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lundi 28 septembre 2020

Best Android Apps in 2020

Android apps continue to get more and more powerful in 2020 as they take advantage of the new hardware we see in modern smartphones. Some of the best apps are totally free to use, while others let you get a subscription to unlock premium original content. This list will highlight the best Android apps for each category.

Navigate this guide:

Best Android Apps for Movies & Video

There are several aspects that go into making a great video app. If you are subscribing to a service that offers streaming movies, you’ll want to know that your movies will be streamed at the highest quality with little buffering. You also have to take into consideration their selection of titles and original content. For media players, you need something that can play many different types of files. Nobody wants to use more than one media player for their audio or video files. So something that can support all files, while offering features like subtitle customization, video preferences, and playback interface edits is ideal. With these in mind, here are the best movie and video apps in 2020.

Netflix

The Netflix app is a very reliable app and is essential for anyone who has a Netflix subscription. Easily continue watching your movies and shows where you left off, or find great new originals based on your watch history. Netflix has built one of the largest catalogs of any subscription-based streaming service. Some of the best original series are now premiering on Netflix. You can try the service as a 30-day trial to experience their selection.

Netflix (Free+, Google Play) →

VLC

VLC 3.3 Android

VLC is the most popular video player for PC, with its ability to playback almost any video or audio file you throw at it. The Android app is no different. This player will be able to play movies, videos, music, photos, and more. It’s totally free to download and is completely ad-free. If you have a phone or tablet with a high-resolution display, VLC will be able to decode the larger videos files that can really take full advantage of your hardware.

VLC for Android (Free+, Google Play) →

YouTube

The official YouTube app is the best way to watch YouTube. It’s compatible with tons of different types of devices and is one of the most popular Android apps ever. You can also manage your YouTube channel and access all of your creator tools. The YouTube app supports high-resolution playback for 4K videos. YouTube also supports picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, so you can keep watching while you use other apps. For watching online video content, the official YouTube app is the best solution.

YouTube (Free, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for Music & Audio

Choosing the right music subscription can be tricky. While a big part of choosing will be looking at the content selection and quality of the music, you also have to consider how well the app works with the service. Different types of music lovers will be interested in different apps. For many people, it’s important to have high-quality lossless playback options. This is how you can get the most out of your high-end speakers or headphones. Other users might care more about the search and radio features. These apps should satisfy any music-lovers needs.

Apple Music

Apple Music gives you unlimited access to millions of songs and your entire Apple Music library. All of this content is ad-free and available right from your Android device, iPhone, iPad, or Mac or PC. This is the more obvious solution for someone that uses Apple devices in conjunction with Android. Apple Music supports the highest quality playback of lossless media files. You can try Apple Music for free for the first three months. A subscription costs $9.99 per month.

Apple Music (Free, Google Play) →

Spotify

Spotify is one of the most popular music apps in the world and has a massive collection of music. You can listen for free, or get a premium subscription for ad-free playback. Spotify has one of the best personalized radio systems. It’s very good at figuring out what you like to listen to, and introducing you to new music. The Spotify user interface is one of the best out of any music app.

Spotify - Music and Podcasts (Free, Google Play) →

YouTube Music

YouTube Music is now the official music app from Google. It will works really well with your existing Google ecosystem. Enjoy high-quality songs, radio stations, music videos, and more. YouTube Music is replacing its previous Google Play Music service as the default service from Google. It has been a strange transition as Google tries yo push its users to YouTube Music, but in 2020 YouTube Music is now one of the best music apps.

YouTube Music - Stream Songs & Music Videos (Free, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for News

News apps can be difficult to get right. People are very particular when it comes to their news sources. These apps will help you get the news that’s most important to you. We looked for the apps with the best news features that readers enjoy. Highlights, videos, in-depth articles, opinions, and more. All of these things are important to consider when looking for a great news app.

Google News

Google News is a personalized news aggregator that organizes and highlights what’s happening in the world so you can discover more about the stories that matter to you. It’s very good and learning your interests and feeding you relevant news stories. Your stories will be selected based on your preferred sources, local news, interested topics, and previously saved stories. It’s free to use and has great performance on Android devices.

Google News - Top world & local news headlines (Free, Google Play) →

National Geographic

A source of endless inspiration for the everyday explorer and the insatiably curious, the National Geographic app reveals new insights into cultures, ideas, and discoveries through high-definition storytelling. Your free account gives you full access to a personalized feed of the topics you love. Give the National Geographic app a shot and use your existing magazine subscription to get access to digital copies.

