Latest news with #PlayServices
Android Authority
21-05-2025
- Android Authority
Quick Share's mobile data toggle is finally rolling out
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Last year, we spotted Google working to bring a mobile data toggle to Quick Share. In February, Google formally announced the feature as part of a Play Services update. Three months later, the toggle is finally rolling out to the public. On one hand, data is data, and whether we're sending our files over USB, by Wi-Fi, or over a carrier's cellular network, it all ends up the same in the end. But there are also lots of practical considerations that belie that kind of blanket statement — we may want to choose to download YouTube Music tracks over Wi-Fi, for instance, rather than running down our cellular data allotment. While limitations on how we move around data can be useful like that, we'd also rather the choice be ours, instead of one made for us. Right now, Google's updating Android Quick Share to address exactly those kind of concerns. When Nearby Share became Quick Share, it lost an occasionally useful option in the process: the ability to send files over cellular networks. Last fall, we got our first hint that Google was working to do something about this, though, as we spotted early progress towards restoring a 'use mobile data' option. And sure enough, a few months later, in February, we saw Google publish a Play Services update that announced this mobile data option was returning. If you've been wondering where that's been ever since, you're probably not a beta tester (as those users got it immediately), but now 9to5Google has noticed that the change is finally starting to hit devices at large. We can confirm that we're now seeing this on Android 15 hardware running Google Play Services 25.18.33. Stephen Schenck / Android Authority Admittedly, needing this feature was probably more of an edge case than most, and many users have been able to get by just fine even with Quick Share's limited data options. At the end of the day, though, this is the kind of choice we still want to have, and we appreciate that Google finally followed through on its work to restore this control to users' hands. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Mint
07-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Google's settlement with CCI over Android TVs: A win-win?
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) recently issued its first settlement order in relation to Google's alleged anti-competitive conduct in the Android TV ecosystem. India had allowed settlement of some competition law cases with the CCI in March 2024. Soon after, Google applied to the CCI to settle its smart TV (STV) case, in which the director general (DG) of investigation had already found evidence to suggest that Google's conduct was abusive. Within a year of the settlement application, the CCI decided to close its proceedings against Google based on a set of behavioural commitments and a settlement amount of ₹ 20.24 crore. Also Read: Why CCI matters for protecting customers from digital players The DG revealed that Google's licensing regime required STV makers to pre-install the complete bundle of Google's apps on their STVs, only two of which were found to be necessary (Android TV Play Store and Play Services). By requiring STV makers to install other apps such as YouTube and Google Assistant, Google reaped revenues not only from its 'must-have' apps, but also from others. Additionally, as a pre-condition to install its proprietary apps, Google restrained STV makers from partnering with rival operating systems or developing such systems by means of Android forks, an open-source option. This restriction applied not only to STVs, but also to other devices sold by STV makers, including smart phones and smart watches. This impeded innovation and reduced consumer choice, as STV companies were restricted to Google's ecosystem. To address these concerns, Google proposed the following commitments to settle the case with the CCI: (i) the introduction of an alternative fee-based licensing regime permitting STV manufacturers to access/ install only the two 'must-have' apps; and (ii) a waiver of the restriction that prevented STV makers from developing Android Forks or partnering with competing operating systems across their device portfolio. Three out of four CCI members found Google's settlement package effective in addressing the competition law concerns identified by the investigation. One member disagreed. His point was that Google's proposal to parallelly continue with its existing anti-competitive licensing regime may not adequately address the problem. The dissenting member has proposed a single regime free of all antitrust issues, instead of the two parallel regimes proposed by Google. Also Read: There's no arguing with the broad thrust of CCI's order on WhatsApp's use of data Although the majority view on Google's settlement proposal may pass muster on grounds of proportionality and practicality, the dissent order cannot be completely disregarded. Since the old licensing regime continues, Google may get several STV makers to opt for (and continue with) the old regime. This could render the new regime's existence a mere compliance formality and diminish the intended effect of the settlement. Effective implementation of behavioural remedies has been a challenge for antitrust authorities worldwide. Even mature jurisdictions, such as the European Union (EU), have struggled to ensure that remedies are implemented in their true spirit and achieve their intended effects. The European Commission recently conducted an 'ex-post evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of EU antitrust remedies.' It revealed that in over half of all non-cartel cases considered, there was no evidence that remedies were effective, despite implementation. The study highlighted that, unlike structural remedies, behavioural remedies were hard to monitor. Without a robust monitoring mechanism, companies may be able to exploit loopholes to delay or even bypass effective implementation of remedies. In many cases, parties could compromise the spirit of a remedy package whilst formally complying with its letter. There is no doubt that the CCI's remedy packages will also be critically evaluated for their effectiveness. However, the CCI must continue to learn from the best practices emerging from the experience of mature jurisdictions and endeavour to ensure that remedies and their monitoring mechanisms achieve their intended effects to the extent possible. The real carrot that would draw companies to opt for settlements is an opportunity to engage in constructive discussions with the CCI to arrive at remedy packages that could broadly address competition law concerns without disrupting their businesses. There is no such prospect if remedies are imposed by the Commission through contravention orders. In such cases, companies resort to litigation to challenge the commitments imposed. Also Read: Google's ad-tech dominance is easier to fix than its search monopoly Recently, for example, Meta challenged a CCI order in the WhatsApp privacy policy case, claiming that the behavioural commitments imposed by it would lead to a potential collapse of its business model. Indeed, even Google has in the past contested remedies imposed by the CCI in other cases related to its search engine, Android smartphone ecosystem and Google Play Store. The CCI also benefits from settlements. It frees up its limited resources and helps attain procedural efficiency. Since settlement orders cannot be appealed, there seems no better way of bringing finality to CCI orders. A large part of the penalties can be recovered as settlement amounts. This mechanism may also prove crucial for timely redressal of anti-competitive concerns in digital markets, as India's digital competition law is still far from seeing the light of day. The authors are competition lawyers.
