Welcome to the 525th edition of Android Apps Weekly, where we discuss the latest in mobile news and take a closer look at some of the most interesting new apps and games. Let’s jump right in and take a look at some of the biggest highlights from the last week:
Looking for some new Android apps and Android games to keep you occupied? This week saw two new apps worth highlighting, as well as three great games.
- As promised, this week Google rolled out new changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act going into effect in the EU. There are now new screens that pop up when setting up Android, allowing you to pick a browser and search engine of your choice. Similar changes will also make their way to Chrome for desktop and iOS, making it easier to switch browsers.
- Google isn’t the only company pushing changes to comply with the EU’s new DMA regulations, as Meta will soon enable interoperability to WhatsApp and Messenger, allowing you to use them with third-party messaging apps in Europe.
- Speaking of WhatsApp, Instagram will now be adding some new features directly from it including the ability to edit sent messages, read receipts, and the ability to pin up to three chats to the top of the messaging inbox.
- Google One Premium is getting even better with the addition of Fitbit Premium and Nest Aware features, at least if you’re in the UK. There’s no word if or when these features will make their way to other countries where Google One Premium is offered.
- The latest Pixel Drop arrived earlier this week and with it came the removal of the Battery Information stub. This means you can no longer access battery stats including date of manufacture and cycle count. This feature was first introduced in 2014 and was considered a nice addition, so why the sudden removal? Google has yet to say, though it’s possible it could just be a bug that will be addressed in the future.
- Google is testing a new Maps feature that tells you where entrances to buildings are located. It appears this is currently being tested with select users only. Building entrances are marked with a white circle, an entry icon, or a simple green arrow.
- The arrival of Windows 11 promised many big changes, including Android support. This feature came much later than anticipated and was always somewhat of a beta experience. For those who never used it, Windows 11 had the ability to download Android apps and games through the Amazon AppStore, using a compatibility layer within Windows to make them work seamlessly. It seems Microsoft is finally giving up the effort, as it has announced it is ending support and will completely shut down access next year on March 5, 2025.
Looking for some new Android apps and Android games to keep you occupied? This week saw two new apps worth highlighting, as well as three great games.