National Geographic (Free+, Google Play) →

Axios

Axios is a highly-rated news app that is elegant and simple to use. They cover politics, business, culture, science, and technology. The app provides a clean reading experience that puts the news you care about front and center. You start by following specific channels that correspond to topics that interest you. You can then access relevant content either in a single integrated feed or by hopping from channel to channel.

Axios (Free, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for Sports

The Google Play store has a huge variety of sports apps available. Depending on what type of sports you’re in to, you’ll find that different apps can serve totally different purposes. You might need one app to follow your favorite teams, while another app helps you find local games and related events. These are the best sports-related apps for 2020.

Fishing Spots

The ultimate fishing guide! Discover local fishing spots, get seven-day fishing forecasts, and track all your catches with a robust fishing logbook. Connect with anglers, get tips & share your catches. This is one of the most popular apps used by fishermen. Explore fishing maps that show locations, photos, and catch details. Find the best times to fish with our robust fishing forecast. Then create your personal logbook and capture the details of every trip.

Fishing Spots - Local Fishing Maps & Forecast (Free, Google Play) →

NFL

If you’re a fan of football then you’ll want to have the official NFL app. This app is essential for all NLF fans and keeps you up to date with NLF Game Pass. The NFL app keeps fans fully updated all off-season long, with breaking NFL news, highlights, stats & more. It doesn’t matter where you are, the NFL app has you covered. Articles and video highlights featuring the latest stories and breaking news from all around the NFL.

NFL (Free+, Google Play) →

theScore

theScore is the best app for tracking the latest stats from your favorite teams. It covers a wide range of sports and has an easy to use design. Keep track of every major league competition.

theScore: Live Sports Scores, News, Stats & Videos (Free, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for Social

Social media is a constantly changing industry. Apps can pop up overnight and quickly become the most popular in this category. There’s no need for us to go over Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or LinkedIn. These websites are less relevant in 2020, as the next generation embraces these apps from the selection below.

TikTok

TikTok is by far the hottest social media app in 2020. Scroll through an endless stream of original videos with instant playback. TikTok is like flipping through channels on your TV, but you never stop changing channels, and only the best parts of the shows are played. TikTok has tons of different effects and filters to make your videos fun and easy to make. You can explore different videos by trending topics or sounds.

TikTok - Trends Start Here (Free+, Google Play) →

Snapchat is still one of the most popular ways to communicate with your friends in 2020. The app has been around for a long time and has been through many different redesigns. The 2020 design of Snapchat has the best filters and is still the easiest way to send a short video to one of your friends. Snapchat opens right to the camera, so you can send a Snap in seconds! Just take a photo or video, add a caption, and send it to your best friends and family. Express yourself with Filters, Lenses, Bitmojis, and all kinds of fun effects.

Snapchat (Free+, Google Play) →

Discord

Discord has become the best community management app there is. It’s one of the only apps where you can find large groups of people and instantly video or voice call with them. With Discord’s massive userbase, chances are that your friends are already on here. Don’t be left out! It’s easy to start your own server and set up everything the way you like it. Create voice channels, text channels, and different roles for your members.

Discord - Talk, Video Chat & Hang Out with Friends (Free+, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for Messaging

When you’re picking a good messaging app, you want to find something that’s hopefully going to have to be the only messaging app you use. Unfortunately, this is seldom the case. People find themselves using tons of different messaging apps to reach all of their friends. These messaging apps are the most popular and have all the features you’d need and more. Hopefully one of these will be able to replace your collection of communication apps in 2020.

Telegram

Telegram is a great solution for messaging to your friends or coworkers. Group chats, video calls, voice calls, and file sharing are all supported. The app is free and supports a massive amount of features. You can send media and files, without any limits on their type and size. Your entire chat history will require no disk space on your device and will be securely stored in the Telegram cloud for as long as you need it.

Telegram (Free, Google Play) →

Signal

Signal focuses on privacy, with its end-to-end encrypted messaging. You can also take advantage of disappearing messages, voice calls, video calls, and file sharing. Signal’s advanced privacy-preserving technology is always enabled, so you can focus on sharing the moments that matter with the people who matter to you. Messages are delivered quickly and reliably, even on slow networks. Signal is optimized to operate in the most constrained environment possible.

Signal Private Messenger (Free, Google Play) →

Facebook Messenger Lite

 

If you have a Facebook account, you can use Messenger Lite with your existing profile. It might be the most convenient way to connect with friends and family. The stand-alone messaging app is super light-weight while still supporting all the essential features like video and voice calls. With the app size being only 10MB, installs quickly and is compatible with lower-end phones.

Messenger Lite: Free Calls & Messages (Free, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for Dating

Technology can be really good at matching you up with new friends or love interests. You can use one of these apps to find and meet new people in your area. We looked for the apps that are the most popular, and have the best success in matching people up.

