When an Android manufacturer wants to include Google applications on devices, they must sign the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA). This agreement is why Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and a bunch of others can use things like Google Play. Without something like Google Play, users would be left with meager alternatives. Google has made some changes to the MADA that expands the company’s software presence on Android devices this year.
The new version of the agreement increases the total amount of Google apps coming pre-installed on a device by as much as twenty. There is also a requirement to place them on the home screen of a device in a specific setup. Google Play must have a standalone spot while everything else can be packaged into a folder. On the home screen, Android manufacturers are also being told to put Google Search front and center with the preset “OK Google” hotword activated.
Google wants swiping up from the bottom of the display to cue Google Now. This is already the case with Nexus and just about any on-screen buttons device. But the company wants devices with hardware buttons to adopt it as well. For example, Samsung would need to incorporate this change. It currently leaves Google Now activation to one of its buttons. The new approach would be for the swipe up from the bottom to simulate the same action on a Nexus device.
With these changes, Google is adding a bit of an incentive for ditching services from competitors. When an Android manufacturer chooses to ditch something like Bing or the Amazon Appstore, Google will share Play Store revenue. This incentive, however, goes by an agreement-by-agreement basis. The bigger companies, like Samsung, are generally not included.
Everything included in the new Mobile Application Distribution Agreement is starting to be noticed in 2014 devices. The most obvious is the boot animation. If Google’s trademark is not found, the device must included “Powered by Android” or something else identifying Android is present.
Source: The Information
Come comment on this article: Google requiring expanded presence of its apps for Android manufacturers
from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/YlImcU
No comments:
Post a Comment