Google lets smartphone manufacturers in Europe pay for Google apps

By admin On Oct 16, 2018

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Smartphone manufacturers who sell their devices in Europe will now have to pay for the use of apps such as the Google Play Store. Google is introducing this measure because of the billions in fine it received for abuse of power with Android.

Google presents a number of measures it claims to meet the complaints of the European Commission. Google says that “Android partners” will now be able to release other devices in Europe with other Android versions or forks, which do not include the Google apps.

Google also gives manufacturers the option to purchase Google apps separately, without the Google Search app and the Chrome browser. All manufacturers will have to pay for the use of Google apps on devices that they release in the European Economic Area. Search and Chrome will continue to be available for free to manufacturers through a different license, without the bundling with the Google apps.

The new license terms will come into effect on October 29. Google does not disclose details about the prices manufacturers must pay for using the Google apps. The search giant says it will work with manufacturers in the near future to make the transition to the new agreements.

If there are manufacturers who don’t want to pay to use Google apps such as the Play Store, Gmail and Maps, that could mean that more smartphones are entering the market in Europe with services from competitors.

Google’s measures are in response to the €4.3 billion fine imposed by the European Commission in July for abuse of power with Android. The Commission ruled that Google is breaking the law and hindering competition by requiring manufacturers to install the Search app and Chrome browser on devices if they also want to use other Google services such as the Play Store. Google would also have prevented manufacturers from developing their own Android forks.

Last week, Google appealed against the fine imposed by the European Commission. The Android maker says it will make the adjustments pending the outcome of the appeal.