Because Android Auto ships as a regular Play Store app rather than a system component, it normally updates automatically in the background, but that process can stall if a phone lacks Wi-Fi access or auto-update settings are disabled. Users can check their version by searching for Android Auto in the Play Store, where an Uninstall button confirms they already have the latest release, or an Update button lets them install it manually. Devices need Android 9.0 or later, released in 2018, to receive current updates.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
Roblox announced 'Roblox Everywhere,' a plan to let creators release their games as standalone apps on mobile, PC, and consoles while Roblox still handles the engine and backend. The move comes as Roblox's creator earnings hit $1.7 billion, with the top 10 creators averaging $65 million each even as the median creator earned only about $1,500. Roblox also confirmed cross-play will remain on by default, keeping standalone games tied into its main network.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-15
Google is rolling out a Play Services update that lets a phone's IMEI number appear in emergency info accessible from the lock screen, without unlocking the device. The feature targets devices running Android 12 or newer and is meant to help identify a phone's owner if it's lost or found. Users can disable it through Settings under Security & Privacy, Lost Device Protection, and Theft Protection.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-15
Security researchers outline how spyware on Android phones can be spotted through symptoms like sudden battery drain, overheating, unexplained data usage, unfamiliar apps, or apps unexpectedly requesting camera and microphone access. Infections most often occur through phishing links or sideloaded apps outside the Play Store, though rogue apps occasionally slip past Google Play Protect too.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
XChat, the standalone messaging app X launched earlier this year for direct messaging between users, has disappeared from the iOS App Store. The Android version remains available on Google Play, and no reason has been given for the iOS removal.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-14
Code strings discovered in a recent Google Play Services update hint that Google plans to bring its main Google app to macOS, following the earlier arrival of Gemini on Apple's desktop platform. No official release date or feature list has been confirmed by Google.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-14
Beyond the usual OS and security update settings, Android devices include a distinct, less visible menu for updating individual system services like Google Play services. Depending on the manufacturer, these services may need to be updated separately from the main software update screen, and how they appear can vary between brands such as Google Pixel and others.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-14
At its annual Developers Conference, Roblox announced plans to let players jump into games directly from a browser without downloading anything, starting with Chrome by the end of 2026. In mid-2027, the platform will also add offline solo play for spotty-connection areas, with early access arriving sooner, alongside a push to let creators publish standalone apps across mobile, PC and consoles under a 'Play Roblox Everywhere' initiative.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-11
A solo developer running Google Ads for his puzzle app Dayzle discovered that of 56 billed installs over two weeks, only 13 were real users; the rest came from devices sideloading outdated app versions while falsely reporting Google Play as the installer. These fake installs showed zero engagement, spanned dozens of phone models across many states, and appeared to be generated by a bot farm gaming Google's install-based ad optimization.
dayzlegame.com
· 2026-09-11
Microsoft, acting through TracerAI, has withdrawn its DMCA takedown notice that accused the open-source voxel game Luanti of infringing Minecraft's copyright. The Luanti app has been reinstated on Google Play immediately, without needing to wait out the standard counter-notice period, signaling Microsoft has abandoned the case entirely.
blog.luanti.org
· 2026-09-09
Microsoft has begun testing several new Xbox features with Insiders, including the option to select startup animations from Xbox One through Xbox Series X/S consoles, though not the original Xbox or Xbox 360 boots. The update also adds a local search tool for games and achievements, higher-resolution Remote Play, background downloads during cloud streaming, and a Voice Clarity feature to reduce background noise in chat.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-09
GM's 2027 configurator listings show the Cadillac Lyriq still offering CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, despite the company's 2023 announcement that it would drop the phone-mirroring features from future EVs. A Cadillac spokesperson said the brand is evolving its infotainment strategy based on customer feedback while also focusing on its own native interface.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-08
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