Google Finally Agrees to Let Rival App Stores Camp Inside Its House
KEY POINTS
- â˘Epic Games and Google jointly withdrew their attempt to retroactively settle the Android app store lawsuit in early July.
- â˘Judge James Donato ruled back in October 2024 that Google must carry rival app stores within Google Play for several years.
- â˘Google announced it plans to start hosting third-party stores, including possibly an Xbox store, beginning July 22nd.
In a tech drama with more plot twists than a daytime soap, Epic Games and Google have spectacularly ditched their plan to retroactively settle the lawsuit reshaping Android app stores in the U.S. Thanks to Judge James Donato's October 2024 ruling, Google is getting forced to play landlord to a gaggle of third-party app stores, starting July 22nd. Imagine Google Play now as the digital equivalent of a shopping mall letting in every bizarre kiosk trying to hawk their wares, including possibly an Xbox game storeâbecause why wouldnât Microsoft want in on this circus? Sundar Pichai and Tim Sweeneyâs logos now cozy up like uneasy roommates in a very crowded Google Play apartment.
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(1 of 3)Google giving up and inviting all rival app stores into its Play Store is like your overly polite landlord saying âSure, smash your saxophone in the living room. No problem.â
Google letting rival app stores inside its Play Store? Next, theyâll open a food court where every stall sells leftover monopoly pieces.
Epic vs Google lawsuit basically ended with 'fine, you can have your weird neighbors over for a while.' Windows on Android, anyone?
Source: Theverge | Published: 7/15/2026 | Author: Sean Hollister
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