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by mike22223333 2791 days ago
Because when Google made Android it was allowed. Device manufacturers supported Android and PlayStore and gave up some control to Google because of the deal. Now Google is trying to back off from the deal after it has a huge network affect because of the exclusive apps, Play Services and Play Store.

Android would not have been so big if it were not an open platform. There were many other closed source OS's available ie. Windows Phone.

If Google backs off, it would be a bait and switch, and this tactic should be illegal.

Imagine if Samsung had its own OS, Apple with its own, Nokia (now with Android) and others with their own. We would not have much choice if Android were not open between phones because many of our apps would not be compatible.

iOS from the beginning was not open. It was known, so everyone knew. Android is expected to remain open because it was initially open.

TL;DR: Android would have been dead it were not an open platform. No device manufacturer should have give up control to Google, which Samsung regrets to date.
2 comments
tjoff 2791 days ago
That happens all the time. Yes it sucks but it is a legal and common tactic (I hope you don't use chrome...), but also completey irrelevant in this case. What matters in this case is probably that they allow app stores, just aptoide was targeted. That is a huge difference.
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kakarot 2791 days ago
What "control" has Samsung given Google that they regret?
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close04 2791 days ago
They gave up using any Android forks and did not push Tizen.
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mike22223333 2791 days ago
And allowing the Google Play Services and Play Store to grow so big that their own store (in case relations go wrong with Google, they have a backup) can not compete.
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candiodari 2790 days ago
They also completely underfunded the development of both Tizen and, especially, their app store. They offshored development off it to Eastern Europe as well, and even there it was less than 100 people, and not the best ones in the market (they weren't paying premium wages for Eastern Europe).

So if this is Samsung "pushing", they're truly a very sucky company.

This is lack of will on Samsung's part, not some magical market advantage on Google's part.

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