Google Could Be Fined For Forcing Its Pre-Installed Apps In Android Phones

Be it Samsung, HTC, or any big device maker, all fall short against Google’s rigid policies. To use Google Play Store in addition to a basic Android package from Android Open Source Project (AOSP), OEMs have to abide by an agreement which forces Android-powered smartphones to come with pre-installed Google apps.

But EU regulators are not satisfied with the present policies and may fine Google in billions, according to a report from Washington Post.

Margrethe Vestager, the European Union Competitive chief, has argued that Google search and web browsing tools ensure Google’s dominance in maintaining its own app ecosystem. This gives the company upper hand over other third-party applications.

If it happens, this will be the second time Google will be slapped with a fine from EU. Back in 2016, Google was fined 2.7 billion dollars for manipulating search results, offering the top position to its own shopping comparison website.

If the regulation goes into action, Google would have to bring a few major changes to its Android platform. It is possible that users would be able to switch between the Google search engine and installed 3rd party searches. Also, Google might offer uninstallation features to pre-installed apps like Google Chrome and Gboard (Google Keyboard)

Furthermore, this would force Google to overhaul its strategy entirely since Google’s personalized experience is built around Google search results.

“Nobody is forced to take Google’s apps, but if you want to have certain apps you have to have the whole suite,” said Jakob Kucharczyk, Google E.U representative.

Comments

iOS 11.3 coming this spring with battery and performance settings, ARKit 1.5, new Animoji

In a sign that Apple will continue to update iOS regularly instead of withholding features for its next major point-zero release, Apple on Wednesday revealed new features coming to an iOS 11.3 update this spring, including the ability to toggle the power management feature for iPhone models with aging batteries. Apple will implement new battery health information and the ability to customize power settings after it was revealed that the company throttles CPU performance on older devices where the battery is deteriorating. Apple's throttling is done to prevent random shutdowns of the device and ensure smooth operation, but some customers took offense to the fact that the slowdowns were occurring without transparency to the user. In a press release issued on Wednesday, Apple said that the iOS 11.3 update this fall will show battery health, and recommend to users if their battery needs to be serviced. The capabilities will be available for iPhone 6 and later. Users will...

DJI Spark vs. Parrot Bebop 2 Which One Is The Best

It's a Parrot vs DJI drone showdown Earlier this year, DJI announced it would be taking on the entry-level, selfie drone market with its Spark . Along with challengers like the Yuneec Breeze , the smallest DJI quadcopter is priced within touching distance of the bigger Parrot Bebop 2 . How do they compare? Weight The Bebop is significantly heavier than the Spark, but that extra weight is an advantage in some ways. More on that in a minute. Battery Parrot has slotted a big battery into the Bebop 2 – the original Bebop had an 1100 mAh unit, compared to the 2700 mAh pack in the latest Bebop 2. That translates to a healthy flight time, too. Flight Time Parrot has a massive advantage over DJI when it comes to flight time. The bigger battery in the Bebop affords it a healthy 25 minute flight time, compared to 16 minutes for the Spark. The heavier Parrot drone is also likely to stand up better to buffeting in high winds. Range Both d...

How To Turn Off Facebook Face Recognition System On App And PC?

When it comes to privacy features, Facebook probably has gone where no company has gone before. It includes unchartered territories like asking people’s naked pictures to help victims of revenge porn. Now, Facebook has introduced another privacy feature that can tell whether someone has uploaded your photo to Facebook’s network. Although it was first announced in December last year, recently the company has reached out Facebook users through their News Feed, notifying them that the face recognition system is being used “for more features.” Analyzing people’s faces and storing them has its benefits. For instance, people can know if someone has uploaded their picture, regardless of whether they’re tagged in it or not. Also, Facebook could tell you whether a stranger is using your photo as their profile picture and help visually impaired users identify people in photographs. Facebook doesn’t store people’s images directly; it creates a blueprint or face...

Tech Knock

Search This Blog