Like all popular apps, Monument Valley faces a piracy problem. Photo: Ustwo

One of the biggest reasons why many app developers continue to snub Android is piracy. The platform’s “open” approach, which allows applications to be downloaded from third-party sources and installed manually, makes it incredibly easy for users to circumvent Google Play and obtain paid apps completely free.

Piracy on Android is so rampant right now that just 5 percent of installs of Monument Valley — one of the best mobile games of 2014, which is currently priced at $3.99 in the Play Store — have actually been paid for.

The WATCH will come at a “very accessible price.” Photo: Alcatel Onetouch

Alcatel Onetouch today made a few announcements ahead of CES 2015 next week, and by far its most exciting is for the WATCH, a brand new smartwatch that looks downright gorgeous. The device is clearly inspired by the Moto 360 — arguably the finest wearable so far — but it does have one big drawback… or at least it would seem so.

Nexus 6 is now available from Motorola. Photo: Google

Still struggling to get a Nexus 6 through Google Play? You can now buy the device direct from Motorola instead — and providing you get your order in fairly quickly, your handset will be shipped in early January.

Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Android.

Google has made a small amendment to its Play Store guidelines for developers, banning them from using customer testimonials in their app and game descriptions. The rule is designed to prevent the manipulation of ranking or relevancy by removing potentially irrelevant or misleading keywords or phrases.

Project Tango packs a serious punch. Photo: Google

A select group of Android developers have been invited to purchase Project Tango, Google’s superpowered developer tablet that costs a whopping $1,024. Only limited quantities of the device are available, Google says, and only those chosen to receive an invite will be eligible to purchase one.