Tinder

Tinder has been the go-to app for dating for many years now. Tinder lets you swipe through people in your area, and match with others that are interested in you. You can use Tinder for free with some limitations, or get a subscription to unlock more features. If you need some help matching with more people, you can use Tinder’s boost and gold subscriptions to reach more people. You can also change the geographical location of where you want to search for matches.

Tinder - Dating, Make Friends and Meet New People (Free+, Google Play) →

Bumble

More than 100 million people have registered on Bumble to create meaningful relationships, find online friends, and make purposeful connections. Bumble is a dating app that allows you to make new connections, whether you’re looking for a partner, to make new friends, or to expand your professional network. While other apps are designed strictly for dating, Bumble is much better if you’re just looking for casual friends.

Bumble – Dating. Friends. Business (Free+, Google Play) →

Plenty of Fish

It seems like Plenty of Fish has been around since the beginning of the internet. So they have tons of experience matching people up. This app has 1.5 million downloads in 2020. POF is the preferred singles dating app because you can view matches and communicate for free. Unlike smaller dating apps, POF has the most users and thus, the highest chance for you to find your relationship!

Plenty of Fish Free Dating App (Free+, Google Play) →

Best Samsung Galaxy Phones for every budget and need!

Best Android Apps for Reading

Are you a bookworm? Reading on your smartphone or tablet doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. These apps will help you read with great user interfaces and good book-related features. You can also find new books based on your interests and save them all to your account.

Kindle

On the bus, on your break, in your bed—never be without a book. Built for book lovers, the Kindle app puts millions of books, magazines, newspapers, comics, and manga at your fingertips. Since Kindle has been around for so long and has a long history with e-reading hardware, many users have depended on them to store their digital book library. If you already use Kindle, or have in the past, this may be the best reading app for you.

Amazon Kindle (Free, Google Play) →

NOOK

NOOK is the popular e-reading app from Barnes & Noble. Access our vast online library of over 4 million eBooks, magazines, graphic novels, and comics; plus, enjoy recommendations just for you curated by our expert booksellers. Customize your experience with multiple font and page styles and robust organization and social sharing tools. Put down your reading and pick up where you left off—even as you jump from one device to another. The NOOK Reading App syncs across all your devices.

NOOK: Read eBooks & Magazines (Free, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for Blogging & Productivity

Are you a writer, photographer, editor, or another profession that requires important productivity apps? Having the right apps that can make a meaningful difference in your workflow is so important. 2020 showed us that we need to be able to continue to work while we are away from the office. These apps should have a place in your mobile productivity solution.

WordPress

WordPress for Android puts the power of web publishing in your pocket. It’s a website creator and so much more! Give your big ideas a home on the web. WordPress for Android is a website builder and a blog maker. Use it to create your website. WordPress is more than a blog maker — use it to connect with a community of writers in the WordPress Reader. Explore thousands of topics by tag, discover new authors and organizations, and follow the ones who pique your interest.

WordPress (Free, Google Play) →

Photoshop

Tap into your creativity on the go with Photoshop Express–a fun, fast, and easy picture editor for one-touch transformations and photo edits–used by millions of creative individuals. Make pro-looking images with an easy-to-use digital studio on your mobile device. If you’re in the Adobe ecosystem, photoshop will sync with your Adobe cloud so your edit can be accessed across all of your devices. Photoshop is the best way to make advanced edits to your photos on Android.

Adobe Photoshop Express:Photo Editor Collage Maker (Free, Google Play) →

Best Android Apps for Nutrition, Cooking, and Food

Losing weight and eating healthy can be fun when you’re using the right app. We all have our favorite fitness app, but sometimes we skip on nutrition, cooking, and food. Use these apps to track the number of calories that are in your meals, and find better ways to eat healthier.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts is a great resource for quickly finding nutrition info on just about any food that there is. There are more than 8,700 products collected in their catalog that they divided into categories. The application has a convenient and quick search. Select the desired product and receive its details: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and, of course, calories. For anyone looking to lose weight or start eating healthy, this app is a must-have.

Nutrition facts (Free, Google Play) →

Nutritionix Track

Nutritionix Track is a fitness tracking app developed and maintained by a team of registered dietitians. Making fitness tracking a daily habit is an effective way to work towards your health goals, so the mission of the Track app is to take the heavy-lifting out of keeping up with your food log. Upgrade to Track Pro to access the Coach Portal and share your Track food log with your dietitian, trainer, or other ‘coach’.

Track - Calorie Counter (Free+, Google Play) →

These are the best Android apps in 2020. New apps can rise to the top overnight, as other apps fade out of existence. Finding the best app for each category may take some time, so use the list to quickly find a good solution.

