Google opens Play Store to a third-party app store, Gemini gets new apps, and a clever DeX trick for your foldable

The Play Store just got its first third-party app store in the US — Google opens Play Store third-party app

The mobile world moves fast. In just the last few days, Google has opened the Play Store to a third-party app store, expanded Gemini's app connections, and a clever developer figured out how to run Samsung DeX locally on a foldable phone. And if your phone is running out of space, a simple tool might help you get a grip on that storage mess. Let's walk through what these changes mean for you.

Gemini is getting a big batch of new app connections — Google opens Play Store third-party app

What this means for Google opens Play Store third-party app

For the first time in the United States, Google Play is hosting another company's app store inside its own. The app store in question is Aptoide, an older games-first store that has been around in some form for nearly 20 years. On August 10, 2026, Aptoide went live on the US Play Store. This is a direct result of Google's court case loss to Epic Games and the policy changes that followed.

Right now, Aptoide is mostly known for offering games. But the bigger picture matters more. The change means Google is now allowing what some call a‘yo dawg’ setup — an app store inside an app store. The barrier for other companies to follow is significant. It costs at least $15,000 per year just to get in, plus review costs. But the door is now open for big names like Microsoft, Epic, or even Valve to offer their own stores through Google Play.

For Android users, this could change how you find and pay for apps. Instead of only seeing the apps that big publishers push, you might have access to smaller, more carefully chosen collections. It also makes it easier for stores like Epic's to sell games directly without Google taking a big cut. The real change may not come overnight, but the foundation has been laid.

One important catch: this change is US-only for now. Outside the US, Google is planning a different approach tied to a future Android 17 release, likely in September. So if you live outside the US, stay patient — something similar is coming.

A clever app lets you run Samsung DeX right on your Galaxy Z Fold — Google opens Play Store third-party app

Google is expanding what its Gemini digital assistant can do by connecting it to more apps. In a blog post on August 12, 2026, the company announced a wave of new integrations that focus on four main areas: productivity, entertainment, music, and lifestyle. These integrations will roll out over the next few weeks, so you won't see them immediately.

With these connections, you can ask Gemini to summarize your meetings via Otter.ai, edit your Wix website, book a dinner reservation through OpenTable, find tickets for a concert on Ticketmaster, or stream a Pandora playlist. The idea is to make Gemini a more useful helper that can actually get things done across the apps you already use.

This is a smart move. Most of us juggle many different apps throughout the day. Having one assistant that can reach into all of them saves time and frustration. Look for these new integrations to appear in your Gemini settings over the coming weeks.

A simple storage analyzer can save you from maxed-out phone storage — Google opens Play Store third-party app

Samsung DeX has been around for nearly a decade. It turns your Galaxy phone into a desktop-like experience when you plug it into a monitor. But what if you don't have a monitor handy? A Japanese developer named Nobu has created an app called DeX Inner Tester that lets you run DeX directly on your Galaxy Z Fold's screen — no external display needed.

The app is still in early testing. According to the developer, it works on Galaxy Z Fold models running One UI 8 or newer. That means the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and likely the Fold 7 are supported. Early users say the app mostly works, but the minimize and close buttons are glitchy. That makes it tough to use for real work right now.

To try it, you need to download an APK file and follow install instructions from the developer's Discord channel (most of which are in Japanese). You'll also need to grant shell access via wireless debugging and certain accessibility permissions. That's a lot of steps, so this is only for adventurous users who don't mind tinkering.

Even with the bugs, this is a neat idea. A foldable phone already feels like a small tablet. Being able to use a desktop interface on its inner screen would make it much more useful for typing documents, browsing the web with multiple windows, or editing photos. The developer has already hinted at a version for the Galaxy S26, though for now the compatible list is limited to the Z Fold.

It will be interesting to see if Samsung builds its own version of this feature or tries to block third-party apps like this one. Either way, the fact that a single developer can make this happen shows how much potential foldables still have.

What all this means for your phone — Google opens Play Store third-party app

Running out of space on your phone is a headache. You buy a phone with 128GB or 256GB thinking it will last, but somehow it fills up. The usual solutions — cloud storage, moving files to a PC, or buying a bigger phone next time — are not always practical.

A storage analyzer app called Disky can help. It's not on the Google Play Store, but you can find it on the F-Droid app store. When you open Disky, it quickly scans your phone and shows a simple pie chart of what's using your storage. It lists the biggest space hogs first. For one user, apps took 45GB, the DCIM folder took 17.5GB, and downloads took 11.5GB.

The downside of Disky is that it only shows what's using space. You can't delete files from inside the app. You'll need to go to your file manager or app settings to actually remove the stuff. But having a clear picture of what's eating your storage is the first step to fixing the problem.

Another option is SD Maid 2/SE, which is more powerful. It can clear cache files, find leftover files from uninstalled apps, remove duplicate files, and even schedule automatic cleanups. However, most of its best features require a paid subscription. For a quick look at what's taking space, Disky is free and simple.

If you want to explore more ways to manage your Android device, check out our mobile guides for practical tips. And if you're in the market for a new phone with more storage, our best phones page can help you choose wisely.

Keep your phone ready for what's next: Google Play Store — Google opens Play Store third-party app

This week's news shows that Android is still a platform where things change fast. The Play Store is opening up to third-party stores, which could lead to more choice and cheaper apps. Gemini is becoming a more useful assistant by connecting to the apps you actually use. A clever developer showed that foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold can do even more than their makers first imagined. And a free storage analyzer can help you keep your phone running smoothly.

Whether you're excited about new Gemini features, curious about trying DeX on your foldable, or just need to free up some space, there's something here for everyone. Keep an eye on the mobile news section for updates as these features roll out. And if you want to compare the latest phones that can run all this stuff, try our phone finder tool.