4 ms·

In other words, consumers really like Google Apps, and the alternative apps are not desirable. What can Google do about that?

gambiting 11y ago
Give away their apps for free without any agreements, apparently. It's like trying to force Tesla to give everyone their motors, because customers want Tesla motors but can't get them without buying a product from Tesla - therefore Tesla should be forced to let other other companies build cars with their motors /s.
- NetStrikeForce 11y ago
  People liked IE. Not everyone and not forever, but people really liked it. We all know how did that end. As an Android user, I couldn't give less fucks about G+, Hangouts, Music, Books, Sheets, Docs and probably some other me-too product launched by Google and still I have them installed in my phone and Google keeps trying to shove them down my throat. I don't need any of these for the Play store to work, that is the only place I can install software from unless I downgrade my phone's security, but apparently you imply I do. Also, Tesla is not a de-facto monopoly on several European markets, which is the problem here. If Apple or Microsoft had >80% of the market and provided the OS needed by every manufacturer (but two), then they could face similar issues.
  - soylentcola 11y ago
    I'm curious how you'd be downgrading your phone's security by installing software from a different app store or repository (or even just directly downloading it from the developer and installing it). The way I look at it, the base Android OS is free to port to whatever you want/can but to get some commercial Google products like the Play Store and some of their apps, you need to follow some other terms that allow them to make money from these commercial offerings. Either way, I find it much easier to run a Google-less Android than an Apple-less iOS and somewhat easier than a MS-less Windows. The fact that I don't have to "jailbreak" or otherwise exploit security holes to install software from other sources than the OS maker is a big reason I tend to use Android on mobile devices.
    - NetStrikeForce 11y ago
      > I'm curious how you'd be downgrading your phone's security by installing software from a different app store or repository (or even just directly downloading it from the developer and installing it). I have to enable "install software from other sources", which opens the door to ANY source other than the Play store. I've got the Amazon App Store on my phone too, and for that to work I have to permit installation from any source. That's downgrading my phone's security. > Either way, I find it much easier to run a Google-less Android than an Apple-less iOS and somewhat easier than a MS-less Windows. The fact that I don't have to "jailbreak" or otherwise exploit security holes to install software from other sources than the OS maker is a big reason I tend to use Android on mobile devices. That is true. The difference is most probably the market share and how the OS is licensed to hardware OEMs (iOS is not licensed - Windows Phone I've no idea).
      - tdkl 11y ago
        > I have to enable "install software from other sources", which opens the door to ANY source other than the Play store. You still have to click the .apk and install it. Same as clicking an .exe and installing it on Windows. Why would a "Store" made by Joe Random be more secure then downloading an .apk and installing it ?
        ocdtrekkie 11y ago
        Amazon is not "Joe Random".
        deleted 11y ago
        [deleted]
  - icebraining 11y ago
    In which European markets does Android have a de-facto monopoly?
    - NetStrikeForce 11y ago
      Markets where most teenagers and families can't afford to buy multiple 500EUR phones and have to settle for something cheaper (where Android ate the whole market). These markets also happen to be the ones where, for the same economic reasons, people need a non-walled garden so they can pirate apps and games. Cold numbers: http://www.statista.com/statistics/260419/market-share-held-by-smartphone-operating-systems-in-spain/ http://www.statista.com/statistics/260419/market-share-held-...
      - icebraining 11y ago
        So what you're saying is that we should punish Google because they're the only ones who produce a product the poor can afford?
        NetStrikeForce 11y ago
        I'm not sure if you're trolling me now, but either way your logic is flawed.

gambiting 11y ago

Give away their apps for free without any agreements, apparently. It's like trying to force Tesla to give everyone their motors, because customers want Tesla motors but can't get them without buying a product from Tesla - therefore Tesla should be forced to let other other companies build cars with their motors /s.

NetStrikeForce 11y ago
People liked IE. Not everyone and not forever, but people really liked it. We all know how did that end. As an Android user, I couldn't give less fucks about G+, Hangouts, Music, Books, Sheets, Docs and probably some other me-too product launched by Google and still I have them installed in my phone and Google keeps trying to shove them down my throat. I don't need any of these for the Play store to work, that is the only place I can install software from unless I downgrade my phone's security, but apparently you imply I do. Also, Tesla is not a de-facto monopoly on several European markets, which is the problem here. If Apple or Microsoft had >80% of the market and provided the OS needed by every manufacturer (but two), then they could face similar issues.
- soylentcola 11y ago
  I'm curious how you'd be downgrading your phone's security by installing software from a different app store or repository (or even just directly downloading it from the developer and installing it). The way I look at it, the base Android OS is free to port to whatever you want/can but to get some commercial Google products like the Play Store and some of their apps, you need to follow some other terms that allow them to make money from these commercial offerings. Either way, I find it much easier to run a Google-less Android than an Apple-less iOS and somewhat easier than a MS-less Windows. The fact that I don't have to "jailbreak" or otherwise exploit security holes to install software from other sources than the OS maker is a big reason I tend to use Android on mobile devices.
  - NetStrikeForce 11y ago
    > I'm curious how you'd be downgrading your phone's security by installing software from a different app store or repository (or even just directly downloading it from the developer and installing it). I have to enable "install software from other sources", which opens the door to ANY source other than the Play store. I've got the Amazon App Store on my phone too, and for that to work I have to permit installation from any source. That's downgrading my phone's security. > Either way, I find it much easier to run a Google-less Android than an Apple-less iOS and somewhat easier than a MS-less Windows. The fact that I don't have to "jailbreak" or otherwise exploit security holes to install software from other sources than the OS maker is a big reason I tend to use Android on mobile devices. That is true. The difference is most probably the market share and how the OS is licensed to hardware OEMs (iOS is not licensed - Windows Phone I've no idea).
    - tdkl 11y ago
      > I have to enable "install software from other sources", which opens the door to ANY source other than the Play store. You still have to click the .apk and install it. Same as clicking an .exe and installing it on Windows. Why would a "Store" made by Joe Random be more secure then downloading an .apk and installing it ?
      - ocdtrekkie 11y ago
        Amazon is not "Joe Random".
        deleted 11y ago
        [deleted]
- icebraining 11y ago
  In which European markets does Android have a de-facto monopoly?
  - NetStrikeForce 11y ago
    Markets where most teenagers and families can't afford to buy multiple 500EUR phones and have to settle for something cheaper (where Android ate the whole market). These markets also happen to be the ones where, for the same economic reasons, people need a non-walled garden so they can pirate apps and games. Cold numbers: http://www.statista.com/statistics/260419/market-share-held-by-smartphone-operating-systems-in-spain/ http://www.statista.com/statistics/260419/market-share-held-...
    - icebraining 11y ago
      So what you're saying is that we should punish Google because they're the only ones who produce a product the poor can afford?
      - NetStrikeForce 11y ago
        I'm not sure if you're trolling me now, but either way your logic is flawed.