Keeping Your Apps Hidden

Google's changing its Developer Program Policy to keep apps from seeing what's already installed

April 5, 2021 It's April 5, 2021. It's National Flash Drive Day. Go give thanks to the tiny storage devices we carry on our key rings.     ⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to): 205 articles, 3 podcasts, 6 press releases, 312 tweets, and 10 YouTube videos 1. Google Makes It Harder for Apps to See What You Have Installed  Google is making changes to its Developer Program Policy that make it harder for apps to see what's installed on your devices. To Google, your apps are "personal and sensitive information" and will limit such access to "device search, antivirus apps, file managers, and browsers." Good going, Google. 2. Sony to Announce New Xperia Hardware on April 14th The banner image for the Sony Xperia YouTube channel has been updated, revealing an April 14 announcement for some kind of Xperia hardware. Will it be a new phone? How impressive will it be? Mark those calendars and find out when we do. 3. Apple Arcade Expanded to Have Classic App Store Games Apple is updating Apple Arcade with over 30 more games and two new categories. The first, Timeless Classics, includes games like Good Sudoku by Zach Gage and Chess - Play & Learn, while App Store Greats has games like Fruit Ninja Classic and Threes!. Is that a hint of nostalgia we're feeling? 🦑 Go Deeper Those M1 Macs sound pretty good, but do they really match the hype? Charlie Sorrel isn't willing to let go of his M1 Mac mini after three months, so there must be something to it.     🎱 By the Numbers Google on top every time Data: Business of Apps Roughly 9 billion apps were downloaded from the iOS App Store towards the end of 2020, but those numbers pale in comparison to the Google Play Store's 28 billion downloads. Regardless of whether you're on Android or iOS, though, apps continue to be popular and plentiful.     🔥 Today's Hot Deal This Ring Doorbell and Echo Dot (Gen 4) bundle is $85 right now on Amazon. If you don't have either device, this is the perfect deal. Grab one asap. Don't Miss This Deal 🤓 Nerd Out "And you thought GPUs were expensive." —Rob LeFebvre, Senior News Editor Never underestimate how much video games can cost, because this sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. for the NES just sold at auction for $660,000. Worth it? Someone sure thinks so. (Share on Twitter) 💎 You Know You Want It  Robot rock Image: teenage engineering Music producers out there may be interested in the OP-Z, a portable track sequencer and synthesizer. At $600, it comes with 16 sample packs, 12 synthesis sound engines, and you can sequence music, visuals, and lights with it. Does that sound like your kinda thing? Then you probably want this.  🎧 Listen Up Clubhouse and Apple and AR, oh my! A lot went down this week, involving Clubhouse, Apple's WWDC and rumored headset, and more. Join The Vergecast as they delve into the big tech news of the week to help you wrap you head around it all.     🗞 Extra! Extra! We've got you covered with the best in daily tech news! See the latest on our site or follow us on Google News. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here. Have something you'd like us to write about? We're always open for suggestions, too. You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Tech Today newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here .   Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. A Dotdash Brand 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 2020 Dotdash • All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.   [View in Browser]