The post Best Android Apps in 2020 appeared first on xda-developers.



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Roku unveils a new Roku Ultra media streamer, 2-in-1 Roku Streambar, Roku OS 9.4, and Roku Channel mobile app

Roku on Monday made a handful of exciting announcements, introducing a new Ultra media streamer, 2-in-1 soundbar, and improvements on the software side, including new ways to access content.

Roku Ultra

Roku Ultra 2020

With so many subscription services out there, you’re going to need a device to stream them with. Enter the newest Roku Ultra, which features Bluetooth support, Dolby Vision, and improved Wi-Fi performance — up to 50% more range. There’s still an Ethernet port if you prefer a hardwired connection.

The latest Roku Ultra continues to offer Dolby Atmos support, and Roku has also introduced support for decoding the AV1 codec, which more and more video streaming services are beginning to encode their video content in. In other words, the Ultra is futureproofed and offers a well-rounded experience that’s great for in-home theaters.

The new Ultra comes equipped with a quad-core processor, support for Alexa and Google Assistant, and ships with a remote that include personal shortcut buttons and a headphone jack for private listening. There’s also a remote finder function for the times you misplace the remote.

The new Roku Ultra is available for preorder right now at $99, with an expected shipment date of October 15, 2020.

Roku Streambar

Roku Streambar

What if you want a streaming device and soundbar in one convenient device? Say hello to the Roku Streambar, a 14-inch Soundbar that also supports outputting 4K HDR video. The new Streambar arrives a year after Roku introduced a Smart Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer.

The Roku Soundbar features access to all the channels and services you’d come to expect from other Roku devices and combines that experience with a robust sound experience powered by four speaker drivers. You can also combine the Soundbar with Roku’s Wireless Subwoofer and Wireless Speakers.

One of the Roku Streambar’s headlining features is the ability to quiet obnoxiously loud commercials, which is almost worth the price of admission alone, in my opinion. You can also boost the volume of voices and optimize the sound for night listening.

The Roku Streambar connects to your TV via HDMI ARC or optical audio and features a Bluetooth receiver along with support for Spotify Connect. The device also comes with a USB port, allowing users to connect a portable hard drive and play content locally.

The Roku Streambar is available to preorder today for $129.99 and ships in mid-October.

Roku OS 9.4

Roku OS 9.4

To go along with Roku’s new hardware, the company also announced Roku OS 9.4, which will start rolling out to devices in the coming weeks. According to Roku, the latest software update will provide users with new ways to access content quickly and feature a range of performance enhancements.

With the update, Roku users will be able to access the Live TV Channel Guide directly from their home screen. “Users can select what “Live TV” input tile on the Roku home screen and access more than 115 free live streaming channels from The Roku Channel,” Roku said. “Users can also choose between two program guide views, including recently watched channels.

If you use a Roku TV with an antenna, the update will provide users with one-click access to a combined program guide that features the free live streaming channels and over-the-air broadcast channels.

The update will also include support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit later this year. Additionally, Roku OS 9.4 will provide users with helpful hints for voice commands and the ability to adjust surround level control for multi-channel audio.

Finally, Roku is releasing a Roku Channel mobile app for iOS and Android that will offer free and premium content. In terms of free content, the Roku Channel will expand its free live/linear channel lineup in the U.S., and if you prefer your Roku home screen to have a little style, there are updated Theme Packs that will make it easy to customize.

The Roku Channel (Free, Google Play) →

Roku OS 9.4 is set to roll out to Roku players, with a wider rollout to other support streaming players, including the new Roku Ultra and Roku Streambar, in the coming weeks.

The post Roku unveils a new Roku Ultra media streamer, 2-in-1 Roku Streambar, Roku OS 9.4, and Roku Channel mobile app appeared first on xda-developers.



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Developer boots Android 11 on 22 older devices with a Project Treble GSI

The ability to boot a generic, AOSP-based system image on a compatible Android device is undoubtedly one of the best outcomes of Project Treble. Since the release of Android 8.0 Oreo, manufacturers seeking Google certification are required to test their devices for Treble compliance by booting this Generic System Image (GSI) and verify basic hardware functionality. Treble requires that devices launching with Android Oreo and above separate the vendor implementation such as the HALs, the software that the OS uses to communicate with the underlying hardware, from the Android OS framework, which is why it is theoretically possible to boot the latest version of Android on a legacy device without modifying the boot or vendor image.

