Not very way back, APKMirror was Android Police’s sister web site, so
sideloaded apps
are and at all times can be a part of our DNA. However with the modifications Google was noticed making to
Android 15’s
sideloading insurance policies this week, websites like APKMirror can be held at a definite drawback in comparison with Google Play and
third-party app stores
, with the apps you obtain from them dropping entry to highly effective permissions.
This week in Android additionally noticed quite a few consumer complaints about early issues with the shiny new
Pixel 9
collection, as is custom with Google telephones. In the meantime, Apple’s latest iPhone is able to be emulated by your favourite Android OEM, third-party launchers are unionizing, and the leaks have began to pour in about Samsung’s upcoming
Galaxy S25
collection.
The wild west days of sideloading on Android are over
Google and Apple’s app retailer practices have been the topic of a number of authorized mandates during the last couple of years, just like the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and directives from India’s Competitors Committee. However when laws mandated that Apple and Google give third-party app shops a good shot on their platforms, most of us assumed not a lot would change on Android, contemplating how simple it has at all times been to sideload an APK file. However what we weren’t interested by had been the ripple results.
A few of these guidelines require that Google provides third-party app shops entry to the identical quality-of-life options customers get pleasure from with the Play Retailer, like the flexibility to mechanically replace put in apps. So Google built a system for third-party app stores to faucet into — however now, it seems the corporate is making an attempt to push APK distribution platforms to this new mannequin by limiting what apps can do in the event that they’re downloaded from a supply that does not use the brand new system.
The Android 15 Compatibility Definition Doc was revealed just lately, and Mishaal Rahman noticed a brand new coverage in it that makes it easier for apps to detect and block sideloading. In a follow-up put up, Rahman defined that the coverage applied in Android 13 that disallows entry to sure delicate permissions for sideloaded apps is being expanded within the new model — now, apps will not be capable of entry the SMS permission, machine admin privileges, and a number of other different delicate APIs unless they’re installed from the Play Store or a third-party app store that makes use of Google’s new methods.
Pixel 9 Professional issues paint a predictable image
You are able to do all of the beta testing on the earth, however the actual bugs solely present up as soon as customers get their arms on a product. Each new cellphone ships with at the least a number of day-one bugs that may spoil an in any other case flawless launch — even Apple’s iPhone 15 had studies of overheating and freezing throughout setup. However Google, being one of many newer smartphone OEMs on the scene, appears to have greater than its fair proportion of those issues.
This week, Pixel 9 Professional Fold patrons lastly received their new foldables and had been upset to search out that 5G service doesn’t work as expected on AT&T for a lot of customers. But when that weren’t dangerous sufficient, studies began pouring in that the Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold might have a Bluetooth range problem. Our personal telephones appear to be affected by this drawback, too, and we’re pondering the brand new UWB radio on the Professional fashions may be enjoying a task.
Android will get a brand new nemesis
Sure, we have heard the Apple Police jokes, and no, we’re not going to make the iPhone a significant focus of this web site — however we do must acknowledge the 200-gram elephant within the room. On Monday, Apple introduced the iPhone 16 collection, and this 12 months’s theme was AI and buttons. Android OEMs are already on high of the AI half for certain, however you possibly can anticipate them to begin copying the digital camera button any day now, as a result of it’s actually pretty cool.
However Apple will not be taking the homework copying mendacity down — this 12 months, the corporate positioned a very prominent “Switch from Android to iPhone” button on the highest of its iPhone 16 retail itemizing, linking potential patrons to a web page exhibiting how simple it’s to modify ecosystems today. The corporate even made an attraction to “anybody new to iPhone” throughout its keynote, so it is protected to say Apple’s not glad with its market share simply but.
Galaxy S25 rumors begin to pour in
With the Pixel 9 official and the Galaxy S24 FE anticipated any day now, the Galaxy S25 collection now has the total consideration of Android leakers all over the place. And it definitely confirmed this week, because the rumors actually began pouring in.
We received our greatest look but at the design of the Galaxy S25, even when it’s a little acquainted. We additionally noticed the Galaxy S25 Ultra in leaked renders, and it is sporting curved corners with flat sides. The S25 Ultra’s dimensions are apparently locked in, and it appears as if Samsung has managed to shave more than a few grams off the weight. However probably the most thrilling rumor from the final seven days was one about a massive upgrade to the ultrawide camera — a brand new 50MP sensor is claimed to be behind the secondary lens.
Third-party launchers be part of forces to spotlight Google’s flawed system
Ever since Android 9.0 Pie’s QuickStep gesture was launched and Android 10 expanded to full gestural navigation, third-party launchers have been a bit buggy on Android. Google built-in components of the launcher into the multitasking interface to enhance the expertise, however the hassle is, it nonetheless hasn’t opened up a QuickStep API for customized launchers to faucet into the brand new system correctly.
Now, the builders behind a number of fashionable third-party launcher apps have fashioned a union of kinds to name consideration to the difficulty. Of us behind Nova Launcher, Niagara, Good Launcher, and Lawnchair have joined forces to solicit public feedback in regards to the issues. The group plans to current knowledge from this survey to Google’s Android engineers in October, so there’s renewed hope that customized house display screen apps may quickly match the smoothness of inventory launchers like One UI House and the Pixel Launcher.
