Google’s Shocking Play Store Revelation: How Short Videos Are Revolutionizing App Discovery

If you believed that vertical video content was exclusive to nearly every app, prepare for a surprising addition to the mix: the Google Play Store. Google has introduced an original video series called “The Play Report” with the aim of helping users discover new apps, and it’s set to be featured right within the Play Store.

In a move designed to enhance user engagement and improve app discovery, Google will start showcasing these videos on the homepage of the Play Store, initially targeting specific users in the United States. For users not included in this initial group, these videos will be readily accessible via Google Play’s dedicated YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels.

Although not explicitly mentioned by Google, a GIF shared in their blog post strongly suggests that these videos align with the YouTube Shorts format. Beyond the video content itself, users will also find a convenient install icon for the app highlighted in the video, making it easier for them to download.

Google has pledged that each episode of “The Play Report” will feature experts, creators, and even Google employees offering valuable insights into various apps.

It’s important to note that the Play Store already allows developers to link YouTube videos as part of their app’s media assets, which are visible on the app’s listing page. What remains unclear is whether Google intends to expand support for short video content on the Play Store to include content from creators and developers beyond this specific program. Additionally, Google hasn’t provided details on whether the apps featured in these videos are selected by the company itself or if creators have a say in the selection process.

Google has already seen significant success with the YouTube Shorts format. In its Q3 2023 earnings call in July, the company reported that more than 2 billion logged-in monthly users actively engage with Shorts. Now, by incorporating short video content into the Play Store, Google is poised to leverage this format further to facilitate app discovery on yet another platform.

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Mobile

Apple might space out the upcoming iPhone models to accommodate a foldable

by George Mensah 2025-05-04

Apple is preparing its most significant iPhone release schedule overhaul in years, according to a bombshell report from The Information. The tech giant plans to:

Launch its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and “Air” models in fall 2026
Delay the standard iPhone 18 until spring 2027 (a first for Apple’s release calendar)
Introduce a slimmer “iPhone 17 Air” with a new battery case solution
Implement under-display Face ID in Pro models, leaving only a tiny camera cutout

This strategic shift represents Apple’s most dramatic product line reorganization since the introduction of the Plus/Max sizes, signaling a new era of smartphone innovation from Cupertino.

Inside Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Design and Specifications

The Foldable That Will Challenge Samsung’s Dominance

Apple’s first foray into foldables will feature:

Form Factor:

Book-style design (like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold) rather than clamshell
5.7-inch external display (comparable to iPhone 13 mini)
Just under 8-inch internal display (slightly larger than iPad mini)

Key Innovations:

Revolutionary 4.5-4.8mm thickness when unfolded (thinner than current iPads)
Face ID implementation (no Touch ID under display)
Proprietary hinge mechanism promising “industry-leading durability”

Supply Chain Insights:
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple has been working with suppliers for over three years to perfect the foldable display technology, with LG Display reportedly taking the lead on panel production.

Why Apple Is Shaking Up Its Release Schedule

Managing an Expanding Product Portfolio

With six distinct iPhone models potentially in the lineup by 2026, Apple faces unprecedented complexity:

iPhone 18 Pro Foldable (flagship innovation)
iPhone 18 Pro (traditional premium)
iPhone 18 Air (new slim category)
iPhone 18 (standard model)
iPhone 16E (budget-focused)
iPhone SE (4th gen) (entry-level)

The New Release Cadence:

Fall 2026: Foldable, Pro, and Air models debut
Spring 2027: Standard iPhone 18 and 16E follow-up launch

This staggered approach helps:

Prevent product cannibalization
Maintain media buzz throughout the year
Allow manufacturing to scale appropriately

The iPhone 17 Air: Apple’s Thinnest Smartphone Yet

Solving the Battery Life Challenge

The Information reveals surprising details about the iPhone 17 Air:

Design Tradeoffs:

Ultra-thin profile comes at a cost to battery capacity
Internal testing shows battery life “falling short” of previous models

Innovative Solution:

Optional smart battery case (sold separately)
Case maintains slim profile while extending usage time
Potential for MagSafe-compatible modular battery system

Strategic Implications:
This marks Apple’s first acknowledgment that thinness may have reached practical limits for daily use, prompting creative accessory solutions.

