Google

Google said Monday it plans to start enforcing a rule requiring Android apps in its Play store to use its payment system, which takes a 30 per cent cut of transactions. "We have clarified the language in our Payments Policy to be more explicit that all developers selling digital goods in their apps are required to use Google Play's billing system," product management vice president Sameer Samat said in a blog post. People with smartphones or tablets powered by Google-backed Android software are free to get apps from online venues other than the Play Store run by the internet giant. Fortnite still unwelcome in Apple's mobile App StoreEpic Games on Monday failed to convince a US judge to make Apple put its hit title Fortnite back in the tech giant's App Store, while their legal battle heads for a possible trial next year. … [Read more...] about Google clamps down on apps dodging Play Store 30% cut

Google has introduced breakout rooms in its video conferencing app Meet to divide participants into smaller groups during video calls and have more engaged distance communication. Google will let you make up to 100 breakout rooms during a single call. With the feature, teachers and educators will be able to break their classes into smaller groups for projects or focused discussions. Participants can then easily rejoin the original meeting following their smaller group discussion. G Suite Enterprise for Education customers, Google said in a statement. "This feature will be launching to additional Google Workspace editions later this year," the company said. With this feature, educators can offer increased engagement in their classes by splitting students up for simultaneous small group discussions or working time. Moderators can also jump between breakout rooms to monitor and participate in discussions. "You can also manually move people into different rooms". While only event … [Read more...] about Google allows up to 100 breakout rooms in Meet for focused chats

"We will be setting up policy workshops to help clear any additional questions about our Play Store policies," Purnima Kochikar, Director of Business Development, Games & Applications, Google Play, said in a blog post. The developers and payment gateway players have criticised the new Google in-app purchase policies where those using Play Store to sell digital services will be required to use the tech giant's own built-in payment system. "Just because Google owns the gate and the gateway to the digital ecosystem of this country, they should not act arbitrarily and enforce their rules and regulations which are contrary to our country's laws," said Vishwas Patel, Founder, CCAvenues and Chairman, Payments Council of India. "Also, they cannot force Indian apps developers/owners selling digital services to compulsorily use the Google Billing and payment system and charge 30 per cent MDR," he added. According to Kochikar, the Google Play payments policy is not new. "In fact, more … [Read more...] about Google defers Play Store fee as Paytm launches own Android store

A report in The Washington Post said, “absent a settlement, the outcome could rest in the hands of Amit Mehta, a federal judge in a Washington, D.C., district court. Appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, he was randomly selected Wednesday to hear the Google case.” … [Read more...] about India-born US Judge Amit Mehta assigned Justice Department’s lawsuit against Google

The Justice Department on Tuesday sued Google for antitrust violations, alleging that it abused its dominance in online search and advertising to stifle competition and harm consumers. The lawsuit marks the government's most significant act to protect competition since its groundbreaking case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago. It could be an opening salvo ahead of other major government antitrust actions, given ongoing investigations of major tech companies including Apple, Amazon and Facebook at both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. Lawmakers and consumer advocates have long accused Google, whose corporate parent Alphabet Inc. has a market value just over $1 trillion, of abusing its dominance in online search and advertising to stifle competition and boost its profits. Critics contend that multibillion-dollar fines and mandated changes in Google's practices imposed by European regulators in recent years weren't severe enough and that structural … [Read more...] about Justice Department files landmark antitrust case against Google