Under EU Pressure, Google Offers Android Options For Browsers
Following the changes Google made to comply with the European Commission's ruling last year, the company will start presenting new screens to Android users in Europe with an option to download search apps and browsers.
Hit with a record 4.34 billion euro fine last year for using the market power of its mobile software to block rivals in areas such as internet browsing, Alphabet unit Google was also ordered to come up with a proposal to give its rivals a fair chance.
The European Commission said Google had an unfair advantage by pre-installing its Chrome browser and Google search app on Android smartphones and notebooks.
With the changes, Android users will be presented with new screens the first time they open Google Play after receiving an upcoming update. Two screens will surface: one for search apps and another for browsers, each containing a total of five apps, including any that are already installed. Apps that are not already installed on the device will be included based on their popularity and shown in a random order.
Users can tap to install as many apps as they want. If an additional search app or browser is installed, the user will be shown an additional screen with instructions on how to set up the new app (e.g., placing app icons and widgets or setting defaults). Where a user downloads a search app from the screen, Google will also ask them whether they want to change Chrome's default search engine the next time they open Chrome.
The new options are rolling out over the next few weeks and will appear on both existing and new Android phones in Europe.
Google faces a fine up to 5 percent of Alphabet’s average daily worldwide turnover if it fails to comply with the EU order to stop anti-competitive practices.