As a part of the antitrust motion in opposition to Google, the Division of Justice has proposed a treatment that might cut up Android and Chrome away from Google. It’s because Google was discovered to be abusing monopoly powers throughout the trial in August 2024.
I agree that Google abuses its energy, and extreme penalties needs to be imposed on the corporate. Google shouldn’t be your good friend or a “good man;” it is merely one other tech firm that occurs to manage the software program that powers seven of each 10 telephones on this planet. It must be saved below management. Then once more, my opinion issues the identical as yours: none. The DoJ and a choose are in command of this one.
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I additionally wish to make certain everybody understands that proper now, this holds the identical weight because the final time we heard Google was going to be damaged up. till it occurs, in any case appeals and alternate options are exhausted, it is enterprise as common.
If it does occur, you need to in all probability simply purchase an iPhone as a result of Android will wither and die.
Android loses cash
Google makes no cash straight from Android. I am not saying that having Android round is not worthwhile for Google, however the price of constructing, sustaining, internet hosting, and deploying a free smartphone working system is astronomical, and the revenue from doing it’s zero.
Google makes more cash as a result of Android exists. Android is a car for Google’s free apps and providers, that are used to construct complete commercial profiles for everybody who makes use of them. Having that sort of buyer information means Google can cost lots for advert providers and nonetheless have loads of prospects. Each title you possibly can consider advertises by way of Google, from tech objects to groceries and clothes. Google advertisements work higher than another firm’s, partially due to the billions of Android telephones used each day.
Ultimately when all of the funds are tallied, Android is a web profit for Google. Nevertheless it would not be for anybody else.
No firm that would preserve Android would need it
There are in all probability a couple of large tech firms that would preserve Android properly sufficient for it to stay aggressive. I can consider one: Microsoft.
Possibly Apple may, possibly Mozilla may, and possibly IBM or Oracle may, however Microsoft has each the event infrastructure and expertise to “management” an enormous software program challenge that’s deployed on 1000’s of various {hardware} configurations. And Microsoft would not need it.
Microsoft would a lot relatively see Android (and Chrome) go away as a result of proudly owning it will result in the identical antitrust considerations that we see from Google proudly owning it. Microsoft is aware of a factor or two about these.
I do not assume Apple may handle Android very properly as a result of it has a really completely different philosophy in terms of software program. Even when it may, Apple would additionally like to see Android die.
Some other smaller firm that might have the ambition, like Mozilla, could not afford to do it with out billions of {dollars} from Google. These {dollars} would include strings hooked up that might spur one other DoJ investigation.
Android telephone makers cannot and should not
The apparent reply, at the very least on the floor, is Samsung. That is the worst possibility of all.
Ask any software program developer who has seemed on the Tizen supply code if Samsung can preserve and develop Android. They’re going to inform you “No,” in all probability whereas laughing. Software program shouldn’t be one thing Samsung does notably properly.
Samsung is a superb telephone {hardware} maker. Misguided folks will say Samsung would not innovate, however Samsung single-handedly made Android what it’s as we speak and drives its progress as a result of the telephones it makes are so good. Being a Korean (and never Chinese language) firm helps construct some belief, however folks know the Samsung title and know their merchandise aren’t more likely to disappoint.
With regards to the software program facet of issues Samsung struggles. Android telephones operating One UI are its finest software program product and one other firm is doing 90% of the work and serving to them with the ultimate 10%. Samsung may make investments billions into hiring the appropriate folks and altering its firm tradition, but it surely will not.
Motorola or OnePlus cannot probably afford to develop and preserve Android. Chinese language telephone makers (sure, I do know Motorola is technically certainly one of them) would instantly face backlash in the event that they even tried as a result of the U.S. is extra afraid of China than it’s of monopolies.
Ultimately, Google is the corporate that should hold tending to Android whether it is to proceed to get higher. Google is “evil” now in quite a lot of methods however it is rather competent in terms of operating a software program challenge like AOSP.
If the motivation to are inclined to Android is taken away, Google in all probability will not wish to accomplish that. Google solely needs Android with Gmail, the Play Retailer, Google Play Companies, and all the opposite Google bits baked into it. Take these away, and Android will develop into a burden relatively than a chance.