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Google gets a slap on the wrist for what commission calls 'Monopolization of the app market'
Regulatory fine on Google signals potential shift in app store dynamics
In a rapidly digitizing world, app ecosystems have taken center stage, transforming the way businesses and consumers interact. With countries such as China implementing stringent regulations on app providers and increased global scrutiny on the revenue-sharing models of platforms like Google's Play Store, the tech landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. A recent manifestation of this trend is observed in South Korea, where the government is challenging Google's longstanding dominance in the app store arena.
Popular South Korean app caves to Google's billing requirements
KakaoTalk will reportedly remove links to external billing so it can update its app again
Those following the Google Play Store billing changes and lawsuits might remember a law that went into effect in Korea last year, requiring that Google allow app developers in that market to offer third-party payment options. However, that's not a free pass to cut Google out entirely. In exchange for access to its platform, Google still wants a cut, whether you're using its billing system or someone else's. A few weeks ago, the popular (in South Korea) KakaoTalk app, featuring over 100 million installs on the Play Store, was prevented from updating its app since it didn't honor this requirement by directly linking to a storefront where Google made nothing. However, KakaoTalk will now give in to Google's requirements.
Google blocks popular app's update in South Korea over third-party billing
The KakaoTalk messaging app has over 100M downloads, and it's stuck in update limbo
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Google has long been wishy-washy about billing rules in the Play Store, but it announced strengthened enforcement in 2020. Not all developers were pleased with the changes, which forbade bypassing the Google Pay system. Epic filed (another) lawsuit, and lawmakers in South Korea passed an in-app payment law known colloquially as the "anti-Google law." It's being put to the test now that the rules have gone into effect. According to local reports, the popular KakaoTalk app is unable to submit updates because includes a link to its website for payments rather than integrating with the Play Store payment platform.
Samsung faces lawsuit and possible Korean consumer watchdog investigation over S22 throttling
Don't throttle me, bro
Samsung launched its Galaxy S22 series to great fanfare last month, but lately the phones have been in the spotlight for some decidedly negative reasons. The problem concerns One UI 4's game optimization service (GOS), and while Samsung claims it's there to improve performance while minimizing overheating, there's been widespread fallout accusing the software of cheating at benchmarks — even leading to a Geekbench ban. Now it looks like some users are mad enough about the throttling to sue the company, and they're organizing — just as the company is also drawing scrutiny from South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for the same reason.
Google Play starts making alternate billing methods available in response to government demands
There's a new option available in South Korea
The Epic Games lawsuit against Google and Apple not only brought to light anticompetitive behavior present in both app stores, but also publicized efforts to block third-party billing methods on those platforms. South Korea was having none of this, and a bill passed by the country's National Assembly, widely dubbed the "Anti-Google law," prevents Google from forcing Play Store billing onto developers publishing apps on Google Play. We're now seeing Google comply, and the company will support third-party billing methods on apps downloaded from Google Play — but there's a few catches.
Google's anti-competitive behavior costs it another $177 million
It's South Korea's turn to dish out an antitrust fine this time around
Only a couple of weeks after the South Korean government passed a bill that will force Google (and Apple) to allow app developers to receive payments via third-party systems, the country's regulator has dealt another huge blow to the Mountain View company. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has announced that it's fining Google's parent company Alphabet the modest sum of $177 million for abusing its dominance in the smartphone OS market.
South Korea could be the first country to legislate open app store payments
It's the most aggressive action taken by any country to loosen the stranglehold on mobile app monetization
South Korea is set to regulate an end to exclusive payment terms on app stores, striking an economic blow against the integrated mobile systems of Google and Apple. A bill approved by the National Assembly this week would force both companies to allow app developers to accept payments from third-party systems, on the Play Store and App Store, respectively. This would threaten the lucrative cut (between 15% and 30%) they receive on each digital transaction.
Foldable phones have arrived, and Samsung has the pre-order figures to prove it
Acknowledge the folding smartphone before it takes over the world
Samsung's big pitch for the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 appears to have landed a hit. The company has confirmed that it has logged the most global pre-orders for the new foldable phones ever, eclipsing sales of existing Galaxy Z models year-to-date. Unofficial numbers from South Korea may give us an idea of how big this stack actually is.
Google Opinion Rewards brings its free Play Store credit to five more countries
Your next Android game is on the house
Paid apps and games usually only cost you a few bucks, but that's still money you can put towards your next coffee or beer (you know, depending on the time of day). Google Opinion Rewards makes it easy to pick up a movie rental or to splurge on in-app purchases in your favorite games just by answering a few simple questions. If you've been waiting for it to arrive in your region, you might want to check out today's updated list.
