Android

Daniel Gultsch, developer of the Android XMPP chat app Conversations, has announced that the app is now available free of charge and that he is moving away from distributing it through Google Play. In a blog post titled 'Breaking Up with Google Play', he explains the reasoning behind making Conversations free and rethinking its store presence.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority has revised its plan for Google, proposing a 12-slot search choice screen for Android and Chrome users that would include AI assistants alongside traditional search engines. The proposal also requires clear attribution of publisher sources. It signals UK regulators moving to extend choice-screen remedies beyond search into the AI era.

Qualcomm has announced its next-generation flagship mobile processors, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The new chips are positioned as the company's top-tier silicon for upcoming premium smartphones, continuing the Snapdragon 8 Elite line that powers leading Android flagships. Detailed specifications and performance figures have not yet been widely reported.

Xiaomi has announced that its Android smartphones can now work with the Apple Watch, a notable cross-brand move since the smartwatch has long been limited to iPhones. The news is drawing attention in the tech press as an unusual instance of Apple and Xiaomi ecosystems overlapping, raising questions about what features will actually be available to users pairing the two devices.

Qualcomm has announced its new flagship phone chips, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and, for the first time alongside it, an 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The company describes both as flagships, with the differences between them said to be relatively minor, mostly limited to improved AI processing, video capture and gaming performance.

Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, has published benchmark data on Android foldable smartphones. The timing draws attention as speculation grows that Apple is preparing a foldable iPhone, informally dubbed the iPhone Duo. The benchmarks compare performance across current folding devices, giving readers a snapshot of the Android foldable market ahead of any Apple entry.

Xteink is reportedly working on an Android-based e-reader, though the device is not yet available in the United States. Details on pricing, specifications, and launch dates remain limited, and it is unclear when or whether the company plans to bring the e-reader to American customers. Readers interested in Android-powered alternatives to Kindle or Kobo are watching for more official information from the company.

A survey reported by Mashable indicates that teenagers favor iPhones over Android devices and Instagram over Snapchat when it comes to their phones and social media habits. The findings reinforce Apple's strong grip on the youth market, where owning an iPhone is often seen as a status symbol, while Instagram remains the dominant platform for teen social sharing.

Daniel Gultsch, developer of the Android XMPP messaging app Conversations, has announced the app is no longer being distributed through Google Play, explaining the decision in a post titled 'Breaking Up with Google Play'. The move has drawn attention on Hacker News and across the fediverse, where users are debating the practicality of leaving major app stores and what it means for open-source, privacy-focused messaging apps.