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

Google'due south making a large change to Android 12 that makes Apple expect bad

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Google is going to make it easier for Android users to install culling app stores on their devices. The update, which will roll out with Android 12, will allow tertiary-party stores to install and update apps without requiring user permission.

According to XDA Developers, information technology's an endeavour to make Android a bit friendlier for people who desire to switch away from the Play Store, or who merely take an alternative app store for certain specific uses.

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It would be silly non to ignore the context of what'southward happening currently with the Apple vs Ballsy Games lawsuit. Apple has been criticized by Epic for not allowing it to continue all of the money from in-app purchases. Lawyers have as well discussed in court the refusal by Apple to allow 3rd-party stores. Epic also has beef with Google over similar problems, and so it would exist natural to assume that perchance this will deflect some of that criticism.

If Google is moving to take these tertiary-party stores it does, possibly, put extra force per unit area on Apple. Could this exist something the approximate demands, depending on the verdict in the trial? It's hard to tell, merely whatever decision is made will have far-ranging implications for all hardware companies, including Sony and Microsoft, which both lock their consoles down to only use their own app stores.

Third-party app stores have always been more than of an option on Android phones. You may have installed Amazon's or those from a multitude of other sources. Depending on who makes them, the risks range from relatively minor correct up to your phone being used to mine cryptocurrency while you're not 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 as well require these stores to be checked over by its internal teams, besides, with the aim of reducing risks to users.

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