UK Confirms Antitrust Probe Into Android-iOS 'Mobile Duopoly' (techcrunch.com) 36
The UK's antitrust watchdog has moved to deepen its scrutiny of the Apple and Google mobile duopoly -- kicking off an in-depth investigation into elements of the pair's mobile ecosystem dominance by probing their approach toward rival mobile browsers and cloud gaming services which it's concerned could be restricting competition and harming consumers. From a report: The move follows a market study conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year that led to a final report this summer which concluded there are substantial competition concerns -- with the regulator finding the tech giants have what it described as "an effective duopoly on mobile ecosystems that allows them to exercise a stranglehold over operating systems, app stores and web browsers on mobile devices."
At the same time, the CMA proposed to undertake what's known as a market investigation reference (MIR) with two points of focus: One looking at Apple's and Google's market power in mobile browsers; and another probing Apple's restrictions on cloud gaming through its App Store. That proposal for an MIR kicked off a standard consultation process, with the regulator seeking feedback on the scope of its proposed probe, and today it's confirmed the decision to make a market investigation -- opening what's referred to as a 'Phase 2' (in-depth) investigation which could take up to 18 months to complete. The probe will focus on the supply of mobile browsers and browser engines; and the distribution of cloud gaming services through app stores on mobile devices, the CMA said today.
At the same time, the CMA proposed to undertake what's known as a market investigation reference (MIR) with two points of focus: One looking at Apple's and Google's market power in mobile browsers; and another probing Apple's restrictions on cloud gaming through its App Store. That proposal for an MIR kicked off a standard consultation process, with the regulator seeking feedback on the scope of its proposed probe, and today it's confirmed the decision to make a market investigation -- opening what's referred to as a 'Phase 2' (in-depth) investigation which could take up to 18 months to complete. The probe will focus on the supply of mobile browsers and browser engines; and the distribution of cloud gaming services through app stores on mobile devices, the CMA said today.
Android restricts neither (Score:3)
Android allows you to install any browser you want and set it as default, and allows manufacturers to do the same. See Samsung which ships their own Samsung Internet on their phones.
Unlike iOS which forces the Safari rendering engine on everyone, even if they pretend to allow other browsers.
Re: (Score:1)
But they play games to push users into their preferred browser, such as making cross-app browser launching smoother if you use the Sanctioned Brand.
Re:Android restricts neither (Score:4, Informative)
I use Firefox on Android as my primary browser and I don't have any trouble with it at all.
Re: (Score:1)
It might be app-specific. Some apps use the default browser without asking, others pop a prompt-list of which browser to use.
Page-One Rewrite of Monopoly Law? (Score:2)
Kind of interesting FP branch, though it doesn't seem to be going much of anywhere.
To me the critical question should be choice, as in "What options do the customer's have?" From that perspective I would agree with the FP and most of the comments that argue for Android offering more choice than iOS, but I still see a kind of choice bottleneck at the top. As things stand now, you only have three options: Android, iOS, or null. Since I think more freedom is good, I'd like to see around five choices at each de
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
Well, okay, by itself it's not evidence against Google. But Google may encourage app dev's to use the default in various ways, and/or list their choice first if it's an OS call. (I don't have any evidence of such to present.)
Re: (Score:2)
I use Firefox on Android as my primary browser and I don't have any trouble with it at all.
Me too, but whenever I get a new phone I end up being reminded that I need to change a few settings to prevent certain Google applications from attempting to use Chrome rather than Firefox (which is my default browser). Sure it's easy to get around but it's an example of a few dirty tricks.
Firefox for Android with uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger makes for a much better mobile browsing experience.
Re: (Score:2)
See, personally I'm just fine with Google adding a few extra taps by the user. There are a lot (like A LOT) of people that should just use Google's defaults and not try to do anything extra like change the web browser or side load apps. Frankly, IMO, if a person can't figure out how to do those things as the preferences setting are now, then that person probably shouldn't be doing it at all (which again, is A LOT of people).
Re: (Score:2)
I frankly have no idea what you are talking about.
Whatever you set as your default browser in Android is the default for all apps. It even replaces the embedded viewer (custom tabs) that many apps have. Android's API allows that to happen. Android's custom tabs are not always delivered by Chrome, they are delivered by the default installed browser.
Re: Android restricts neither (Score:1)
Re: Android restricts neither (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Android allows you to install any browser you want and set it as default, and allows manufacturers to do the same. See Samsung which ships their own Samsung Internet on their phones.
