Google's Android changes may lead to fragmentation and more expensive phones

Google makes fundamental changes to the operation of Android in Europe, thanks to a $ 5 billion fine imposed by the European Union earlier this year.

Here is a summary of the changes because it is complicated:

• Phone makers who want to use Android on their devices will no longer be required to install an exclusive set of Google apps (Chrome, Search) to access the Google Apps Store. Play, the most popular app store on Android.
• The disadvantage is that Google will now charge phone manufacturer licenses for a variety of apps, including Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Separate licenses will be charged for Search and Chrome.
• This means that phone manufacturers may choose to pre-install Google apps as well as those of their competitors.
• They are also free to create non-compatible "split" versions of Android and still have access to Google apps, where previously unsupported forks were locked out of the Play app store.
• You can read the explanation of Google here.

Until these changes actually come into effect, it's hard to know exactly what the outcome will be for consumers, but here's a look at some possible scenarios.

Android phones become more expensive in Europe

When the EU first struck a fine with Google, legal experts last year warned that Android phones could become more expensive.

To understand why Android phones are likely to cost more because of this fine, it is important to remember that search advertising is Google's main engine for desktops and mobile devices. And more and more, the mobile becomes more and more important because we are all buried in our smartphones.

Android remained free because Google, through demanding phone makers preinstalling Google Search, ensured that it could continue to earn a lot of money from mobile search ads. Thanks to the European Union, this almost guaranteed source of income is under threat and Google has to find another way to make money with Android.

The pricing of Android does not make sense: it is in Google's interest to make the operating system as widely as possible. Cue license agreements for its most popular apps.

Phone makers may realize that their customers still want immediate access to Google services, such as Google Maps and Google Search, and are therefore concerned about new licenses. And these costs could be passed on to consumers, who will suddenly see the price of Android phones increase.

But it depends on a few things. One of them is the number of phone makers who decide to use Google licensed applications, rather than pre-installing competing services. Another solution is that Google can effectively cancel license payments by paying phone manufacturers to highlight Search and Chrome on their home screens. It will cost Google a little more money, but the income guaranteed by the search ads is worth it.

The problem of fragmentation of the Android ecosystem worsens

When you buy an iPhone, you know exactly what you are getting. This is not a guarantee when shopping for Android phones because manufacturers check the timing of the operating system updates.

Fragmentation is a constant headache for Google. This refers to the fact that many phones work on different versions of Android. This is bad for application developers and for security. Fragmentation is why new great apps tend to hit the iPhone before arriving on Android.

The Developer Alliance, which has been on Google's side throughout its European journey, wrote Tuesday that "the specter of fragmentation is back." This is thanks to Google who decided to allow Android forks not compatible because of the fine imposed by the EU.

Android forks are popular, especially with people who want the freedom to tinker with their phone. Unsupported Android forks are excluded from Google services. They are therefore also popular with anti-business types. Amazon has created an Android fork, FireOS, to run on its Fire tablets and other hardware, but Google has essentially frozen this system on smartphones. Unfortunately, the ranges also mean that Android does not exactly look like a consistent experience.

According to the alliance: "There is a risk that divergent versions of Android will lead to devices whose development of applications is more expensive and not working for all users. Clear will help reduce the risk of user confusion between compatible and incompatible Android devices. "