Access to third-party app stores will be easier in Android... 12

Google has promised to make it easier to use alternative stores for Android apps. — Google/AFP Relaxnews

Sameer Samat, vice-president for Android, has announced in a blog post that Android 12 will facilitate the installation of applications from app stores other than Google Play. Google's plan is to allow developers to distribute their applications via the stores of their choice, and to give smartphone owners trouble-free access to these platforms. Let's not forget, however, that Android 12 is not due to drop until the fall of 2021.

Google believes that developers should be able to choose how they distribute their applications without necessarily having to go through Google Play. All the more so because Google plans to generalise its 30% commission on all applications available via its online store (as well as on purchases within these applications). It follows that publishers who do not wish to accept these conditions must be offered an alternative and, above all, Internet users should not suffer as a result. Huawei's AppGallery, Samsung's Galaxy Store and Amazon's App Store immediately come to mind as three of Google Play's main competitors.