Google shall no longer serve on the Operating System for Android TVs by default in India, and so it will not be the default App store on such smart TVs. A strong ruling made by India’s competition regulator made it happen.
The competition watchdog reproached Google’s parent company Alphabet for “anti-competitive practices” in the smart TV segment of India and alleged that it was trying to create a “monopoly” in the segment.
India is also one of the major markets for Google along with its being a huge consumer of pre-installed operating systems, Google Play Store, and related applications through this television app distribution agreement, as stated by the Competition Commission of India or CCI.
GOOGLE GONE FROM SMART TVs?
Two Indian antitrust lawyers filed a case against Google and Alphabet, after which the CCI ordered the investigation. The findings suggested that the global tech giant engaged in barriers that may be viewed as creating a scenario where simple firms may find it difficult to develop alternative operating systems, and even modified OSs, for Android smart TVs.
As per the competition watcher’s verdict, Google has agreed to make a settlement application wherein it proposed a separate licensing of its Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in India instead of bundling them.
The free pre-installations of Google’s Play Store and Play Services will now attract charges based on the new contract. Google has also ordered to send a letter to all its partners that sell Android TVs to India, stating that they no longer owe it to use Google’s Android OS and are free to start using any open-sourced operating system of their choice.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR CONSUMERS
Consumers preferring Google’s Android OS and Play Store will now have to verify with the respective retailers and brands as to which TVs have them preinstalled and which do not since all other operating systems and app stores are now free to partner with smart TV makers.
Not all apps are currently available in all application stores. Google Play and Amazon App Store offer the widest range of apps to TV users. Many of the bigger app developers have their sights on Apple, Google, and Amazon stores so do not have their apps geared for some of the other providers offering similar services.
Of course, the data security measures and the seamless graphical user interface command the attention of most people in preference for iOS by Apple, Android by Google, and Fire OS by Amazon. So, buyers now have to do their homework about Operating System and App Store before buying televisions.
All these brands: Hisense, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, Motorola, Nokia, Toshiba, and TCL, use Android OS and Play Store services from Google, preinstalled.
PROVIDING OPTIONS FOR TV MAKERS AND ANDROID TV PARTNERS
In addition to selecting another operating system, Android TV partners in India will also not have the obligation to incorporate any of the Google apps as default in its TVs.
Though the new agreement is primarily for smart TVs, the Competition Commission of India said it may be extended beyond just televisions. It also imposed a penalty of $2.38 million, which Google will have to pay as settlement for the case.
Probes have seen a finding by the commission stating that Google has contravened several provisions under the Competition Act of India. It also considered that Android TV dominates the licenceable market for smart TV operating systems and that Google’s Play Store holds a commanding position among app stores for such platforms.
Findings by the Leaflets: Such as TADA (television app distribution agreement) and ACC (android compatibility commitments), impose “unfair terms” such as compulsory pre-installation of Google complete app suite and limit the OEM freedom.
Eventually, Google proposed to CCI to settle the case, and CCI looking into the settlement proposal observed that under the “New India Agreement” it would provide a standalone license for Play Store and Play Services for Android smart televisions in India. This is going to remove the requirement of bundling these services or applying default placement conditions, the release said on April 21.
After applying a 15% discount on the final amount, which brought the settlement under CCI’s consideration to the tune of Rs 20.24 crore.
The Play Store and Play Services that were provided free of charge would now attract a fee under the new accord.
Google will also dispatch a letter to its partners offering Android TV in India, stating they have the liberty of enjoying a completely open-sourced operating system without any preinstallation of Google apps and that these smart TVs can be merged with other OS.
This new agreement in scope, according to the CCI, is not restricted to smart TVs.
CCI has also approved a final amount of 202.4 million rupees ($2.38 million) that Google will pay as part of the settlement.
($1 = 85.1370 Indian rupees)
For more updates follow: Latest News on NEWZZY
