 | ||
Google Mobile Services are the applications and services provided by Google in order to enhance the user's mobile experience. Google Mobile Services are distinct from Android; they remain under a completely "separate license" from Google.
Contents
Gmail
Google's own personal email provider. Users of Gmail get up to 15 GB of free storage, as well as being able to allocate different emails into sub-categories. Users can also synchronise settings between their mobile phones and computers.
Chrome
Google Chrome is Google's web browser. It allows users to surf the web simply and easily, and provides large amounts of privacy, using the Incognito mode. This mode does not save any of the user's browsing data, including, websites visited and passwords.
Google+
Google+ is a way in which people can socialise with other people around the world, share their photos as well as being able to use the Google+ Hangouts. The hangout is a way in which numerous people can all join together on one video call and communicate together. It is also possible for people to just watch these broadcast hangouts.
Google Maps
Maps is a Google satellite which gives an in-depth accurate map of almost every city in the world. Google maps gives directions from how to get from one point to the other, figures out the quickest route possible, and gives an Earth/Satellite/Street view. Maps is available on browsers as well as mobile phones, allowing custom maps as well as saved directions to be saved on Google Accounts and later be accessed from all devices.
YouTube
YouTube is an online site which allows people to share and view videos uploaded by other channels. Certain people earn money through their YouTube channels, and use YouTube videos as a full-time job. All the users subscriptions and videos will automatically be synchronised to their Google accounts, for easy access across all devices.
Google Docs
Google Docs are online application which allow people to create, edit or view different types of documents. These documents also include: Slides and Spreadsheets. Google Docs can be synchronised across all devices using the users Google account. This allows the user to access their documents on any device they wish, and edit it wherever they are, needing only an internet connection.
Google Translate
Google Translate is an online translating tool which translates text from one language to the other instantly for the user. This service offered by Google and is completely free on all devices.
Waze
By connecting drivers to one another, Waze help people create local driving communities that work together to improve the quality of everyone's daily driving. Waze is a realtime traffic information service with user generated content.
Google and problems with rival firms
Numerous European firms filed a complaint to the European Commission stating that Google had manipulated their power and dominance within the market to push their Services to be used by phone manufacturers. The firms were joined together under the name FairSearch, and the main firms included were Microsoft, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Nokia and Oracle. FairSearch's major problem with Google's practices was that they believed Google were forcing phone manufacturers to use their Mobile Services. They claimed Google managed this by asking these manufacturers to sign a contract stating that they must pre-install specific Google Mobile Services, such as Maps, Search and YouTube, in order to get the latest version of the open-source software "Android". Google swiftly responded stating that they "continue to work co-operatively with the European Commission.".
Complaints over Android apps
A third-party Android app store called "Aptoide" also filed a complaint against Google once again stating that they are mis-using its power within the market. Aptoide suggested that Google was blocking third-party app stores from being on Google Play, as well as blocking Google Chrome from downloading any third-party apps and app stores. As of June 2014, Google had not responded to these allegations.
Privacy policy problems
At the same time, Google faced problems with various European data protection act agencies, most notably in the UK and France. The problem they faced was that they had a set of 60 rules merged into one, which allowed Google to "track users more closely". Google once again came out and stated that their new policies still abide by European Laws.