Different Google services are bundled with Android
If you buy an Android device, look at the first use usually directly different apps from Google: include the search engine, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Play Music, Hangouts and Photos are included. Also, the Google Play app store is always present on smartphones with the Google version “of Android.
According to the European Commission, this distortion of competition. For example, Google would hinder the growth of other search engines by setting Google as default. That takes competitors patronage and money, says the committee.
The situation is somewhat similar to that of Microsoft at the beginning of the century. That company supplied standard with Internet Explorer with Windows, at that time by far the most widely used computer in the world, so other browser makers were disadvantaged. It came to be Microsoft a billion fine, though it took years before the case the Commission had been completed.
Currently, Android is by far the most popular operating system in the world. According to research firm Gartner last year were sold more than a billion Android devices, at less than 300 million iOS and Windows devices. Due to the enormous growth of Android and Google in general, the company has increasingly come under the magnifying glass of supervisors.
Google denies the allegations
According to the company, there is no distortion of competition, as smartphone makers also may choose to no supply with Google services. Android is an open source operating namely, where everyone can do whatever he wants.
In Europe, Android is almost never comes without Google services, because then no apps from the Play store to download. In China, it is quite normal that smartphone makers develop their own version of Android, with their own app stores and underlying services.
It is for smartphone makers not possible to provide Android with a few Google services in it. The whole package should be included, or the Google services may not be present at all.
Third-party apps flour springs must be
Smartphone Makers are otherwise free to make their own apps compete supply, in addition to the apps from Google. As it quite often happens that Android devices have for example two photo apps or two email apps.
Facebook and Microsoft have contracts with many manufacturers of Android phones to install their apps by default. Also, providers can provide their own apps on a device.
Google refers to this as an indication that all is not so bad with the competition. Other app makers can share their app simply default to get on phone, the Internet giant argues including through lobbying organization CCIA.
It is Google a lot at stake
Android is free for manufacturers of smartphones and other devices. Google therefore earns nothing from the sale of the operating system, like Microsoft for example deserves to selling Windows on a laptop makers.
Instead, Google earns money by Android users to use services. Google’s search engine and other services of the company are the standard on Android phones, so they have many users and provide include advertising revenue.
If Google no longer allowed to default its own apps a portion of that revenue may be lost. The earnings of Android works then suddenly a lot less
This is not the only accusation against Google
Last year, the European Commission also presented an official complaint against Google for abuse of power by search engine. The Google Shopping own price would be favored in the results, to the detriment of competitors. The case still and Google denies this accusation is
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European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said she also looks at other Google products, such as card services, local search and advertentietak. There are no official studies currently set to.
It can take a long time before such time
The European Commission Wednesday sent ‘statement of objections’. That is in fact the official charge against Google, following an official investigation, launched last year.
It may be a long time before a final conclusion is made. Major competition cases are often long processes involving many different market participants are concerned for comments.
A possible fine could not exceed 10 percent of the annual revenue from Google. In 2015, Google turned a turnover of over $ 75 billion. A settlement – which Google promises its process to adapt and possibly pay a smaller fine – but could also be an option
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