Google recently announced its plans for the future of the Play Store following its loss in a lengthy legal battle against Epic over unfair anti-competitive practices. While some of the new policies seem more developer-friendly, concerns arise regarding potential regressions on the Android platform.
As part of the settlement, Google is obligated to pay a $700 million fine, a relatively small amount compared to its monthly Play Store revenues. Additionally, the company must make changes to its Play Store policies. These changes include allowing manufacturers to provide alternative app stores alongside the Play Store on new devices, simplifying the process of downloading apps from outside the store with a single command, and enabling developers to offer alternative payment options.
However, the new rules are not without flaws. Developers will have the ability to contact users outside of the app, which may lead to increased promotional spam. Furthermore, they will be able to display pricing information within the app, taking up valuable screen space and adding to the already prevalent advertising. There will also be a difference in app updates, as developers will no longer be required to update simultaneously on all platforms.
Another concerning change is the potential return of bloatware, as Google will not be able to prevent device manufacturers from preinstalling apps on devices for the next four years. This may lead to an even more cluttered user experience, especially on low-performance devices.
Epic Games, the company that initiated the legal process, expressed dissatisfaction with the settlement. CEO Tim Sweeney called it a “miscarriage of justice” towards Android users and developers, arguing that the reduction in store fees replaces other fees.
While the changes in the Play Store aim to create a more developer-friendly environment, there are concerns about the negative impact on user experience and potential exploitation by developers. The final terms of the settlement will be determined by the judge on February 8, 2024, leaving room for further adjustments in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Question: What changes is Google making to its Play Store?
Answer: Google is making changes that allow manufacturers to provide alternative app stores alongside the Play Store on new devices, simplify the process of downloading apps from outside the store, and allow developers to offer alternative payment options.
Question: What are the concerns regarding these changes?
Answer: Some concerns include an increase in promotional spam, displaying pricing information within apps, differences in app updates, and the potential return of bloatware.
Question: What is bloatware?
Answer: Bloatware refers to preinstalled apps or programs on devices that are often unnecessary or difficult to remove.
Source:
Google Play Store changes and the future of Android – [link]
The source of the article is from the blog elektrischnederland.nl