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The article reports on the decision of General Motors Co. (GM) to cease providing support for the CarPlay infotainment hub of technology company Apple Inc. in order to bolster its in-house Ultifi software platform. It cites the advantages of the Ultifi over CarPlay and the problems encountered by GM car drivers with CarPlay. Focus is given on the efforts of GM to refine its software and digital services as Apple uses CarPlay to distribute iOS.

Long story short, Apple bundles in all sorts of stuff into its twice-annual updates while Google breaks numerous system-level pieces out into standalone apps and updates 'em numerous times a month in a way that reaches all devices more or less instantly and indefinitely. Heck, back at the start of the Pixel journey, Google's phones and all other Android devices came with only a two-year operating system upgrade promise. Google's freshly revealed Pixel phones have plenty of good things goin' for 'em - but don't let all the shiny surfaces, camera smarts, and AI additions fool ya. [Extracted from the article]

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Google is leading a funding round for Indian mobile content provider Glance, with the goal of expanding the startup's reach. The funding round is expected to raise up to $250 million and is still in the negotiation phase. Google's investment in Glance reflects its efforts to compete with other tech giants like Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Amazon in India's growing market. Glance offers a curated screensaver for mobile devices and has over 300 million users worldwide. The startup previously received funding from Google in 2020 and a $200 million investment from Mukesh Ambani in 2022. [Extracted from the article]

Apple Inc. is seeking to modify a Chinese court's written ruling in a lawsuit it won, specifically requesting the removal of references to its "dominant position" and objections to a phrase suggesting "unfair pricing may hurt consumers." This move by Apple reflects its delicate position in China, where it competes with Huawei Technologies Co. and other high-end smartphone makers. The ruling pertains to the fee that Apple and its rivals charge developers for hosting their apps on the store, which is higher in China compared to the rest of the world. Apple is defending its fees in multiple jurisdictions, arguing that they are justified by the security and peace of mind provided to users. [Extracted from the article]

Google DeepMind, the AI research lab, has shifted its focus from research to developing AI products. This move comes after OpenAI released a new version of its chatbot, ChatGPT, which uses a technology called a transformer that was first described by Google in 2017. Google's own AI product, AI Overviews, faced some initial issues with embarrassing suggestions, but the company has implemented new measures to prevent such incidents. The merger of Google Brain and DeepMind into Google DeepMind aims to improve Google's commercial AI products while maintaining its strength in foundational research, although some researchers have expressed frustration with the new structure. [Extracted from the article]

Google is enhancing the security features of its upcoming Android 15 operating system, aiming to protect users against theft, fraud, scams, and other attacks. The new version will include a private space for securing sensitive information and the ability to remotely lock devices, even if they are offline. This move by Google is seen as an attempt to close the security gap with Apple, which has made privacy and security a selling point for its iPhones. In addition to discussing Android 15, Google also highlighted the growth of its ecosystem, including increases in users for Wear OS, Android TV, and Android Auto. The company also teased the return of augmented-reality glasses and announced Project Astra, an AI agent that can answer questions about the surrounding environment using a smartphone camera. [Extracted from the article]

Google has rebranded its chatbot, Bard, as Gemini and introduced a new subscription plan that allows users to access its most advanced artificial intelligence model, the Ultra 1.0. The Ultra model is designed for complex tasks such as coding and logical reasoning. By offering both free and paid versions of its chatbot, Google is competing with OpenAI, which charges a monthly fee for its premium version of ChatGPT. Gemini will be available through a special app on Android and within the Google app on iPhones. [Extracted from the article]

Google has suffered a setback in its fight against a €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion) fine imposed by the European Union (EU) for favoring its own shopping services. An adviser to the EU's top court has recommended that Google's appeal be dismissed, stating that the company used its dominant position in the market to promote its own comparison shopping service. The EU's top court often follows such advice in its final rulings. This fine was part of a series of EU decisions that resulted in €8.3 billion in total fines for Google. Google has stated that it will review the opinion and continue to work constructively with the European Commission. [Extracted from the article]

In particular, Google has kept control of the Android ecosystem by imposing anti-forking clauses on OEMs to prevent them from developing or distributing Android forks.[10] Moreover, Google has entered into revenue-sharing agreements provided Google Search is the default search engine. THE COMPLAINT FILED BY THE U.S. Department of Justice against Google on October 20, 2020, represents a new chapter in U.S. antitrust enforcement in technology markets. Google was already dominant in the market for its Android app store, and given that rival search engines could not survive through other distribution channels, the Commission concluded that this granted Google a significant competitive advantage. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi - an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly. Alphabet Inc. will begin production in India of its Pixel 8 smartphones in time for sales in 2024, the company announced at its Google for India annual tech event. Outside of US device makers, Samsung Electronics Co. also manufactures its Galaxy handsets in India and Chinese Android vendors have set up partnerships with local assemblers. [Extracted from the article]

