Google’s ‘anti-competitive’ Android moves could impact Xbox, Windows 11
Google sucks. But you knew that.
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Google is being slapped with a suite of anti-trust lawsuits as part of a larger pushback in the U.S. into anti-competitive monopolistic practices by “big tech” (viaThe Verge). As part of the legal proceedings, the prosecution is outlining a range of scummy moves by everyone’s favorite data-harvesting search monopoly designed to stifle competition.
The moves range from forcing Android handset manufacturers to pre-install up tothirtyGoogle services, give them “favorable” home screen placement, while making them “impossible” to delete, which the lawsuit alleges stifles competition from other solutions. Google is also set toditch installable APKs for apps, which will make it more difficult for competing Android stores to curate and offer content, such as the Samsung Galaxy Store, Amazon app store, and the upcomingWindows 11Android integration feature.
Among the most impactful for Microsoft potentially is this new change to subscription-based services, which will, like Apple’s iOS, be banned from informing users how to sign up via the web. Services like Office,OneDrive,Xbox Game PassUltimate, and beyond, may have to give Google a 30 percent cut of in-app subscriptions, or they’ll be banned from helping users to sign up via third-party web-based means.
Later this year, streaming apps will have to offer Google in-app purchases. If they don’t, they’re disallowed from even hinting that there are other ways to subscribe outside the Play Store.Just like on iOS.pic.twitter.com/dmLg5gQCqtLater this year, streaming apps will have to offer Google in-app purchases. If they don’t, they’re disallowed from even hinting that there are other ways to subscribe outside the Play Store.Just like on iOS.pic.twitter.com/dmLg5gQCqt— Dieter Bohn (@backlon)July 8, 2021July 8, 2021
While this isn’t going to stop anyone who is determined to sign up for Xbox Game Pass, Netflix, and other similar services, it does disrupt the usual purchase flow for potential customers on Android and will impact the ability of these services to acquire users.
Apple has faced mounting pressure from regulators and the public alike over the raw deal it offers developers on its platform, facing a fruitless but ratherembarrassing lawsuitwith Epic Games over Fortnite, which is currently effectively banned from iOS devices for offering users a way to acquire in-app purchases without using the Apple Store. Microsoft also pivoted the development of an iOS native app for Xbox Game Pass to building a web app instead, because Apple’s 30 percent fee on top of the arbitrary requirement for games to be separate entities would’ve made the business there unviable.
Google has responded to the multi-state accusations in ablog post, alleging that it is “open” and fosters competitiveness. Although, the evidence offered in thelegal complaintseems to suggest otherwise. You need only search in Google (or Bing 😉) for “Google fined” to discover aplethora of instanceswhere the company has failed to appeal anti-trust allegations. They say there’s no smoke without fire, after all.
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Jez Corden is the Executive Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by tea. Follow onTwitter (X)andThreads, and listen to hisXB2 Podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!
