Google accuses Microsoft of antitrust violations in Cloud Market
Key Points:
- Google has filed a complaint with the EU accusing Microsoft of unfair licensing practices for its Azure cloud services.
- Microsoft is alleged to be making it difficult and expensive to use Windows Server and Office products on non-Azure cloud infrastructure.
- This complaint comes after Microsoft settled with an industry group over similar concerns.
Google’s Complaint
Google has taken a significant step against Microsoft, accusing the tech giant of anticompetitive behavior in the cloud market. The company has filed an antitrust complaint with European Union regulators, alleging that Microsoft’s licensing terms for its Azure cloud services are unfair.
According to Google, Microsoft’s licensing practices make it difficult and expensive for customers to use Windows Server and Office products on cloud infrastructure providers other than Azure. This effectively gives Microsoft a significant advantage in the market, as customers may be discouraged from using competing cloud services.
Google’s complaint is particularly concerning given the growing importance of cloud computing in today’s digital world. As more businesses and organizations rely on cloud-based services, the market must remain competitive and fair.
Microsoft’s Response
Microsoft has responded to Google’s complaint by asserting that it has already addressed similar concerns raised by other European cloud providers. The company points to a recent settlement it reached with an industry group as evidence of its willingness to cooperate.
However, Google’s complaint suggests that Microsoft’s previous efforts to address these issues may not have been sufficient. The company’s allegations raise serious questions about the fairness of Microsoft’s practices and their potential impact on the cloud market.
Ongoing Scrutiny
In addition to Google’s complaint, Microsoft is facing antitrust scrutiny in other regions as well. The UK’s competition watchdog is investigating Microsoft’s and Amazon’s cloud licensing practices, while the Federal Trade Commission in the United States is examining the AI investments of these companies and their links to cloud services.
The growing scrutiny of Microsoft’s cloud practices highlights the importance of ensuring a level playing field in this rapidly evolving market. As the demand for cloud-based services continues to grow, consumers and businesses must have access to a variety of options from competitive providers.
Google Calendar is getting a fresh look with a new visual design. Along with the updated look, Google has added some handy new features to simplify managing your schedule.
One of the most noticeable changes is the return of the three buttons for creating new events. You can now quickly choose between making a regular appointment, a task, or a birthday event.
Birthday Reminders
For birthdays, you can set reminders for the day itself, a week before, or even further in advance. This is a great way to ensure you never forget a special occasion.
Google Photos Gets Smarter
Google Photos is also getting a significant upgrade with the introduction of “Ask Photos”. This new feature allows you to ask questions about your photos using natural language. For example, you could ask “When was the last time I went to the beach?” or “Who is that person in the photo?”
AI-Powered Search
Using artificial intelligence, Ask Photos can analyze your photos and provide relevant answers to your questions. While it’s still in its early stages, Google promises that Ask Photos will become even more powerful over time.
Quick Search Tips for Google Photos and Play Store
Google has also made it easier to search for apps and photos. You can now quickly access the search bar in both Google Photos and the Play Store by double-tapping the search icon. This eliminates the extra step of opening the search tab first.
These new features are a welcome addition to Google Calendar and Google Photos. They make it easier to manage your schedule and find the photos you’re looking for.
Google Photos is rolling out a powerful new feature called Ask Photos! This AI-powered tool lets you search your photo library with natural language questions. Gone are the days of clunky keywords. Now, you can ask things like “Show me Halloween costumes over the years” or “When did my child learn to swim?”
The feature is still in its early stages, but it shows great promise. It appears as a new tab in the Photos app, replacing the “Search” function. Initially, it focuses on recognizing people and places in your photos. It might not be perfect for events or objects yet, but it’s constantly learning.
Signing Up for Ask Photos:
While not available to everyone yet, Google opened a waitlist last month. If you signed up, keep an eye out for the update! For others, the waitlist is still open (US only for now).
A New Look for Google Shopping:
In addition to the exciting Photos update, Google Shopping is getting a makeover! It seems a new logo is on the way, replacing the familiar price tag icon. The new logo is a simplified shopping bag in Google’s signature colors, swirling together for a clean, modern look.
The website itself might also be getting a refresh. We spotted glimpses of a redesigned site with a user-friendly layout and helpful features like browsing recommendations and price comparisons.
What’s Next?
While official announcements from Google are likely forthcoming, these updates hint at exciting things to come for Google Photos and Shopping. Ask Photos has the potential to revolutionize how you search your memories, and the Google Shopping revamp promises a more streamlined shopping experience.
Google has released a new version of Android Auto, version 13.0. While you won’t see any big changes on the surface, some important updates are happening under the hood.
What’s New?
- Car Media: Google is working on a new feature called “Car Media.” This feature will allow you to easily control your car’s AM/FM radio and local media.
- Bug Fixes: The update includes bug fixes and improvements to make Android Auto run smoothly.
When Will Car Media Be Available?
Google hasn’t announced an official release date for Car Media yet. But they’re actively working on it, and we might see it in a future update.
How to Get Android Auto 13.0
The Android Auto 13.0 update is available now on the Google Play Store. Just search for “Android Auto” and install the latest version.
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