Google's making a big change to Android 12 that makes Apple look bad

Google'due south making a big change to Android 12 that makes Apple tree look bad

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Google is going to arrive easier for Android users to install alternative app stores on their devices. The update, which will curlicue out with Android 12, will allow third-political party stores to install and update apps without requiring user permission.

According to XDA Developers, it's an endeavor to make Android a bit friendlier for people who want to switch away from the Play Store, or who merely have an alternative app store for sure specific uses.

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It would be airheaded not to ignore the context of what's happening currently with the Apple tree vs Epic Games lawsuit. Apple tree has been criticized past Ballsy for not assuasive it to go on all of the money from in-app purchases. Lawyers have also discussed in court the refusal past Apple to permit third-party stores. Epic too has beef with Google over similar issues, so it would be natural to assume that mayhap this will deflect some of that criticism.

If Google is moving to have these 3rd-party stores it does, perhaps, put actress pressure on Apple. Could this exist something the judge demands, depending on the verdict in the trial? It'due south hard to tell, but whatever decision is made will have far-ranging implications for all hardware companies, including Sony and Microsoft, which both lock their consoles downwards to simply apply their ain app stores.

Third-party app stores have e'er been more of an selection on Android phones. You may have installed Amazon'due south or those from a multitude of other sources. Depending on who makes them, the risks range from relatively pocket-size right upwards to your telephone being used to mine cryptocurrency while yous're non using it.

This won't exist a bypass of security though. Users will need to agree for these stores to update their apps without permission. Google might also require these stores to be checked over by its internal teams, too, with the aim of reducing risks to users.

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Ian has been involved in engineering science journalism since 2007, originally writing about AV hardware back when LCDs and plasma TVs were just gaining popularity. Nearly 15 years on, he remains every bit excited as always well-nigh how tech tin make your life better. Ian is the editor of T3.com merely has also regularly contributed to Tom's Guide.