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byFrank Malenfant ( 5456240 ) writes:
As much as I think these FAANG companies should be forced to pay more taxes, I think Android's business model is a very fair deal. Free OS in exchange of plugging their other free services. Don't Apple phones force you to use iTunes and all sorts of funky Apple cables and expensive iSutff? Nothing prevents us from using other search engines or Amazon's AppStore on an Android Device, and we cas have a wide range of phones at any price.
I'd rather have Google Search preinstalled on all my phones than being f
bybradley13 ( 1118935 ) writes:
Nothing prevents you from using other search engines, BUT: Google's "deal" with phone manufacturers prevents them from pre-installing anything else. Ask your average, non-technical user how to install an alternate search engine on their phone. Ask your average, non-technical user how they can get rid of the ever-present Google search widget. They will have no idea how to do either of those things. Hence, the result: Android --> Google Search
This is a very clever and intentional business practice by Google. And it is the very definition of an abusive monopoly: using dominance in one area (Android) to support dominance in another area (mobile search). Actually, not only search, but also all of the other uninstallable Google apps, like maps. All of which leads to Google dominance in mobile advertising, which is where they make their money. BTW, It doesn't matter that Android is "free" - so is your first hit from the drug dealer.
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by_Sharp'r_ ( 649297 ) writes:
The flaw in the fine is the makes-no-sense standard. Apple has a less open, completely locked down OS environment, but they don't get fined, while Google has a more open and more free for others to use whatever hardware and apps they want OS environment, so they get fined.
They're holding Google to a ridiculous standard while they allow Apple to do way more without comment, only because Google is friendlier to allowing others to bring their own hardware and apps than Apple is. What kind of messed up standard
by_Sharp'r_ ( 649297 ) writes:
Apple gets paid $3 Billion/year for the privilege of being the default search engine on iOS.
Just because they don't happen to own their own, doesn't mean they don't have a financial interest and gain in deciding which one goes on iPhones. I'd guess they have similar deals for any other default app they don't own on iPhones. They certainly make a bunch from their enforced cut of all Apple app store software/book/music/movie sales they do their best to lock all their customers into.
So the argument still stand
by_Sharp'r_ ( 649297 ) writes:
You're an idiot. Google isn't "forcing" manufacturers to use their search engine nor install their software on their hardware either. Any phone maker is free to not enter into a voluntary agreement with Google to use the software Google produces. They can even use Android as a base without using Google's proprietary software (Amazon does). What they can't do is use Google's software and then not comply with the licensing agreement. Except of course, in Europe, where companies who license software for others
by_Sharp'r_ ( 649297 ) writes:
I don't particularly like Apple, nor Google, despite carrying a phone from each of them, but I do recognize an unfair and counter-productive antitrust decision (only punishing the more open to increasing competition configuration and agreements) when I see one.
by_Sharp'r_ ( 649297 ) writes:
No, Google allows companies to include other search engines and competing browsers, they just have to include Google's when they use Google's software.
The EU defined the relevent "market" as licensable phone OSes. [truthonthemarket.com] That's a ridiculous market definition, which completely excludes, for example, Apple, which has 25% of the EU market for mobile phones.
The EU's antitrust laws don't take into account the affect on consumers, they only look at the structure of the market they define and if the EU thinks they're fai
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by_Sharp'r_ ( 649297 ) writes:
Depending on the country, iOS has between 20% and 45% market share in Europe. Hardly a "bit player", I'm pretty sure that's largest than any other single manufacturer.
by_Sharp'r_ ( 649297 ) writes:
If we compare like for like in terms of competition for customers customers (which is what is supposed to be the subject of anti-trust):
Does Google allow other manufacturers to install Google's OS on their phones at all in order to compete with them? They have no control over over phone manufacturers, who can do anything they want on their phones without Google's approval as long as they aren't using Google's software, but they also allow phone manufacturers to install Google's proprietary software packages
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bycolonslash ( 544210 ) writes:
> This is a very clever and intentional business practice by Google.
Yes, they give people free services in exchange for advertising. This has proven very popular, and that's why Android is one of the 2 biggest mobile OSes.
> And it is the very definition of an abusive monopoly
No. Being successful because people choose your product doesn't make a company a monopoly. Google does not control the supply of smartphone OSes. They actually make the AOSP freely available, so they make it easy for competition t
bybeer_maker ( 263112 ) writes:
Those users quite simply "Google it" ... what they really lack is the desire or understanding of why they might want to do such a thing.
If you want people to switch their default browser you need to make them want to, and that's just not happening. As for the other apps, they are quite easy to ignore, IF the users want to use another application. Most people don't care.
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