Google

Google accuses Microsoft of antitrust violations in Cloud Market

Published

8 months ago

September 25, 2024

Tom Carter

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.

Android

Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

Published

8 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Tom Carter

Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.

The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.

For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!

Google

Smart home and navigation upgrades for easier living

Published

8 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Tom Carter

Google Maps is making driving more fun with a new feature for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, you can pick different car icons to show your vehicle on the map. Choose from options like a sleek sedan, a rugged SUV, or a cool arrow.

This small change adds a personal touch to your navigation and is rolling out to all users soon. Meanwhile, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is getting a big upgrade with Google Home support. You can now see who’s at your door right from the Google Home app, view live video, and even talk to visitors.

If you have a Nest Hub, the doorbell feed pops up automatically when someone rings. This feature, already available for Ecobee’s thermostat, makes your smart home setup smoother and is available now for all users. On the AI front, Google’s Gemini app is getting smarter with the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview.

This update improves coding skills, helping developers create better apps and websites. It also handles video and text tasks more effectively. The preview is out for everyone to try, with Google planning to share more at its I/O 2025 event. These updates from Google and Ecobee bring small but meaningful improvements, making your car rides, home security, and digital tasks easier and more enjoyable.

Google

Google updates Chrome, Search, and Play Store for better user experience

Published

17 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Tom Carter

Google is rolling out exciting updates to make browsing, searching, and downloading apps smoother and safer for Android users. These changes focus on improving Chrome’s security, redesigning the Google Search bar, and enhancing the Google Play Store’s download process.

Chrome’s Improved Security

Google Chrome now offers stronger protection with “Enhanced Safe Browsing” powered by Gemini Nano, an AI model that works directly on your device. This feature checks websites in real-time to spot phishing attempts and other online threats, keeping your data safe without relying on cloud servers. It’s a step up from the standard protection, giving users more peace of mind while browsing.

Redesigned Google Search Bar

The Google Search bar on Android is getting a fresh look. It’s now simpler and easier to use, with a modern design that fits better with your phone’s home screen. The updated widget lets you access Search, Lens, or voice commands quickly. The new layout is clean and user-friendly, making searches faster and more intuitive.

Better Play Store Downloads

The Google Play Store is improving how it shows app download progress. A new notification design displays a progress bar right in your notification panel, so you can track downloads without opening the app. This small but helpful change makes managing app installs more convenient.

These updates show Google’s focus on creating a safer, simpler, and more efficient experience for Android users. They’re rolling out gradually, so keep an eye out for them on your device!