14 DAY TRIAL // We have recently told you that the European Commission has officially accused Google of abusing its dominant position while its search services are concerned and also issued an antitrust probe into the Android mobile operating system.
Google had anticipated the decision in an internal leaked memo to employees regarding the legal feud EU revealed not so long ago. But in the document, one can also discover some interesting details about Google’s popular operating system (as seen at Re/Code).
Google reveals the extent of Android's supremacy
The search giant revealed that there are currently more than 18,000 Android device models active in the wild. That’s because there are tons of companies out there making Android smartphones and some of them you’ve probably never even heard of.
For example, earlier today we told you about an obscure Chinese firm called Bluboo which just announced a $169 / €159 handset set to arrive with Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box and a pretty hefty 5,300 mAh battery.
Sure, there are better-known companies hailing out of China like Xiaomi, Meizu, Huawei or Lenovo, and that just proves how much the grasp of Android is extending over the mobile market.
Google is constantly trying to promote the plethora of Android devices by launching campaigns like “Be together, not the same.”
Supremacy comes at a cost
However, Google has been accused of imposing its own applications and services on device manufacturers without leaving some room for the competition to breathe. Unsurprisingly, the company says it isn’t so.
In a response to the accusation coming from the European Commission, the search giant points out that its app distribution agreement makes sure people have a great “out of the box” experience with useful apps right from the get-go.
These apps also help Android devices compete with Apple, Microsoft, and other mobile ecosystems that come pre-loaded with similar apps, although tech giants like the Redmond-based company have signaled their intention of getting their apps into Android devices.
Google also says these distribution agreements are not exclusive and Android manufacturers can install their own apps and applications from other companies as well. By comparison, we’re told there are far fewer Google apps pre-installed on Android phones than Apple apps on iOS devices.