The reality, however, is not that simple. Google further refined Project Treble’s requirements with Android 8.1 Oreo and Android 9 Pie by fully implementing the VNDK (Vendor Native Development Kit) and introducing CTS-on-GSI (Compatibility Test Suite on Generic System Image) tests. Nowadays, Android 8.x devices aren’t even officially considered to be Project Treble compatible, as Google is focusing only on compatibility with Android Pie and above. When we are talking about devices like the Huawei Mate 9 or the OnePlus 5/5T, which originally launched with Android Nougat and subsequently received Treble support via system software updates, you can’t simply flash Google’s version of Android 11 GSIs on them and expect it to boot with everything working.

At this stage, finding a device-specific Android 11 custom ROM from our forums may sound like a better proposition, but XDA Recognized Developer phhusson is trying to tackle the situation from a different angle. Instead of modifying original vendor images, the developer has successfully tweaked Google’s Android 11 GSIs by incorporating device-specific fixes. The resultant GSI built should boot on any Android device that supports Project Treble, which means most devices that launched with Android 8.0+.

Android 11 Custom GSI

Unofficial Android 11 GSI running on 22 different Android devices. Thanks to phhusson for the photo!

Below you can find the devices on which phhusson has successfully booted his custom Android 11 GSI:

If you’re the type of person who prefers to live on the bleeding edge, then you’ll be happy to know that the first pre-release version of “Phh-Treble”, phhusson’s self-compiled custom GSI based on Android 11, is now up for grabs. Before flashing, you should determine your device variant using the Treble Info app linked below. Afterward, grab the appropriate build from the project’s GitHub release page and learn how to flash a GSI here.

Download Phh-Treble v300.a (Based on AOSP 11.0)

Since this is the first alpha build, a number of hardware features and software components are broken in this GSI. If you stumble across any issues, you can report them here. Nonetheless, it’s great to see how modularizing the Android operating system makes it easier for manufacturers to push updates to the software, which in turn helps third-party developers extend the effective lifetime of older devices. If more OEMs start to follow in Samsung’s footsteps regarding OS updates and continue updating the underlying vendor interface, the whole Android ecosystem should see good returns in the near future.

Treble Info (Free+, Google Play) →

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WireGuard announces a big Android update with Android TV support, more modern code, and API for third-party apps

If you value privacy, you’ve surely heard about WireGuard by XDA Recognized Developer zx2c4. To summarize it in a few words, the WireGuard project is a VPN protocol that runs inside the Linux kernel, aiming to be faster and simpler than many other alternatives. Earlier this year, the VPN protocol even made its way to the official Linux kernel. WireGuard now has a slew of announcements, with support for Android TV through their app, pre-built kernel modules for popular phones, a Kotlin rewrite of the UI, and much more.

First up, in anticipation of upcoming Google TV announcements, WireGuard has ported their Android app to run natively on TVs with an easy to use interface. This will let users run apps like Netflix and others through a VPN from within the TV.

You can get the app from the Google Play Store or from F-Droid.

WireGuard (Free, Google Play) →

The WireGuard app on Android smartphones features an ordinary VpnService-based backend for stock unrooted users and a kernel-based backend for rooted users. Now, prebuilt kernel modules are being made available for popular devices like the Google Pixel series, thanks to efforts by XDA Recognized Developer nathanchance. This way, users who are on stock but are rooted can also make use of these kernel modules, instead of needing to be on a custom ROM with WireGuard support. The kernel modules are available from within the app. Interested developers can add more supported ROMs via GitHub.

Another one of our favorite apps, Tasker, also gained WireGuard support earlier this year.

XDA Recognized Developer zx2c4 also informs us that WireGuard’s codebase has been seeing improvements too, with considerable renovations undertaken. The project is now split into two modules: a UI module for the user interface, and a tunnel module, which is a standalone API that allows any app to embed into WireGuard. The tunnel module can be imported from JCenter and comes along with extensive documentation. This split has a few benefits. For one, developers can now add WireGuard directly into their apps with a simple line like implementation ‘com.wireguard.android:tunnel:$wireguardTunnelVersion‘. The tunnel module is written in Java and embeds easily into both Java and Kotlin apps. The UI module has also been entirely rewritten in Kotlin while making use of tools like Jetpack and Kotlin Coroutines. Actions are entirely asynchronous on the app.

WireGuard Kernel/ROM Integration — XDA Thread

One of the reasons for these codebase improvements is to attract new developers. The WireGuard project is actively searching for a new maintainer for its Android app. If you’d like to help out with this open source project, reach out to the WireGuard development team, whose contact information is located at the bottom of their webpage.

The post WireGuard announces a big Android update with Android TV support, more modern code, and API for third-party apps appeared first on xda-developers.