Under-Display Face ID: The Next Step in Apple’s Bezel-Free Journey

The iPhone 18 Pro’s Nearly All-Screen Future

Apple’s display technology is taking another leap forward:

Current State:

Dynamic Island (iPhone 14 Pro/15 Pro)
Smaller pill-shaped cutout

2026 Evolution:

Face ID sensors move completely under display
Only front-facing camera remains visible
Tiny hole-punch in top-left corner (similar to some Android flagships)

Why This Matters:

Represents the final step toward a truly all-screen iPhone
Maintains Face ID security while maximizing display real estate
Potentially enables always-on display functionality

Competitive Landscape: How Apple’s Moves Stack Up

Foldable Market Readiness

While Samsung has led the foldable market since 2019, Apple’s entry could:

Validate the foldable category for mainstream consumers
Drive rapid improvements in durability standards
Potentially double the global foldable market size by 2027

Price Point Expectations:
Analysts predict Apple’s foldable could command a $1,999 starting price, significantly above current Android foldables but with premium materials and ecosystem integration.

What This Means for Consumers and Investors

Consumer Implications:

More choices across price points and form factors
Potential for greater differentiation between models
New accessory ecosystem opportunities

Investor Considerations:

Higher ASP (average selling price) potential with foldable
Possible margin pressures from new technology adoption
Watch for supply chain developments in 2025

The Road Ahead: Key Milestones to Watch

2024:

iPhone 16 series launch (potential first glimpse of direction)
Possible foldable prototype leaks

2025:

Supply chain confirmation of foldable production
Developer kit releases for foldable-specific software

2026:

Foldable iPhone announcement (likely September event)
iOS features specifically optimized for foldables

Conclusion: Apple’s Most Ambitious iPhone Strategy Yet

This reported roadmap represents Tim Cook’s most aggressive product strategy since taking the helm, showing Apple’s willingness to:

Embrace new form factors after years of watching the foldable market
Disrupt its own release calendar to better manage product complexity
Push display technology boundaries with under-screen innovations
Address practical limitations with creative accessory solutions

While Android manufacturers have pioneered many of these concepts, Apple’s methodical approach and ecosystem advantages could finally bring foldables and advanced display tech to the mainstream.

The coming years will prove whether this bold strategy can maintain Apple’s industry-leading position or if the company has stretched its iPhone lineup too far. One thing is certain – the smartphone landscape is about to get much more interesting.

Mobile

The Google Play Store lost about half of its apps

by George Mensah 2025-05-01

In a dramatic shift for Android users, the Google Play Store has removed a staggering 1.8 million apps since the start of 2024—47% of its entire catalog—according to new data from Appfigures. This mass exodus reflects Google’s aggressive crackdown on low-quality, spammy, and policy-violating apps, signaling a major shift in how the tech giant manages its digital marketplace.

Key Findings: Why Millions of Apps Got the Boot

Games hit hardest (200,000 removed)
Education apps saw 160,700 deletions
Business apps lost 115,400 listings
Total apps dropped from 3.4M to 1.6M
Apple’s App Store grew slightly (1.6M to 1.64M apps)

Google’s Stance:
“We’re focused on delivering high-quality apps and continuous improvements for user safety,” says spokesperson Dan Jackson.

Behind the Purge: Google’s War on Bad Apps

1. Stricter Review Policies (2023 Onward)

Mandatory 20-person testing for all new apps (2-week minimum)
AI-powered scans detecting copycat/spam apps
Blocked 2.36M policy-violating apps in 2024 alone

2. Targeting “Low-Value” Apps

Google now removes apps with:

Limited functionality (e.g., single-feature calculators)
Deceptive subscriptions
Fake reviews or engagement farming

3. The “Apple Effect”?

While Google purged apps, Apple’s App Store grew by 40,000—likely due to:
✔ Stricter upfront review process
✔ Higher developer fees ($99/year) acting as a filter
✔ Fewer “throwaway” apps in iOS ecosystem

Who’s Affected? Winners & Losers

Losers:

❌ Clone App Developers – Low-effort duplicates are being wiped out
❌ Ad-Farming Apps – Google’s AI now detects fake engagement
❌ “Fleeceware” Scams – Deceptive subscription traps are being banned

Winners:

✅ Legitimate Developers – Less competition from spam apps
✅ Android Users – Higher-quality, safer app ecosystem
✅ Enterprise Apps – Business/education apps surviving purge indicate higher standards

The Bigger Trend: App Stores Are Growing Up

Quality over quantity is now the priority
AI moderation replacing manual reviews
Developer accountability increasing (testing requirements)

Expert Insight:
“This isn’t just a cleanup—it’s a complete repositioning. Google wants Play Store to rival Apple’s curated experience,” says mobile analyst Sarah Chen.

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