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UK Regulator: Apple's Browser Policies & Google Pact Hinder Innovation

2024-11-22

An inquiry group established by the U.K.’s antitrust authority has recently made a significant discovery. It has provisionally determined that Apple’s policies are having a negative impact on innovation in mobile phone browsers. This finding comes at a crucial time, as the Department of Justice in the U.S. has also taken action against Google's Chrome browser.

Unraveling the Impact of Apple's Browser Policies on Innovation

Background and Launch of the Market Study

Back in 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initiated a market study to examine Apple and Google's dominance in the mobile space. This included an in-depth look at their app stores and browsers. The following year, a formal antitrust probe was launched, specifically focusing on browsers and cloud gaming. The regulator had concerns that these practices could be restricting competition and harming consumers.

Over time, various aspects of Apple's policies have come under scrutiny. One of the key issues is that Apple forces competing mobile browsers in the U.K. to use its browser engine, WebKit. This limits the capabilities of these browsers and curbs their ability to differentiate. Browsers using WebKit do not have the same level of access and functionality as Apple's own Safari, which has a significant impact on competition and innovation.

Moreover, limitations on how third-party apps can leverage in-app browsing also pose a problem. This means that access to the open web from within native iOS apps is restricted, reducing the options available to app developers and users.

Findings and Apple's Response

The report notes that Apple's restrictions limit the traffic available to challenger browsers and also limit the extent to which apps can customize their users' browsing experience. This, in turn, limits competition and choice in terms of in-app browsing options.

An Apple spokesperson strongly disagreed with the findings, arguing that any changes could undermine user privacy and security. The spokesperson emphasized that Apple believes in thriving markets where innovation can flourish and that they face competition in every segment. They are concerned that the proposed interventions could hinder their ability to make unique technology.

Google's Perspective

A Google spokesperson stated that Android's openness has led to expanded choices, reduced prices, and democratized access to smartphones and apps. They will continue to engage constructively with the CMA on these matters.

Implications and the Way Forward

For now, nothing will change immediately. However, the U.K.’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which is set to come into force next year, provides an opportunity for the CMA to address these practices. The CMA is inviting further comments on its provisional findings and expects to make a final decision by March 2025.

This ongoing inquiry highlights the importance of competition in the mobile technology space and the need to ensure that innovation is not stifled. It remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved and what impact the upcoming regulations will have.

It's that special time of the year when music-streaming platforms offer users a glimpse into their listening habits. YouTube Music has taken the lead by announcing the availability of the 2024 Music Recap. This comprehensive summary provides personalized stats and an immersive experience like never before.

Dive into Your 2024 Music Journey with YouTube Music

Accessing the 2024 Music Recap

Users can easily access their 2024 Music Recap through the YouTube and YouTube Music app. A prominent banner invites them to explore, but if not, navigating to the profile and selecting the “Your Recap” option followed by “get your recap” leads them there. It's a seamless process to relive the year through music. 2: This year, YouTube Music has gone the extra mile with an updated interface. The animated cards are a visual treat, similar to those in Spotify's Wrapped feature. It showcases the platform's commitment to providing a unique and engaging experience.

Personalized Music Taste Summary

YouTube Music now offers a personalized summary of users' music taste over the past year. It goes beyond just listing top artists and songs. For instance, it might note that your listening habits were “moody” or “amped,” giving a deeper insight into your musical preferences. 2: This feature allows users to connect with their music on a more personal level, understanding how their taste has evolved throughout the year. It's a valuable addition that adds a new dimension to the music recap.

Timeline of Key Moments

The timeline highlights key moments from the year, such as “January was your top month with Charli XCX” or “March was all kinds of happy, at least musically.” It creates a chronological narrative of your musical journey. 2: This aspect makes the recap more than just a list of stats. It brings back memories and emotions associated with specific months and songs, making it a truly memorable experience.

Alter Ego Based on Top Tracks

YouTube Music assigns an alter ego based on users' top tracks and artists, like “The Hometown Hero,” “The Life of the Party,” or “The Hopeless Romantic.” It adds a fun and creative element to the recap. 2: This allows users to embrace a different side of themselves through music and share it with others. It's a unique way to express one's musical personality.

Podcast Highlights

In addition to music, the 2024 Music Recap includes podcast highlights, showing the top podcast of the year and a rundown of the top five. 2: This expands the scope of the recap and caters to podcast enthusiasts, providing them with a comprehensive look at their audio consumption.Spotify and Apple Music are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks, continuing the trend of year-end music recaps.

In June, Google made a significant announcement with the launch of the Google Developer Program. This free program aimed to provide developers with access to a plethora of resources designed to assist them in building applications using Google services. Now, with "millions" of developers having signed up, as reported by Google, the company has introduced a second, paid tier to commercialize the program. On Monday, Google launched the Google Developer Program premium membership, which is a $299-per-year upgrade from the standard program. This premium membership comes with several added benefits. One-on-one consultations with Google Cloud experts are available, along with access to e-learning programs in Google's on-demand training program, Google Cloud Skills Boost. Beyond consultations and online courses, the premium membership includes $500 in annual Google Cloud credits, a certification voucher, and "bonus" Google Cloud credits for developers who pass an annual Google Cloud certification. These additional benefits are in addition to all the resources offered in the standard, free Google Developer Program, such as AI-powered documentation and coding tools, first dibs on new products, and workspaces in Google's IDX app development platform.The new offering stands out as neither of Google's major cloud rivals, Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Azure, have a similar individual dev plan. Microsoft offers paid alternatives to its free Microsoft 365 Developer Program, which is similar to the Google Developer Program, but these are mainly geared towards business users. AWS provides premium support programs, but they focus more on architectural guidance and technical assistance.Interestingly, for customers in the European Economic Region, the U.K., and Switzerland, the Google Developer Program premium membership is "restricted to business or professional use," according to the fine print. This suggests that personal use is not allowed in these countries. We have reached out to Google for clarification.Assuming one makes full use of all the benefits, the Google Developer Program premium membership could prove to be a worthwhile investment. However, some developers may be disappointed to see new features gated behind a paid tier, especially since Google gave no prior indication of planning to charge for future enhancements to the original program. In June, Google wrote in a blog post that in the coming months, the Google Developer Program will unlock new tools and resources to aid developers on their development journey, such as additional training resources and more ways to connect with the community. To access these benefits, one simply needs to sign up for the Google Developer Program.Google is presenting the Google Developer Program premium membership as a revamping of its now-defunct Cloud Innovators Plus program. This previous program offered comparable benefits at the same $299-per-year price. Notably, Cloud Innovators Plus did not include Google Cloud Skills Boost, which Google estimates is worth $299 per year on its own. In a post on Monday, Google wrote that this new offering is the next evolution of their commitment to streamlining the developer experience and represents their continued investment in the Google Developer Program as the hub of benefits and resources across their many developer products and services.Devs may have some reservations, but it seems they are also showing their support for Google with their wallets. In the company's most recent fiscal quarter (Q3 2024), Google's cloud business, which includes infrastructure and software subscriptions, grew by 35% year-over-year to $11.35 billion. Its growth exceeded that of Amazon and Microsoft's cloud divisions, both of which are significantly larger in terms of market share.