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Google clarifies In-App Billing requirements, says using third-party app stores will be easier in Android 12

Last week, we learned that Google was preparing to update its Play Store guidelines with new language that clarifies the requirements around the use of the Google Play In-app Billing service for in-app purchases. The report suggested that Google wanted to crack down on apps that offered in-app payments without using Google’s payment service, which is how Google gets 30% of revenue from Play Store purchases. Today, Google made these changes official.

Clarity on use of Google Play In-App Billing

Before today, Google required all apps distributed on the Play Store that sell digital goods consumed entirely within the app (such as skins in a mobile game) to use Google Play’s billing system. This has been a long-standing policy of Google Play, but the company says that they have “heard feedback that [their] policy language could be more clear regarding which types of transactions require the use of Google Play’s billing system.” As such, the company has updated the language on its Payments Policy page to be more explicit about the requirement for all digital goods to be sold through Google Play’s billing system. (For what it’s worth, I did a diff between the old payments policy page and the updated page using the Wayback Machine, and it definitely looks like only the language and not the actual policies were updated.)

Google says that “less than 3% of developers with apps on Play sold digital goods over the last 12 months” and that “of this 3%, the vast majority (nearly 97%) already use Google Play’s billing.” It’s important to put these numbers into context, though. There are nearly 3,000,000 apps on the Play Store; the vast majority of these apps are free and thus have no need for Google Play’s billing system. Regardless, for those existing apps that will be affected by this change, Google is giving until September 30, 2021, to implement their billing system. Any new apps submitted to the Play Store after January 20, 2021, however, will need to be in compliance with the updated guidelines. Lastly, for those apps that transitioned from offering physical goods to digital goods (because of the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic), Google says “these businesses will not need to comply with [their] payments policy” for the next 12 months.

Other aspects of Google’s Play Store guidelines have not changed. For example, developers are still not allowed to inform customers about better pricing, offers, and alternative ways to pay within the app itself. However, they are allowed to communicate with customers directly through other channels, such as via email. In addition, Google says their policies “apply equally to all apps distributed on Google Play”, including their own, and that their algorithms “rank third-party apps and games using the same criteria as for ranking Google’s own apps.” Google, of course, isn’t transparent about their proprietary search and ranking algorithms, so these statements were likely made in response to heightened scrutiny from the press and regulators.

Using Third-Party Apps is Easier on Android 12

When Epic Games filed its lawsuit against Google (and Apple), the company challenged what they believed to be scare tactics employed by Google to reduce the willingness of people to use third-party app stores. For example, Epic complained that the permissions that users have to grant contained dissuasive language, and that the inability to then silently install and update apps placed third-party app stores at an inherent disadvantage. Lastly, Epic also alleged that Google went out of its way to block the Epic Games Store from being preloaded on phones from OnePlus and LG.

In today’s blog post, Google reiterates that consumers have always had the choice of getting apps from multiple app stores, but that each app store “is able to decide its own business model and consumer features.” As an example, Google directly cites how Fortnite is still available for Android users that download the Epic Games Store or have access to Samsung’s Galaxy App store. However, the company will be “making changes in Android 12…to make it even easier for people to use other app stores on their devices while being careful not to compromise the safety measures Android has in place.” Google hasn’t shared exactly what changes they’re making to Android, but we’re guessing it’ll involve a new set of permissions and APIs.

FAQ about Google Play billing

In addition to the main blog post detailing the updated policy language, Google also published a FAQ about the use of Google Play’s billing. Here are the questions and answers that Google prepared:

Google Play Billing FAQ

  • Q: Can I distribute my app via other Android app stores or through my website?
    • A: Yes, you can distribute your app however you like! As an open ecosystem, most Android devices come preinstalled with more than one store – and users can install others. Android provides developers the freedom and flexibility to distribute apps through other Android app stores, directly via websites, or device preloads, all without using Google Play’s billing system.
  • Q: What apps need to use Google Play’s billing system?
    • A: All apps distributed on Google Play that are offering in-app purchases of digital goods need to use Google Play’s billing system. Our payments policy has always required this. Less than 3% of developers with apps on Play sold digital goods over the last 12 months, and of this 3%, the vast majority (nearly 97%) already use Google Play’s billing. For those few developers that need to update their apps, they will have until September 30, 2021 to make those changes. New apps submitted after January 20, 2021 will need to be in compliance.
  • Q: Many businesses have needed to move their previously physical services online (e.g. digital live events). Will these apps need to use Google Play’s billing?
    • A: We recognize that the global pandemic has resulted in many businesses having to navigate the challenges of moving their physical business to digital and engaging audiences customers in a new way, for example, moving in-person experiences and classes online. For the next 12 months, these businesses will not need to comply with our payments policy, and we will continue to reassess the situation over the next year. For developers undergoing these changes, we’re eager to hear from you and work with you to help you reach new users and grow your online businesses, while enabling a consistent and safe user experience online.
  • Q: Do Google’s apps have to follow this policy too?
    • A: Yes. Google Play’s developer policies – including the requirement that apps use Google Play’s billing system for in-app purchases of digital goods – apply to all apps on Play, including Google’s own apps.
  • Q: Can I communicate with my users about alternate ways to pay?
    • A: Yes. Outside of your app you are free to communicate with them about alternative purchase options. You can use email marketing and other channels outside of the app to provide subscription offers and even special pricing.
  • Q: Can I communicate with my users about promotions on other platforms?
    • A: Of course. We’re an app developer too, and we know how important it is not to restrict your ability to communicate with your users. You can email them or otherwise communicate outside of the app information about your offerings, even if they are different on Google Play than in other places.
  • Q: Can I have different app features, prices and experience depending on the platform?
    • A: Yes. It is your service and business, it is up to you. We do not require parity across platforms. You can create different versions of your app to support different platforms, features and pricing models.
  • Q: Can I offer a consumption-only (reader) app on Play?
    • A: Yes. Google Play allows any app to be consumption-only, even if it is part of a paid service. For example, a user could login when the app opens and the user could access content paid for somewhere else.
  • Q: Does your billing policy change depending on what category my app is in?
    • A: No. Business or consumer apps, and verticals like music or email are all treated the same on Google Play.
  • Q: Can I offer my customers refunds directly?
    • A: Yes. We understand the importance of maintaining the relationship with your customers. You can continue to issue refunds to your customers and other customer support directly.
  • Q: Will Google Play allow cloud gaming apps?
    • A: Yes. Cloud game streaming apps that comply with Play’s policies from any developer are welcome on Google Play.

The post Google clarifies In-App Billing requirements, says using third-party app stores will be easier in Android 12 appeared first on xda-developers.



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Today’s Top Tech Deals: Nintendo Switch at Amazon, OnePlus 8 Price Drop, and More!

It’s Monday! Do you know what you need? A VPN service. VPNs protect your privacy, which is always at risk on today’s internet. Right now you can save big while making sure your data is secure. Frankly, it’s a win-win.

Today’s other top tech deals include Nintendo Switches being in stock at Amazon, a price drop on the OnePlus 8, and more!

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, $250 Off

Best Buy is offering the deepest discount on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra yet, offering $250 off the smart device. This is a flat discount, but you do need to do a 24-month payment plan and activate the Note 20 Ultra today in order to get the full discount. You can save even more by trading in your old phone!

    Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
    If you want one of the best deals on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra yet, you'll want to go to Best Buy. If you activate today and sign up for a 24-month payment plan, you'll pick up this premium flagship for $250 off.

The OnePlus 8 Drops $100

This Friday is full of smartphone deals, and OnePlus wants to get in on the action. They’ve dropped the price of their OnePlus 8 by $100, so you can grab this 5G 256GB model from Amazon for just $700. This phone has a 90 Hz refresh rate, a 4,300 mAh battery, and a 48 MP triple camera set-up. You really can’t go wrong with the OnePlus 8! If you want the green phone, you can also hop on over to OnePlus’s store and pick it up there for the same price.

    OnePlus 8 Interstellar Glow, 5G Unlocked
    So many smartphones deals, so many choices, but you know you can't go wrong with the OnePlus 8. The phone maker has dropped the price of all models by $100, so you can pick up the 256 GB model from Amazon for a cool $700. That makes it available for Prime Shipping and an 18-month payment plan with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa!

Samsung Galaxy A51 for $225

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra still too much for you? I’m in the same boat. Samsung currently has their Galaxy A51 smartphone for $225, down from the MSRP of $400. If you’re not trying to be on the bleeding edge of technology but just need a cheap upgrade to hold you over, this budget phone offering will set you up well. At the Samsung store, you can choose an unlocked model, or one that works with the big-name carriers.

    Samsung Galaxy A51
    Grab yourself a budget phone that doesn't feel budget at all with the Samsung Galaxy A51. At the Samsung Store, you can pick up an unlocked or carrier-based version for just $225. It may not have 5G, but if you weren't looking to upgrade your carrier service, then you'll have no issues.

The Nintendo Switch is Actually Staying in Stock

I’m shocked–has Nintendo finally fixed their production line issues? Usually, the Nintendo Switches sell out way before I can include them in a round-up. That said, this is no time to sleep on picking one up now, as you never know when they’ll run out again! The newer model Switches come with improved Joy-Cons and better battery life than the launch model, so who knows, maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

    Nintendo Switch
    The Nintendo Switch is in stock at Amazon! While these stayed in stock all weekend, who knows how much longer it'll last. Grab one before it's too late!