Unlike iOS which forces the Safari rendering engine on everyone, even if they pretend to allow other browsers.
Just like Windows 95 allowed installing any browser besides IE, but it was sort of hard for the average user, and very few people actually did that. It was theoretically possible to do something other than what Microsoft wanted you to do, but the practical hurdles meant that Microsoft got its way.
Similarly, it's theoretically possible to install (sideload or through the store) whatever you want, but Google mostly gets users to use what Google wants. That's why Chrome usage on Android is close to 90% of us
Re: Android restricts neither (Score:2)
Er... this isn't comparable at all.
You don't need to sideload other browsers on Android. They just install, and completely replace Chrome. Which you can then totally disable and often outright uninstall. Some Android flavors don't even ship Chrome.
Re: (Score:2)
Windows 95 was the last version of Windows to not ship with a browser. Microsoft, however, gave away IE back in those days whereas other browsers such as Netscape and Opera were still something you had to purchase (or pirate), which is one of the ways they got their foot in the door. For a long while, you could just download and install the browser of your choice and with a couple of clicks it was now the default browser on Windows for you. The downside to that was drive-by installs (*cough*Chrome*cough*
The Problem is Driver Documentation (Score:1)
Effect? (Score:2)
Now that the UK is on its own and not part of the EU, how much effect will this have? These two are unlikely to make major changes just to satisfy the UK market. The regulator is in danger of upsetting a lot of consumers too.
Re: (Score:1)
Hint: not everything is about Brexit.
Re: (Score:2)
Damn! I was waiting for someone to try and make this about Brexit.
Hint: not everything is about Brexit.
But Brexit is about Everything. . .
Re: (Score:2)
That didn't stop South Korea and the Netherlands from pursuing anti-trust action against Apple and Google, and in both cases achieving some amount of change. Consumers weren't upset in either case. The more individual countries pile on, the more likely real positive change will occur.
Re: (Score:2)
The Netherlands is in the EU.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Because rules are harmonised over the whole EU, when one member state makes a ruling on this kind of thing it is very likely that it is applicable in all other member states. If the company doesn't make changes for the whole EU, those other states at least have an indication that they can bring similar charges.
It's also possible that the case will be escalated to the European Court, which means it will apply everywhere.
Apple/Google to subsidize Raspberry Pi Phone (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Both Apple & Google could make a start by allowing users root access to their devices, then consumers can choose which operating system they want, e.g. a journalist, lawyer, executive, or politician who may need something more private & secure can install an appropriate OS to meet those needs.
As someone else has already mentioned, having device hardware driver info publicly available would also help cultivate more competitive markets & more options for consumers.
G
Re: (Score:2)
Don't you mean PinePhone?
No, I meant to make a joke. :-)
No alternative (Score:2)
android and iOS are de-facto THE ONLY mobile platforms out there. It may be a duopoly but it's a very natural one because there's hardly anyone else to compete for the market in the first place.
Re: (Score:2)
android and iOS are de-facto THE ONLY mobile platforms out there. It may be a duopoly but it's a very natural one because there's hardly anyone else to compete for the market in the first place.
That's what I was thinking.
There have been several other attempts, the most well-heeled of which was the Microsoft-Nokia venture. None of them have survived.
Why? Consumers Voted with their Feet!
And what if another Platform does achieve success? Do Nanny-States start whining about a Triopoly? Why not???
Let. The. People. Decide.
Oh, wait; they already have!
What's their goal here? (Score:2)
Sue Microsoft for being unable to become a third option for smartphones?
Re: (Score:1)
Sue Microsoft for being unable to become a third option for smartphones?
Actually this sound like MS ordered the investigation.
Lets kill the ecosystems that work :-( (Score:2)
What is the most market share a company can have before they are considered too big by regulators? Are they actually helping consumers?
We have a duopoly that actually works for most people. The large installed bases of the two largest software platforms guarantee interoperability for users and reduce the number of platforms developers have to consider supporting. I'm trying to understand how I as an average person am going to profit from there being 10 different incompatible platforms. Yup, I like havin
Get your PIneApple Distro (Score:2)
Ported Raspberry PI OS onto older iPhones
UK needs money (Score:2)
But the UK is falling to pieces and needs money. If they do this right, they can make rens of billions of pounds. So this is nothing but an opportunistic fund raiser. It's an attempt to save whats left of the post collapse empire.
Apple and Google should just pack up and leave England. Block everything Goigle and Apple from working there and Sue them for hate crimes over Brexit.