India’s antitrust guidelines forced Google last month to announce a series of changes to Android in that country that reduced its weight within the operating system. Now we have more details about how unrecognizable android can be in India, compared to what is found in other countries.
By the hand of the lessor Kuba Wojciechowski we get details on the new India-exclusive mobile app distribution deal that is much more flexible than the one active elsewhere. To start, only the installation of Google Play and Google services is required
Android with less Google, in India
Android is an open source operating system, but the version that usually reaches us has great influence from Googlewhich dictates to mobile phone manufacturers what requirements their built in terms of functionality, compatibility and pre-installed apps.
Last month, Google announced that it would switch to Android in India. following an antitrust ruling. Among the changes announced were the choice of the default search engine (the same as in the European Union), external billing to Google Play for all applications and the facilitation of the creation of forks the android.
Now we find out the extent of these changes thanks to a leak detailing how different Android may be in India. According to this leak, manufacturers will be able to choose between maintaining the current requirements of the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (or MADA) for their Indian version. Indian version has fewer requirementsbut the device can only be sold in India.
And what changes? Basically the only Google app they will need to pre-install is Google Play, being all other optional Google apps: Chrome, Drive, Gmail, Meet, YouTube Music, Maps, Google TV, Google Search and YouTube may or may not be at the discretion of the manufacturer.
The devices launched under this agreement, in addition to being able to be marketed only in India, must continue to include Google services -logical, because we need them to use Google Play- and their users will still be able to download Google apps through Google Play.
It is also not necessary to include google search bar on the home screen, although it is proposed that Google pays a certain amount to each manufacturer to include some of their applications (with an icon on the home screen). It now remains to be seen whether in the coming months manufacturers will adopt this agreement for India or stay with the previous one.
Through | 9to5Google and Kuba Wojciechowski