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Google settles India's antitrust probe in Android TV case
India's competition regulator said on Monday it has approved the settlement proposal of Alphabet's Google in the Android TV case, under which it had charged the company over anticompetitive practices. The Competition Commission of India had said the U.S. tech giant abused its Android operating system's position in the smart television market in the country. India is one of Google 's key markets. CCI had alleged Google engaged in anti-competitive practices by creating barriers for firms wanting to use or develop modified versions of Android for smart TVs. Google then filed a settlement application in which it proposed a standalone license for its Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in the country instead of bundling the services.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Google settles India's antitrust probe in Android TV case
India's competition regulator said on Monday it has approved the settlement proposal of Alphabet's Google in the Android TV case, under which it had charged the company over anticompetitive practices. The Competition Commission of India had said the U.S. tech giant abused its Android operating system's position in the smart television market in the country. India is one of Google's key markets. CCI had alleged Google engaged in anti-competitive practices by creating barriers for firms wanting to use or develop modified versions of Android for smart TVs. Google then filed a settlement application in which it proposed a standalone license for its Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in the country instead of bundling the services. CCI also approved a final amount of 202.4 million rupees ($2.38 million) that Google will pay as part of the settlement.
Mint
21-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Google settles antitrust case with CCI over smart TV practices, to pay ₹20 crore
New Delhi: Google has become the first company to utilize India's newly-enacted settlement framework, receiving a settlement order to pay ₹ 20 crore to resolve an antitrust investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) into allegations of its anti-competitive behaviour in the smart TV market, the watchdog said in a statement. The resolution marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape and compels the tech giant to unbundle its Play Store and Play Services on Android TVs in the country. Mint was the first to report on 2 October 2024 that Google offered to settle the antitrust case after an investigation found the technology giant's agreements with smart TV makers violated provisions of India's competition law, making it the first company to invoke the brand-new settlement route enacted in 2023. As per the settlement deal, Google will have to pay a settlement amount of ₹ 20 crore, after a 15% discount that comes with the scheme. Queries emailed to Google on Monday seeking comments for the story remained unanswered till press time. CCI's move to settle the case with Google comes at a time its EU counterpart is reportedly contemplating action against Big Tech if EU's trade talks with the US, after President Trump's sweeping tariffs, fails. The gist of the allegation against Google LLC, Google India Private Limited and two others was that Google misused its dominant position by enforcing restrictive agreements on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including compulsory bundling of the Play Store with Android TV operating system and preventing the use or creation of rival forked Android versions through its Anti-Fragmentation Agreements. CCI said in a statement on Monday that its investigation had found that Google's agreements—Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA) and Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC)—executed together, allegedly imposed unfair terms by requiring the pre-installation of its full app bundle Google TV Services, preventing television makers from developing or using Android forks, and hindering innovation. The regulator said it had invited objections and suggestions from 45 parties on Google's settlement application. 'The Commission considered the settlement proposal and observed that under the 'New India Agreement,' Google will provide a standalone license for the Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in India, thereby removing the requirement to bundle these services or impose default placement conditions,' CCI said. 'By waiving the need for a valid ACC for devices shipped into India that do not include Google apps, OEMs can now sell and develop incompatible Android devices without violating the TADA,' CCI said. The competition watchdog said that considering the material on record, an assessment of the settlement proposal as well as the nature, gravity, and impact of the alleged contraventions, it agreed to the settlement proposal. 'The final settlement amount, after applying a settlement discount of 15%, is ₹ 20.24 crore,' CCI said. First Published: 21 Apr 2025, 11:33 PM IST
