Google is offering Android app developers a lowered Google Play commission rate if they agree to add deeper integration for Google platforms like WearOS and Android Auto in their apps.
Google may be working on its own version of Apple's Find My network, with a beta release of Google Play Services for Android suggesting the smartphones could be used to track other devices in a similar way to Apple's major feature.
The new Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos feature in Apple Music will also arrive on Android sometime in the future, Apple has confirmed on its website.
Apple will now allow users to plan FaceTime calls in advance, and the video calling platform will also support non-Apple devices like Android smartphones.
Google is following in Apple's footsteps and making it harder for companies to track users on Android with a small policy change related to device identifiers.
Apple is reportedly working to increase the privacy of AirTags, which includes the planned launch of an Android app that will allow non-iPhone users to detect an unwanted tracking accessory.
Apple has announced that its Apple TV app is now available for Android TV OS, bringing Apple TV+ content to more devices.
The aggressive collection of location data by Google and the difficulty for users to manage their privacy settings was known as problems by Google employees, lawsuit documents read, with employees declaring "Apple is eating our lunch."
Following months of Apple failing to resolve a common iPhone notification bug, a user claiming to be ex-Apple, has fixed the issue by buying a Samsung phone.
Android 12 will provide users with a more personalized appearance as part of its new interface, with the "Material You" concept offering dynamic color selections as well as easier summoning of the Google Assistant.
At Google I/O the company said it will be stepping up its privacy options in its apps and services including an option to delete your last search query, with an ultimate goal of eliminating user passwords.
Android users who subscribe to Apple Music won't get all of the benefits of Apple's new additions, as it will include support for Lossless audio, but not Dolby Atmos at launch.
Google is set to announce new privacy initiatives during Google I/O, but it appears that the Android changes will stop short of Apple's App Tracking Transparency and other programs.
Code within the latest beta version of Apple Music for Android corroborates rumors that lossless streaming might be coming soon to the platform.
Google has announced that it will introduce a new "safety section" with app privacy information on the Google Play store — an echo of Apple's own privacy nutrition labels.
A new study reveals that 60% of apps used by schools share data with third parties, with iOS sharing less than Android, and as a rule, to less "risky" aggregators.
The Android version of the Apple and Google Exposure Notification system reportedly has a flaw that may have leaked sensitive data to a device's preinstalled apps.
Apple software Eddy Cue wanted to bring iMessage to Android as far back as 2013, but was ultimately overruled by other executives.
Prolific leaker Jon Prosser claimed that the Google Pixel 5a was cancelled — and in response, Google is saying that the phone is, in fact, coming later in 2021.
Further details from the Epic Games court filings cite Apple executives saying they could have made an Android version of iMessage, but it would "hurt us more than help us."
{{ summary }}
Malcolm Owen
Mike Peterson
William Gallagher
Will Shanklin
Wesley Hilliard
