed the Upcoming Merger of Android and Chrome OS
Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem Development at Google, confirmed at the Qualcomm Summit that efforts to merge Android and Chrome OS will deliver notable results to users by 2026. Android will serve as the foundational platform, with expanded capabilities tailored for laptops and PCs. Early bits of this convergence already appear in Android 15 and 16, which introduce desktop mode and optimizations for larger screens.
Google Makes Mandatory Verified Apps on Certified Android Devices
Google has announced new requirements for application installation on certified Android devices. Starting in 2025, only apps from developers who register with Google and verify their identity will be allowed on these devices.
Android gets built-in ability to run GUI Linux apps
The Android Canary branch has received an update enabling support for graphical Linux applications. It also changes the former Android Developer Preview program and targets early testing of upcoming Android features.
Google Plans to Merge Chrome OS and Android for Better Cross-Device Integration
In a recent interview, Sameer Samat, Google’s president of Android ecosystem development, revealed the company’s intention to merge Chrome OS and Android into a single unified platform. Google wants to understand better how users interact with their devices, particularly laptops, and then build cross-device functionality based on real-world usage patterns.
Gemini can now read and analyze your messages and notes on Android
Google has empowered the Gemini AI engine with the ability to interact with third-party applications such as WhatsApp, Messages, and Phone caller/dialer. The update enables this capability even on devices where such integrations were previously restricted.
Changes in Android 16 Source Code Spark Rumors That Google Will Shut Down AOSP
Developers of CalyxOS, an Android firmware variant independent of Google services, have raised concerns over Google’s decision to exclude certain components related to Pixel device support from the Android 16 release in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository.
Meta and Yandex secretly tracked users via their Android apps
Meta and Yandex secretly tracked users and bypassed privacy tools like incognito mode and cookie-clearing features. They used a technique called session deanonymization on Android devices when users visited websites that used Yandex Metrica or Facebook Pixel analytics.
Google to Add Enhanced Security Mode to Android 16
Google has unveiled a new security option for the upcoming Android 16 release: Advanced Protection mode . This new enhancement aims at safeguarding devices against targeted attacks, unauthorized access, and potential compromises. The feature combines existing security options with several innovative mechanisms to provide users with an extra layer of protection.
Your Favorite Xiaomi Smartphone Isn’t Made by Xiaomi at All, and That’s Why It Is So Cheap
Many people know that Xiaomi, Honor, Tecno, or Realme don’t actually make phones themselves. But what if I told you they don’t even develop them? Many budget models are only sold under these brands. Other companies handle the entire development and production process from start to finish. These companies remain unknown to most people, but without them, there would be no “top for your money.” Let’s break down what this means and how it happened.