IPhone or Android—which Is Better? The Debate Over AnTuTu
Darwin, 19 January: AnTuTu Benchmark is one of the most widely used tools in the tech world for comparing the performance of iPhones and Android…
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to block parts of a landmark order requiring Google to reform its Play Store, in what is seen as a significant victory for app developers and consumers. The order comes from a long-running antitrust battle with Fortnite creator Epic Games, which has accused Google of monopolizing access to apps and in-app payments on Android devices.
What the Ruling Means
The Supreme Court’s decision means Google must begin implementing some key reforms while its appeal continues. These changes include:
-
Allowing developers to insert external payment links in their apps so users can bypass Google’s billing system. This provision is due to take effect later this month.
-
By July 2026, Google must also allow rival app stores to be downloaded within Play and make Play’s app catalog accessible to competitors.
These changes mark a major shift in how Android users may access apps and make payments in the future.
Epic’s Win, Google’s Concerns
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hailed the decision, saying that developers will soon be “legally entitled” to guide users to out-of-app payment methods without paying Google’s fees. Epic argues the reforms will boost competition, choice, and lower prices for consumers.
Google, however, has strongly opposed the order. The company argues that the injunction could damage its reputation, introduce security risks, and disrupt both users and developers. In its filing to the Court, Google said the reforms would affect more than 100 million Android users and 500,000 developers in the U.S.
A Landmark Antitrust Case
Epic filed its lawsuit in 2020, claiming Google’s rules violated antitrust law. A jury in San Francisco sided with Epic in 2023, and a federal appeals court upheld the ruling in July 2024. Judge James Donato’s sweeping injunction now stands, despite Google’s attempt to pause it.
Google has vowed to continue its appeal and could return to the Supreme Court with a full petition later this year. But for now, the decision is being celebrated as a win for digital competition — and a potential turning point in how app stores operate worldwide.
Source: Reuters
Related News
From Online to Board: Inside the Australian Clinic Treating Gaming Disorder, a WHO-Recognised Addiction
At Australia’s only publicly-run gaming disorder clinic in Perth, patients like 15-year-old Sadmir Perviz are replacing 10 hours of online gaming with board games. The clinic treats patients suffering from Gaming Disorder, a condition formally recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) that psychiatrist Dr. Daniela Vecchio likens to substance abuse. The clinic has treated over 300 patients with a range of comorbidities.
US Investor Vows to Scrap TikTok Algorithm in Acquisition Bid Amid China Tensions
US investor Frank McCourt confirmed he is ready to purchase TikTok’s US operations and replace its entire Chinese technology stack, including the controversial recommendation algorithm, with his own “Project Liberty” infrastructure. The move aims to resolve the national security concerns that led to the 2024 law requiring a sale, which President Trump is expected to delay for a fifth time this week.
New ‘Wonder Material’ Cuts Lung Scan Time by 66% at London Hospital
A new £1m scanner at Royal Brompton Hospital using Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT), made by British firm Kromek, has cut lengthy lung scans from 45 to 15 minutes. The “amazing feat of engineering” allows for highly detailed 3D images while reducing the radioactive dose by 30%, ushering in a “revolution” in medical imaging.
Nvidia’s Record Earnings Fail to Quell AI Bubble Fears as Stock Dips Post-Report
Nvidia’s CEO claimed “sales are off the charts” after profits soared >60%, but the stock fell 1% post-report. Market concern persists over Big Tech’s massive AI infrastructure spending and the risk of a bubble burst
A$50M Fine Threat: Meta Deactivating 500,000 Teen Accounts for Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban
Meta has started notifying an estimated 500,000 Australian teens (aged 13-15) that their Facebook and Instagram accounts will be shut down from December 4, ahead of the world-leading December 10 ban. Companies face up to a A$50 million fine for failing to take “reasonable steps” to block under-16s.
Cloudflare Crash Knocks X, ChatGPT Offline
A configuration file crash at internet infrastructure giant Cloudflare led to a “significant outage,” taking X, ChatGPT, and other major sites offline. Cloudflare apologized; experts warn of high network fragility
Pichai Warns ‘No Company Is Immune’ if AI Investment Bubble Bursts
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told the BBC that while the AI boom is profound, it contains ‘irrationality’ and warned that “no company is immune” if the investment bubble bursts, likening it to the dot-com era.
