Apple announced a lineup of seven indie titles coming to iPhone and iPad as part of the App Store's Indie Games Week, including No Man's Sky, Sifu and Vampire Crawlers. Most of the games are already available for purchase, though No Man's Sky won't launch until Oct. 28. Apple says No Man's Sky will run on iPhone 11 or newer and third-generation iPad Air or newer, supporting touchscreen, controller, or keyboard and mouse.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-13
Google is expanding its Ask Play chatbot into a broader AI-powered search tool for the Play Store, letting users ask questions and get app comparisons, with similar functionality coming to Gemini. The company also launched Game Finder, a recommendation engine using a 'Gamer DNA' profile built from usage data across 1.2 billion Android gamers, rolling out in the US now. Separately, Google plans to let users privately host and share apps they build themselves using AI coding tools through the Play Store.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-13
Google announced that users who build apps via prompts in AI Studio can now publish them for use on their own devices through a new 'personal library' in the Play Store, without needing a paid developer account. The feature targets users 18 and older in the US and select markets, and Google says it plans to add secure sharing with friends and family later. To reach a global audience, creators would need to upgrade to a professional developer account and pass standard Play Store safety reviews.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-13
Google announced that any standard Google account holder can now use AI Studio to create personal Android apps via text prompts, with no coding required. These apps install directly to a user's own device through a private Play Store channel rather than the public listing, and can be shared with others outside the formal app store.
zdnet.com
· 2026-10-13
Apple announced a fourth-generation Siri Remote featuring Precision Finding support and a built-in speaker for locating a lost remote. The $59 accessory is compatible with both the new Apple TV 4K and older Apple TV HD and 4K models, and ships November 13 alongside the new $299 Apple TV 4K.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-13
Google announced a redesigned Play Store interface for vehicles with Google built-in, which will adapt to different car screen sizes and orientations and add a streamlined navigation menu. The update, rolling out over coming weeks, lets drivers download featured apps with one tap and introduces new apps like Starz, Firefox, Ludo King, and JioHotstar for use while parked, plus YouTube video playback when parked for Premium subscribers.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-13
Google announced a new US feature letting people install personal apps built with AI Studio's vibe-coding tool directly through the Play Store, skipping the need to sideload via a connected computer. These apps remain private and separate from the public store catalog, are tied to a standard Google account, and Google says sharing with select groups is coming soon.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-13
Epic Games and Apple filed a joint status update giving conflicting accounts of Apple's progress in turning over internal documents backing its proposed 5%-15% App Store commission structure. Epic alleges Apple is deliberately delaying the process, while Apple denies the claim. The dispute concerns documents Apple is required to produce under the agreement governing ongoing proceedings over its external-link commission rates.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-12
Singer Kelly Clarkson has become embroiled in an online dispute with a small novelty toy store in Brooklyn. The exchange has played out publicly on social media, drawing widespread attention to the previously low-profile shop.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-10-12
Apple has activated its 'get ready for pre-order' feature on the Apple Store Online and app, letting customers select their preferred iPhone Duo color, storage, and carrier before pre-orders open. Shoppers can also set up payment methods, including full payment, Apple Card financing, or the Apple Upgrade program. Official iPhone Duo pre-orders begin Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. PT/8 a.m. ET.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-12
Apple launched a promotional 'Indie Games Week' on the App Store, highlighting seven independent games that have recently launched or are set to launch soon. The company included a statement from Carson Oliver, Apple's head of App Store Worldwide, praising indie developers for creative risk-taking and unique gameplay.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-12
Apple is highlighting several indie titles on the App Store for Indie Games Week, with No Man's Sky as the headline addition. Hello Games' space survival title will be available for pre-order now and launches on iOS and iPadOS on October 28, free to try, running on devices as old as iPhone 11 and 3rd-gen iPad Air while using under 5GB of storage. The mobile version initially lacks multiplayer and settlements, mirroring early restrictions on the Switch port, though studio co-founder Sean Murray said those features could be added later based on feedback.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-12