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Amazon has been working on an in-house replacement for its Android-based Fire OS, codenamed "Vega" and built for easier app development, according to reporting from Janko Roettgers at Lowpass.

To help developers reap these benefits, developers with newly created personal Play Console accounts will soon be required to test their apps with at least 20 people for a minimum of two weeks before applying for access to production. This will allow developers to test their app, identify issues, get feedback, and ensure that everything is ready before they launch. Developers who create new personal developer accounts will start seeing this requirement in Play Console in the coming days.

• Samsung is rumored to bring an affordable Galaxy foldable phone.
• It is likely to target the mid-range segment and could see the light of day in 2024.
• It is still unclear whether it is a clamshell or book-style foldable device.

Google sent a letter to European regulators asking them to free up Apple’s iMessage for all platforms, according to a report from the Financial Times Wednesday. The EU Commission said Apple is gatekeeping iMessage in September, and Google’s letter unnecessarily chimes in to say “we agree.”

• Google's Play Store offers remote app installation and now potentially remote app removal, making it easier to manage apps across connected devices running on Android.
• Using the Play Store on smartphones, tablets, or desktops is usually quicker and more convenient than using it on devices like smart TVs or wearables, which may have limitations.
• Remote app removal would be particularly useful for app management on those devices, and could eventually help remove unwanted apps from all your devices with a single click.

• Firefox 120 will introduce at least 200 new Android extensions running on a "fully open" extension ecosystem for the mobile browser.
• Mozilla encourages developers to migrate to this ecosystem and resolve internet browsing problems with extensions.
• The extension ecosystem aims to address recurring annoyances such as ads and cookie consent forms, enhancing the user experience on Firefox mobile.

• Google is finally addressing the inability to access storage on its devices ranging from the Pixel 6 to the latest Pixel 8 series after installing Android 14.
• Users are faced with the option of factory resetting their device and losing all of their data, and if declined, they encounter a "Pixel is starting" loop.
• Google hasn't given a concrete timeframe for when the system update should roll out. However, it has rolled out a Play Systems update to try and keep a cap on things.

• YouTube is beginning to test two new generative AI features for a small number of users, beginning with its new "Ask" feature.
• Users can either select pre-made prompts or write their own as they ask the AI questions about relevant content or about a video.
• A new "Topics" button will appear for those in the test, grouping like-minded comments together to be easily digestible for quicker reading.

Earlier this week, Samsung announced its Android 14 update and confirmed a list of devices that would be updated. Surprisingly, the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series were included on that list, but they’ve since been removed, confirming they likely won’t get Android 14 after all.

Google today announced two changes to AdSense but doesn’t “expect publishers to see a change in their earnings” and payments. Consistency and “greater transparency” were cited as the reason for these updates.

• Google Chrome 120 will not support Android Nougat, leaving users with Android 7.0 and 7.1 without Chrome support.
• Chrome has been the most-used mobile browser since its release on Android in 2012, even on iOS devices where it competes with Safari.
• While newer operating systems will receive updates in Chrome 120, older systems like Nougat are being left behind, reflecting the ever-changing tech world.