A Google spokesperson didn't comment beyond referring to a previous blog post in which the company said that the EU's complaint doesn't "recognize how advanced advertising technology helps merchants reach customers and grow their businesses." (Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc.'s Google has vowed to fight the European Union's threat to break up its ad business, setting the scene for an antitrust battle that could eventually rival its ongoing clash with the US Justice Department and state attorneys general. [Extracted from the article]

Google's Pichai Decried Bad "Optics" of Search Engine Deal With Apple Joan Braddi, Google's vice president for product partnerships and the key negotiator of the Apple agreement, was one one of the executives copied on Pichai's emails. Braddi negotiated Google's original 2002 deal with Apple to make its search engine the default on the Mac's Safari browser. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella has a stark warning for a federal court and the tech industry: Google is likely to extend its dominance of the search market into a new generation of artificial intelligence-powered tools. Under questioning from a Google lawyer, Nadella agreed that Microsoft in 2007 estimated it had half as many search engineers as Google, and was three to five years away from producing a broadly competitive product. [Extracted from the article]

When Microsoft introduced its new Bing AI-based search in February, beating Google to the punch, Nadella touted the technology as a way for Bing to get back in the market and make Google uncomfortable. (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said artificial intelligence could help Google extend its dominance of the search market, as he took the stand Monday in the Google antitrust trial. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said that the notion that users have choice in the search market is "bogus", as he took the stand Monday in the Google antitrust trial. Microsoft's Nadella Calls Search Choice "Bogus" in Google Trial Tinter also told the court that Microsoft's Surface Duo smartphone was required to use Google search in order to license the Android mobile operating system and was limited from using Bing on its own devices. [Extracted from the article]

Tinter also told the court that Microsoft's Surface Duo smartphone was required to use Google search in order to license the Android mobile operating system and was limited from using Bing on its own devices. (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella is set to take the stand Monday as part of the Justice Department's antitrust trial against Google. Nadella was instrumental in the development of Bing, created by Microsoft in an ultimately doomed attempt to catch up with Google and capture a chunk of the online advertising market. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information related to tracking and checking Google privacy. Topics being presented include helpful tips and tricks for computer users on how to limit tracking and still use the apps they love as well as a study which depicts that an Android phone communicated location information to Google hundreds of times during a 24-hour period with the Chrome browser merely active in the background.

(Bloomberg) -- The European Union's legal team hit back at Google's fight to strike out a €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion) fine for unfairly favoring its own shopping services - telling judges at the bloc's top court that the case largely boils down to whom they should trust more. Google Accuses EU of Overreach With €2.4 Billion Shopping Service Abuse Fine The Alphabet Inc. unit is appealing a 2021 ruling by the EU's lower tribunal that backed the European Commission's decision that the firm violated antitrust rules by favoring its own shopping service over those of its rivals. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Companies choose Alphabet Inc.'s Google as the default search engine for their browsers and smartphones because it is the best one, and not because of a lack of competition, a Google lawyer said Tuesday at the start of a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington. Earlier, a Justice Department lawyer said Google pays more than $10 billion a year to maintain its position as the default search engine on web browsers and mobile devices, stifling competition. [Extracted from the article]

"This case is about the future of the internet and whether Google's search engine will ever face meaningful competition", Kenneth Dintzer, a government lawyer, said in his opening statement. (Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc.'s Google pays more than $10 billion a year to maintain its position as the default search engine on web browsers and mobile devices, stifling competition, the US Justice Department said Tuesday at the start of a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc.'s Google pays more than $10 billion a year to maintain its position as the default search engine on web browsers and mobile devices, stifling competition, the US Justice Department said Tuesday at the start of a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington. "This case is about the future of the internet and whether Google's search engine will ever face meaningful competition", Kenneth Dintzer, a government lawyer, said in his opening statement. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc.'s Google is set to appoint a manufacturing and policy veteran as its top government affairs executive in India to tackle legal challenges and expand hardware assembly to the country. Sreenivasa Reddy, currently a senior engineering executive at Microsoft Corp., is likely to join Google toward the end of this year, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft currently holds a dominant position in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), thanks to its partnership with OpenAI and the success of its genAI tool, ChatGPT. However, a potential deal between Google and Apple to embed Google's genAI tool, Gemini, into iPhones could threaten Microsoft's AI dominance. If the deal goes through, Google would have a monopoly on AI in mobile devices, potentially surpassing Microsoft and OpenAI in terms of user base and data training. Despite this, Microsoft is actively working to extend its lead in AI by hiring top AI talent, releasing improved versions of ChatGPT and Copilot, and monetizing its AI offerings. The outcome of potential antitrust investigations and lawsuits against all three companies, as well as the involvement of government regulators, could ultimately determine which company will dominate AI in the future. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Google was accused of abusing its dominance over advertising technology to crush competition as the European Union fired off an antitrust charge sheet that threatens a breakup of parts of the lucrative business, kicking off a process that could take years to resolve. Crucially, the European Commission said that a potential order for Google to implement behavioral remedies may not be sufficient in correcting the abusive conduct, opening the door for a potential order against Google to break up its ad tech business from its core services. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Google was accused of abusing its dominance over advertising technology to crush competition, as the European Union fired off an antitrust charge sheet that strikes at the heart of the US firm's sales model and threatens a breakup of the lucrative business. The new charge sheet follows three earlier EU cases against Google, in which the company has racked up more than €8 billion ($8.6 billion) since 2017 for abuses of dominance on its mobile operating system, its search business, and its display advertising operations. [Extracted from the article]

