Google

Australia's competition regulator said it would look into the use of and sharing of data by apps and the extent of competition between Apple Inc's and Google's app stores. It will also look at whether more pricing transparency is needed in Australia's mobile apps market. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is "interested in how data is used and shared in the app ecosystem, including the data available to Google and Apple as a result of their control of the major app stores," Delia Rickard, the commission's deputy chair, said in a statement. The business practices of U.S tech giants have come under scrutiny globally but Australian regulators have been among the most aggressive in trying to rein in their reach. Australia is set to become the first country to make Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google pay for news sourced from local providers under a royalty-style system. Google and Apple representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The … [Read more...] about Australian watchdog to examine competition between Apple and Google app stores

Game streaming services Google Stadia and Microsoft’s Project xCloud will not be coming to the Apple App Store, as per a statement by an Apple spokesperson to Business Insider. Microsoft is bringing Xbox’s Project xCloud service to Android devices from September 15 but could not to iOS. Apple has stated that since Microsoft hasn’t submitted each game under the upcoming service for Apple’s review process, the app that allows these games is being blocked. So, game streaming services like Stadia and xCloud won’t be available on the iPhone and the iPad. As per the statement: "The App Store was created to be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for all developers. Before they go on our store, all apps are reviewed against the same set of guidelines that are intended to protect customers and provide a fair and level playing field to developers." Microsoft Project xCloud was intended to come to … [Read more...] about Google Stadia and Microsoft Project xCloud apps not coming to Apple App Store: Report

Sponsored The Blurams Video Doorbell system offers incredible levels of intelligence If you're sick of paying monthly fees for a video doorbell, it's time to upgrade to Blurams. It comes with no hidden fees, free cloud storage, AI, night vision, and a sound and light alarm. … [Read more...] about Google Drive goes down in some parts of the U.S.

Extend the battery Keep your OG Pixel chugging along with these battery packs The original Pixel may still be your go-to device, but there's no mistaking the chances that the battery has degraded a bit since its release. In that case, you'll want to make sure you have an external battery pack handy at all times, to make sure the Pixel lasts all day. … [Read more...] about Google’s new software update tries to fix the Pixel 4’s awful battery life

Fire up the Trusted Contacts app and you'll get a short walkthrough of what to expect. And the app is easy enough to use that you probably won't need too much more instruction than that. First you'll select some contacts you want to use as your "Trusted Contacts." Add them, and they'll be sent an email that lets them know you think so much of them you want to put your wellbeing in their hands. (Presumably you've already done this anyway, but whatever.) They have to approve your request before anyone gets notified of anything. … [Read more...] about Google’s Trusted Contacts is a simple way for families to have some peace of mind