October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

Epic and Google’s U.S. Settlement Is Not in Effect; Australia Approved Separate Terms

Epic and Google reached a new agreement, but the U.S. court did not enter the requested revised injunction. Australia’s regulator authorized separate terms for that jurisdiction.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Did Epic and Google settle? They reached a new agreement in March 2026, but it did not replace the U.S. court’s permanent injunction. The companies withdrew their renewed request to modify that injunction in July, and the court vacated a planned hearing while directing them to address compliance with the existing order. Separately, Australia’s competition regulator authorized specified settlement terms for Australia through September 30, 2032.

What happened to the U.S. settlement request?

On March 4, 2026, Google said it had entered a new settlement agreement with Epic and that the companies had asked the U.S. District Court to enter a revised Modified Injunction. That was a request for the court to change its order, not a change that took effect automatically when the companies made their private agreement. Google Play’s developer-policy update described the request.

The later procedural turn came in July. The docket index records that the parties withdrew their renewed joint motion on July 14–15, 2026. The court vacated the evidentiary hearing scheduled for July 16 and directed the parties to discuss Google’s compliance with the existing permanent injunction and implementation of its remedies. The record reviewed therefore does not show that the U.S. court entered the requested revised injunction. The docket index records the withdrawal and order.

What does the existing U.S. framework mean for Google Play?

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the injunction in 2025. Among its provisions, the injunction includes an opt-out mechanism: developers can exclude their app from catalog access for a particular third-party Android app store. That gives developers a choice about distribution rather than making every Play app available to every store. The Ninth Circuit opinion describes the remedy.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller for Windows PC and Android, with 1000 Hz Polling Rate, Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers, and Remappable L4/R4 Bumpers (Green)
  • Compatible with Windows and Android.
  • 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
  • Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
  • Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
  • Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.

Google’s published policy page describes how the company says it has implemented parts of the U.S. framework. For apps on mobile and tablet form factors serving U.S. users, Google says changes took effect October 29, 2025. Its summary says developers may communicate about availability or pricing outside Play, link to off-Play downloads or transactions, and use in-app payment methods other than Google Play Billing, subject to the relevant program rules. These are Google’s descriptions of its policies and programs, not a substitute for the court’s order. Google’s policy update outlines the programs.

Google also says it began making app listings available to third-party U.S. app stores unless developers opted out, and that onboarding through its Third-party App Store on Play Program began in July 2026. Google states that developers using the external-content-link and alternative-billing programs will need to report transactions and pay applicable fees starting October 1, 2026. Those operational details are subject to Google’s program rules and should not be confused with a judicial approval of the March agreement. Google’s policy page gives its current program descriptions.

Rank #2
Sale
XBOX Wireless Gaming Controller | Shock Blue
  • MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
  • PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
  • SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
  • VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
  • BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.

Why did the proposed change draw scrutiny?

The requested modification mattered because a private settlement and a court-ordered competition remedy serve different functions. The companies could agree on commercial terms or a way to resolve disputes, but changing the injunction required court action.

In a January 2026 amicus brief, the Federal Trade Commission argued that the court should assess the public interest and the relationship between the proposed modification and the parties’ private agreement. The FTC warned that private benefits might not fully address competition concerns. Those were the regulator’s arguments for judicial consideration, not a finding that the agreement was unlawful or the court’s stated rationale for the July withdrawal. The FTC’s amicus brief sets out its position.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Logitech G F310 Wired Gamepad Controller Console - Blue/Black
  • With broad game support, the Logitech Gamepad F310 works with old standbys to today's biggest titles, so it's easy to set up and use with your favorite games.
  • Profiler software allows the gamepad to be programmed to perform keyboard and mouse commands for games without gamepad support.* * Requires software installation.
  • A familiar control layout that doesn't require a learning curve to be able to use, with all the same buttons as on an Xbox 360.
  • The unique floating D-pad rests on four switches-instead of a single pivot point-making it responsive to quick changes in direction.
  • The six-foot cord lets you lean back and play a comfortable distance from your PC monitor.