The new charge sheet follows three earlier EU cases against Google, in which the company has racked up more than €8 billion ($8.6 billion) since 2017 for abuses of dominance on its mobile operating system, its search business, and its display advertising operations. (Bloomberg) -- Google was accused of abusing its dominance over advertising technology to crush competition, as the European Union fired off an antitrust charge sheet that strikes at the heart of the US firm's sales model and threatens a selloff of the lucrative business. [Extracted from the article]

Crucially, the European Commission said that a potential order for Google to implement behavioral remedies may not be sufficient in correcting the abusive conduct, opening the door for a potential order against Google to break up its ad tech business from its core services. The new charge sheet follows three earlier EU cases against Google, in which the company has racked up more than €8 billion ($8.6 billion) since 2017 for abuses of dominance on its mobile operating system, its search business, and its display advertising operations. (Bloomberg) -- Google was accused of abusing its dominance over advertising technology to crush competition, as the European Union fired off an antitrust charge sheet that strikes at the heart of the US firm's business model and could pave the way for a split up. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Google is set to be hit with a formal antitrust complaint from the European Union that could pave the way for massive fines and strike at the heart of the advertising technology that drives most of the US firm's revenue. The EU first opened a probe into Google's ad tech practices in 2021. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Google is set to be hit with a formal antitrust complaint from the European Union that could lead to massive new fines and strike at the heart of the advertising technology that drives most of the US firm's revenue. The EU first opened a probe into Google's ad tech practices in 2021. [Extracted from the article]

BRIEFING Apple and Google are exercising a "vice-like grip" over mobile devices, according to the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is investigating how two of tech's biggest names have "too much control" over the two major mobile operating systems. Apple is confident that the CMA's in-depth investigation will reveal how many of the statements from third parties repeated in the SoS are self-serving, misrepresent Apple's business model and are not grounded in competition law.". [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- An India appeals court upheld a fine of about $160 million slapped on Alphabet Inc.'s Google by the country's antitrust regulator, amid growing scrutiny over the company's ambition to expand the global reach of its Android mobile operating system. Days later, the CCI imposed another fine of 9.4 billion rupees ($114 million) on Google for restricting app developers from using third-party billing and payment-processing services. Google had appealed to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal after the Competition Commission of India last October fined it for abusing its dominant position in the Android device ecosystem. [Extracted from the article]

The CCI in October fined Google for what it said was abuse of its dominant position in the Android device ecosystem. Google had appealed to the tribunal after it received the fine late last year. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc.'s Google failed to avert a 13 billion-rupee ($160 million) fine in an appeal to India's Supreme Court in an antitrust case, which charged the company with abusing its dominant market position for its Android mobile operating system. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in October that Google had strengthened its position through moves it deemed anti-competitive, such as by making the installation of its own apps compulsory on new handsets. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Apostrophy AG, a software startup founded by mobile industry veterans, is headed to Davos this week to unveil a smartphone operating system that puts privacy first. It works by segregating apps to prevent tracking of user behavior, not unlike the changes Apple implemented in iOS on iPhones that had a calamitous effect on Meta Platforms Inc.'s ad sales. [Extracted from the article]

Read more: Microsoft's Activision fight is a bet on the future of gaming Nvidia and Google are both major forces in the industry. Google and Nvidia provided information that backs a key FTC contention - that Microsoft could gain an unfair advantage in the market for cloud, subscription and mobile gaming - according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the process is confidential. [Extracted from the article]

The appeals tribunal refused an immediate relief in the Android case, prompting Google to appeal in the Supreme Court. (Bloomberg) -- An Indian appeals court declined to grant any immediate relief to Alphabet Inc.'s Google in a case over a fine of 9.36 billion rupees ($115 million) for abusing its dominant position in the market. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of PC Welt Plus is the property of IDG Communications, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)