Google

Google accuses Microsoft of antitrust violations in Cloud Market

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google has filed a complaint with the EU accusing Microsoft of unfair licensing practices for its Azure cloud services.
Microsoft is alleged to be making it difficult and expensive to use Windows Server and Office products on non-Azure cloud infrastructure.
This complaint comes after Microsoft settled with an industry group over similar concerns.

Google’s Complaint

Google has taken a significant step against Microsoft, accusing the tech giant of anticompetitive behavior in the cloud market. The company has filed an antitrust complaint with European Union regulators, alleging that Microsoft’s licensing terms for its Azure cloud services are unfair.

According to Google, Microsoft’s licensing practices make it difficult and expensive for customers to use Windows Server and Office products on cloud infrastructure providers other than Azure. This effectively gives Microsoft a significant advantage in the market, as customers may be discouraged from using competing cloud services.

Google’s complaint is particularly concerning given the growing importance of cloud computing in today’s digital world. As more businesses and organizations rely on cloud-based services, the market must remain competitive and fair.

Microsoft’s Response

Microsoft has responded to Google’s complaint by asserting that it has already addressed similar concerns raised by other European cloud providers. The company points to a recent settlement it reached with an industry group as evidence of its willingness to cooperate.

However, Google’s complaint suggests that Microsoft’s previous efforts to address these issues may not have been sufficient. The company’s allegations raise serious questions about the fairness of Microsoft’s practices and their potential impact on the cloud market.

Ongoing Scrutiny

In addition to Google’s complaint, Microsoft is facing antitrust scrutiny in other regions as well. The UK’s competition watchdog is investigating Microsoft’s and Amazon’s cloud licensing practices, while the Federal Trade Commission in the United States is examining the AI investments of these companies and their links to cloud services.

The growing scrutiny of Microsoft’s cloud practices highlights the importance of ensuring a level playing field in this rapidly evolving market. As the demand for cloud-based services continues to grow, consumers and businesses must have access to a variety of options from competitive providers.

Google

Gemini gets a simpler look, Chrome gets a themed navigation bar, and Google TV blocks screenshot

Published

1 hour ago

September 26, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Gemini’s new look: Google has simplified the Gemini app’s home screen on Android to make it more like the web version.
Chrome’s themed navigation: The navigation bar in Chrome for Android now matches the color of the active tab, creating a more immersive experience.
Blocked screenshots on Google TV: Google TV has disabled the ability to take screenshots using remapped remote buttons, likely to prevent unauthorized use.

Gemini’s New, Cleaner Look

Google has recently updated the Gemini app on Android to give it a cleaner and more streamlined look. The home screen now features a simpler layout with a text field and four buttons for typing, talking, sharing photos, and accessing Gemini Live. This update brings the Gemini app closer to its web counterpart, offering a more consistent experience across different platforms.

Chrome’s Themed Navigation Bar

In another update, Google Chrome for Android has introduced a new feature that themes the navigation bar to match the color of the active tab. This change creates a more immersive browsing experience by visually connecting the navigation bar to the content on the screen. While the navigation bar is not fully transparent, it blends in more seamlessly with the page’s design, especially when using tab groups.

Google TV Blocks Screenshot Functionality

One unexpected change in Google TV is the blocking of screenshot functionality using remapped remote buttons. While this might not be a feature you use frequently, it was a convenient option for those who wanted to capture screenshots quickly. Google has likely disabled this feature to prevent unauthorized use or to simplify the user experience.

Overall, these updates reflect Google’s ongoing efforts to improve the user experience and streamline its products. The simplified Gemini home screen, themed navigation bar in Chrome, and blocked screenshot functionality are all steps towards creating a more intuitive and efficient user interface.

Source/Via/Via

Google

Google limits new accounts in Russia, Qualcomm’s next chip renamed

Published

1 hour ago

September 26, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google is reportedly blocking new account creations for Russian users.
Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship chip will be called “Snapdragon 8 Elite” instead of “Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.”
This new chip will feature powerful new cores for better performance.

Google’s Growing Tension with Russia

The relationship between Google and Russia has been strained for years. Russia has criticized Google for removing content it considers illegal, often related to opponents of the government. Tensions escalated after the conflict with Ukraine, with Google blocking ads and demonetizing content related to the war. Now, Russia’s digital ministry claims Google is restricting new account creation and limiting SMS-based two-factor authentication for Russian users.

Qualcomm Introduces “Snapdragon 8 Elite”

Meanwhile, Qualcomm is set to unveil its latest flagship chip. Instead of the expected “Snapdragon 8 Gen 4,” the chip will be called “Snapdragon 8 Elite.” This new name reflects the chip’s powerful performance, thanks to its new “Oryon” cores. The chip is expected to be used in upcoming flagship smartphones from major brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Samsung.

Conclusion

Google’s actions in Russia are a sign of the growing digital divide between the West and Russia. Qualcomm’s new chip, “Snapdragon 8 Elite,” promises to bring significant performance improvements to Android smartphones. As technology continues to evolve, the geopolitical landscape is also changing, affecting how we use and access technology.

Source/Via

Android

Google pauses Wear OS 5 rollout after bricking issues

Published

1 hour ago

September 26, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google has temporarily stopped the rollout of Wear OS 5 due to reports of bricked Pixel Watches.
The update caused some Pixel Watch users to experience software issues that rendered their devices unusable.
Google is likely working to fix the problem before resuming the update process.

Google has decided to pause the rollout of Wear OS 5 for Pixel Watches after several users reported that the update caused their devices to become bricked. This means that their watches could not function properly and required a factory reset to be restored.

While the exact cause of the issue is still being investigated, it seems that the update contained a bug that affected many Pixel Watch users. Google has not released an official statement about the problem, but it appears that they have temporarily halted the update’s rollout to prevent further issues.

If you have a Pixel Watch and haven’t already updated to Wear OS 5, it’s probably best to wait until Google has resolved the issue and resumed the rollout. In the meantime, you can continue to use your watch as normal.

It’s unclear when Google will resume the rollout of Wear OS 5. However, they are likely working hard to fix the problem and ensure that the update is safe and reliable for all Pixel Watch users.

Note: If you have already updated to Wear OS 5 and are experiencing issues, you may need to factory reset your watch to restore it to its original state. Be sure to back up any important data before performing a factory reset.