What is different in Australia?

On September 2, 2026, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission authorized specified conduct connected to the Epic-Google settlement for Australia through September 30, 2032. The covered subjects include Google Play service fees and the display and use of alternative payment options. This is an Australian regulatory authorization, not U.S. court approval or a change to the U.S. injunction. The ACCC’s announcement describes the authorized terms.

Jurisdiction What happened What it means
United States The parties withdrew their renewed request to modify the injunction in July 2026; the court vacated the hearing and directed attention to compliance with the existing order. Docket index. The record reviewed does not show that the requested revised injunction was entered.
Australia The ACCC authorized specified settlement-related conduct on September 2, 2026, through September 30, 2032. ACCC announcement. The authorization applies to Australia, not the U.S. proceeding.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What remains unresolved?

The complete text of the March 2026 agreement and a full transcript of the July 16 status conference are not established by the cited materials, so specific commercial terms or judicial comments should not be inferred. The docket index’s July 28 update also does not establish whether later court orders changed compliance requirements. The precise status after that update requires checking the current docket.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller for Windows PC and Android, with 1000 Hz Polling Rate, Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers, and Remappable L4/R4 Bumpers (Green)
8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller for Windows PC and Android, with 1000 Hz Polling Rate, Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers, and Remappable L4/R4 Bumpers (Green)
Compatible with Windows and Android.; 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection); Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
$20.99
Bestseller No. 3
Logitech G F310 Wired Gamepad Controller Console - Blue/Black
Logitech G F310 Wired Gamepad Controller Console - Blue/Black
The six-foot cord lets you lean back and play a comfortable distance from your PC monitor.
$19.99
Bestseller No. 5
PlayStation DualSense™ Wireless Controller – Galactic Purple - For PS5, PC, MAC & Mobile
PlayStation DualSense™ Wireless Controller – Galactic Purple - For PS5, PC, MAC & Mobile
Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback; Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
$74.00
Best Value
PlayStation DualSense™ Wireless Controller – Galactic Purple - For PS5, PC, MAC & Mobile
  • Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
  • Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
  • Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
  • Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
  • Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
Rank #4
MYSTILUCK Wireless Pro Controller for Switch/Switch 2/Lite/OLED/PC
  • Compatible with Wide Range of Consoles: This controller works with consoles such as Switch 2, Switch, Switch Pro, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED. (Please note): The controller's “HOME” button cannot wake up the Switch 2 console and does not have the C button for voice chat functions. However, all other functions are fully usable, including: dual vibration, 6-axis gyroscope, screenshot function, Hall effect buttons, and turbo.
  • Cool and Colorful Lighting Switch Controller Wireless: It features 7 colors of RGB lighting (Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Cyan - Blue - Violet) and 4 light modes (Dazzle - Monochrome - Monochrome Breathe - Monochrome Breathe Cycle).
  • Hall Effect Technology for Switch Pro Controller: Experience zero drift and unmatched accuracy with our Hall effect joystick switch. Adaptive trigger feedback with adjustable resistance levels lets you feel every action. With <0.1 ms response time and 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, enjoy instant trigger detection in FPS games. 3+ million clicks on the controller mean a long service life.
  • Dual Motor Vibration, Turbo Function and 6 Axis Gyroscope: The switch 2 controller has two vibration motors with three intensity levels—off, low, and high—and provides exceptional haptic feedback to enhance the gaming experience. The controller also offers three adjustable turbo speeds (5-10-15 Hz), which are particularly suitable for first-person shooter games. In addition, it features a 6 axis gyroscope chip for precise motion control. The physical movements of the players are precisely matched to the actions of their game characters.
  • Reliable After-Sales Support You Can Count On: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Should you experience any quality concerns with your gaming controller, simply reach out to us via our customer service email, and we’ll respond promptly. We stand behind our product with a hassle-free replacement policy—ensuring you’re back to gaming without worry, no questions asked.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.