Samsung's latest phone is a "Quantum" leap forward
No one seems to mention that a quantum leap is literally the smallest one you can possibly make
For about a week we've been seeing glimpses of a new, high-end variant in Samsung's Galaxy A series. This morning South Korean carrier SK Telecom made it official: the Galaxy Quantum2 is up for pre-order now. At the time of writing, the phone hasn't been announced for any other market, either under the "Quantum2" name or its alternative, leaked Galaxy A82 moniker.
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Samsung's mid-range Galaxy A series is deep and wide, much more so than the mainline S series. The latest A phone to break cover is the A82, also referred to as the "Quantum2" in its leaked materials. It's a sequel to the Galaxy A Quantum announced last summer, which was a variant of the excellent Galaxy A71. The leaked specifications describe, as implied by its model number, a phone on the high end of the mid-range.
These are LG's never to be released flagship phones for 2021
The LG Rollable was spotted going through regulatory agencies
Late Sunday evening the final nail was driven into the coffin of LG's smartphone business, when the manufacturer declared it was halting development of all hardware. One of the (many) areas in which LG fell behind was in the cutting edge of foldable phone development, but it did have at least one alternative: a rolling screen. LG showed off its prototype earlier this year, declaring its intention to make and sell it, and apparently sent it to multiple certification agencies for testing.
Samsung is launching wireless earbuds that use a tiny Adidas hat as a charging case
For the sneaker stans out there
The Galaxy Buds Pro are among the best truly wireless earbuds you can get for your Android phone, and Samsung wants to push it with yet another special edition. After the nostalgic retro flip phone sets it announced in January, Samsung is releasing one in collaboration with Adidas Originals to showcase its eco-friendly efforts.
Samsung One UI 3.0 beta ending for Note20, starting up for Galaxy S10 series
Android 11 is nigh for some
Samsung's One UI 3.0 on top of Android 11 edges closer to a stable release with news that beta testing has ended for some Galaxy Note20 devices. But with that end comes a new beginning: Galaxy S10 series devices are entering their own beta.
YouTube Premium comes with free channel memberships until December 31
But again, only if you live in any of these five countries
Last year, YouTube launched channel memberships as a bid to woo creators away from other platform-building sites such as Patreon and drive more revenue. But memberships can't be worth anything if there aren't any members, so for the second time this year, the Google-owned video sharing site is now offering free membership to YouTube Premium subscribers in several countries.
LG is spreading around a new coat of paint for its Android smartphones in South Korea.
Samsung Galaxy S20 series updates with July patch now rolling out in Europe
With camera zoom and video stablization improvements among other smaller fixes
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Samsung used to be known for updating its devices notoriously late, but gradually, it has become one of the most active manufacturers when it comes to software and security patches, often even outpacing Google itself. As such, SamMobile reports that the company has already started rolling out the Android July security patch to its S20 series, beginning in Korea. The new release brings zoom and video stabilization improvements to the camera and sunsets Samsung's Android Auto competitor.
The Nest Mini can be had for ₩64,900 (or around $54 USD) in the usual branded white, black, blue, and pink colors; and the Nest Hub is ₩115,000 (or $96 USD) and available in white or black. If you're in South Korea and you're debating picking one up, feel free to check out our reviews for both the Nest Hub and Nest Mini — though if you wait, Google will probably start throwing them at you for free.
One UI 2.1 update starts hitting Samsung Galaxy S9 with June security patch in tow
Bringing many Galaxy S20 features to your two-year-old S9
The Galaxy S20 line came preinstalled with the Android 10-based One UI 2.1 packing a whole bunch of exclusive features. These are now trickling down to older Galaxy flagships as they get their own One UI 2.1 updates. The OS version landed on the Galaxy Note9 about a week ago, and it’s now time for the S9 to get the latest build, which also bumps its security patch level to June 2020.
LG Velvet coming to North America and elsewhere in the coming weeks
The company told everyone pretty much everything about this phone well before launch
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As we're used to for the past several years now, LG leaves very few secrets on the table about the phones it's going to launch. Indeed, the new Velvet phone was teased quite early on as the successor to the longstanding G-series. Tomorrow, it goes on pre-sale in South Korea and we're now getting a clearer look at what we can expect out of the phone.