Khaberni - The Android smartphone operating system has always been a model for the freedom to install applications, whether through the huge Google Play library or by allowing downloads from outside the store, a feature that has clearly granted its users flexibility superior to what the App Store offers on iPhones.
However, this equation seems to be on the verge of a radical transformation, with a series of accelerated changes that could reshape the app ecosystem on Android in the coming years.
In recent days, Google has unveiled a wide-ranging package of modifications targeting its official store, alongside new directions among phone manufacturers to empower users to create their own apps through simple text commands supported by artificial intelligence.
Restructuring the system
The changes announced by Google are not limited to settling its legal dispute with Epic Games but extend to a complete redefinition of how the app market operates, from store fees, to payment systems, reaching to the rules of app installation and alternative stores.
For users, these transformations could mean a gradual change in the way they discover, download, and pay for app services, which could directly reflect on the smartphone user experience.
At the heart of these changes comes the decision to reduce the fees that Google Play imposes on in-app purchases, from levels up to 30% to about 20% or less in several main markets.
This step is scheduled to be implemented gradually starting from June 30 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Economic Area, and will later extend to Australia, then to South Korea and Japan, and finally, to the rest of the global markets by 2027.
Although the decision primarily targets developers, its impacts could directly reach users, as it could allow companies to lower subscription prices or reintroduce services that had been withdrawn due to high commission costs.
Google also plans to separate service fees from payment system fees, opening the door to the use of alternative payment systems within apps, which means a more diverse experience for users instead of relying solely on the company's payment system.
Alternative stores with new conditions
But the most significant change may be the launch of the Registered App Stores program, which allows external app stores to officially register with Google and be installed on Android devices more easily.
Previously, installing external app stores required complex procedures and repeated security warnings known as "Sideloading". Now, however, the process is expected to become smoother, especially for stores approved within the program.
According to settlement documents, Google will not charge ongoing fees on transactions within these stores, only an initial registration fee, with just a security check to ensure the apps are free from malicious software without interfering in content review.
However, the company has set basic conditions, including opening platforms to developers, respecting intellectual property rights, providing parental control tools, and adhering to the system's technical standards.
This step could pave the way for a more diverse ecosystem of app stores, such as stores specialized in games or platforms launched by major tech companies, giving users greater freedom in choosing their app sources.
Tightening control on external installation
Parallel to this openness, Google is moving towards imposing stricter security controls on apps installed outside its official store.
These policies include documenting the identity of developers and linking apps to verified accounts, so that the installation of apps not meeting these conditions may be prevented on some devices and markets.
These measures are scheduled to start being applied in September 2026 in several countries, before gradually being generalized, which could limit one of Android's historical advantages, the freedom of installation from outside the store, compared to iOS, which imposes strict restrictions in this aspect.
Vibe Coding Apps
While Google is restructuring the app store economy and distribution mechanisms, other initiatives are aiming to redefine the concept of the app itself.
For instance, Nothing Company has unveiled the Essential Apps project within the Nothing OS, which allows the creation of customized mini-apps through artificial intelligence based on simple text commands.
For example, a user could request a tool that gathers receipts from the photo gallery and converts them into a weekly PDF file or an app that displays a quick summary of upcoming meetings based on the calendar and messages.
These tools are being developed within the Playground platform, which allows users to create their own apps or modify and share others' apps, in a model closer to a collaborative environment for app development.
Thus, Nothing is trying to offer a different model for the app experience, where users not only rely on downloading apps from a central store but can also create their own tools according to their daily needs.
In the same context, Samsung is considering introducing the Vibe Coding concept to Galaxy phones, which relies on using artificial intelligence to write or modify apps based on the user's description, opening the field for non-specialists to easily develop their own tools.
According to statements by company officials, this type of technology could open the door to a deeper customization of the phone experience, not only through creating new apps but also by modifying the user interface or the functions of the apps to match each user's needs.
Although Samsung has not announced a clear timetable for offering this feature, their interest in the idea reflects the general trend in the smartphone industry towards integrating artificial intelligence tools into the software development process itself.
In light of these developments, Android appears to be entering a deep transitional phase, transitioning from a model based on a central store and ready-made apps to a more open and flexible system, allowing the user to choose their app sources, and even create their own tools.
