What Android users need to know about Google's fight with the EU

The European Union slapped Google with a $ 5 billion fine on Wednesday, alleging that the technology giant acted uncompetitively in pre-loading applications and its services, such as research Google and the Chrome browser on Android phones. But as we look into the details of the complaint, it's unclear how this will affect more than 2 billion people around the world who use Google's Android operating system. each month.

I see a lot of changes to the phones in their pockets. On the one hand, the complaint gives Google 90 days to change its practices in Europe. In addition, Google said that it would appeal the decision.

If Google fails, then there might be some noticeable differences. On a small scale, this decision could change what applications are installed when Europeans take a new phone in the store. What is installed by default is a big part of the EU complaint, which specifically opposes the automatic installation of the Chrome browser and the Google Play Store. (Google is already giving people the option to download alternatives to many of its applications, but this may need to be made more explicit.)

The European Union said in a statement that 95% of the users of Android use Google search. Regulators that the vast majority of people do not change their settings.

Faced with antitrust charges before, Google has given people the opportunity to choose between services when setting up their phones. An antitrust dispute in Russia, for example, has prompted Google to change its design to offer people a choice of search engines when they install their phones.

The hope is that the unbundling of Google's apps by the phones is standardizing the rules of the game with their foot in the door – or rather their application in front of new eyeballs. For consumers, this could mean having to look for alternatives because there is no default option. But, according to the argument of the EU, then they could find other products that better meet their needs.

This idea, however, threatens the very foundation of Android. At present, Google's Android software is "open" or available for free for manufacturers. At this price, it is obviously cheaper for companies to choose Android than to develop their own system. Google benefits from these partnerships because its products, such as research, are embedded in the software and used by millions of people.

The opening of its platform to manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei and others in the running of the operating system. Apart from Apple, no company has been able to develop an alternative to Android that competes with this dominance. According to StatCounter, a website analytics company, Android is used by nearly 80% of mobile phone users.

Google should change a lot if it adopted a strategy, for example, more like Apple – which has operating system – said Larry Downes, project director at the Business and Policy Center of Georgetown and a columnist for the Postal Innovations section. If she adopted this model, she would have to sell the Android operating system to the smartphone manufacturers right from the start. This cost would likely be passed on to all consumers, he said.

"If they can not count on that as a source of money, they will have to bill Android and all the software that Google manufactures" says

© The Washington Post 2018

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