Wireless USB WiFi Adapter, Only $15

One of the worst things about desktops is that they usually can’t connect to WiFi. That doesn’t seem like a big problem… until you realize that you need to thread an ethernet cable through your whole house or apartment. Solve the wiring woes with this wireless WiFi adapter, which you can grab for $15 by using the code 42XS7H23 at checkout. It even works with Windows XP, which is… certainly something!

    Wireless USB WiFi Adapter
    Why deals with long ethernet wires tripping you up everywhere? For $15 with code 42XS7H23at checkout, you can get a WiFi adapter for your desktop and ditch the cords.

More Tech Deals

Looking for even more tech deals? We have them for you below!

The post Today’s Top Tech Deals: Nintendo Switch at Amazon, OnePlus 8 Price Drop, and More! appeared first on xda-developers.



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Best Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Thin Cases

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is here, and your shiny new $1300 investment needs protection. You don’t necessarily need the best protection, but just something to give it a bit of an extra grip in your hands. I don’t really like big, heavy cases, but I also wouldn’t use a phone without one, as I’ve definitely dropped a phone or two in my time. Some of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra thin cases shown below will offer the bare minimum in protection, while still looking good and without adding extra bulk!

    Ringke Air-S Case

    Light as air!

    Why put a thick case on a thin phone like the Galaxy Note 20? Keep those sleek curves and guard against scratches with this minimalist case from Ringke, which protects without being too bulky.
    Otterbox Symmetry Case

    Sleek and fresh

    Otterbox is synonymous with tough. If you are looking for a case that protects with a hint of style, this is for you. This case is also available in black, clear, and light grey.
    Spigen Liquid Armor Case

    Slim-line and mighty fine!

    When it comes to cases, you've probably heard of Spigen. The company has a lot of popular products, but the Liquid Air brings added grip and a beautiful symmetry and uniformity that really appeals to us.
    ESR Metal Kickstand Case

    Prop your phone up anywhere!

    Being able to prop up your phone while you're out and about is one of the big selling points for this case. Others include raised screen and camera bezels to protect against scratches, and additional grip.
    Caseology Skyfall case

    Slim yet protective

    Instead of a thick case, show off your phone's natural beauty while keeping it protected with this beautiful Caseology Skyfall case, which is available in 3 colors. I've used one before and it's a fantastic case!
    Ancerr Ultra Thin Slim cover

    Slim yet protective

    If all you want is a super-slim case, look no further. This won't provide you a lot of protection against drops, but your phone will still remain sleek. It's also available in gorgeous Red and Blue colors.
    Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case

    See-through goodness

    Another Spigen entry, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid offers good protection without compromising on the aesthetics of your device. Show off in style with this see-through protective case - without any of the bulk!
    Samsung Silicone Cover

    Minimalistic and Grippy!

    Want a case with some grip that matches the color of your phone perfectly? Look no further than Samsung's official silicone cover, which comes in Black, White and 'Brown', which is actually Pink in color.
    DBrand Ultra Grip Case

    Slim and Customizable

    DBrand is a trusted brand of cases and skins, and they have something most of the competitors don't--the ability to customize your case. DBrand offers a bunch of different colors for your case back, while still keeping your device slim.
    TORRAS Freedom Designed

    Have Torras Prop You Up

    This Torras case can prop up your phone while providing a simple plastic shell to keep your Note 20 Ultra safe. It also has a three year warranty, so if anything goes wrong you can replace the case for free.
    Crave Dual Guard Protection Series

    Crave Some Color

    The Crave cases have a unique advantage of being very colorful, and sometimes you just want something different looking. The Dual Guard Protection series has six colors available, is nice and slim, and even PowerShare compatible.
    Spigen Slim Armor CS

    Stash a Couple Cards

    Wallet cases are so bulky, but you can still grab a thin case that can fit a couple cards in it from Spigen. If you like travelling light, this case will help you do it.

Out of the cases above, there should be something for everyone. Want to still see your new shiny device’s design? Definitely grab the Spigen Ultra Hybrid. Want something a little bit unique that you can use to prop your phone up? Grab that ESR Metal Kickstand case. If you just want to go with what Samsung has on offer, there’s nothing wrong with going with the Samsung Silicone Cover either.

There are so many options, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a pretty big and heavy phone. Nobody wants a case adding even more bulk to what is already a really bulky phone!

The post Best Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Thin Cases appeared first on xda-developers.



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