The Galaxy S25 is one more product from the Korean tech big that has entry to some options from Google that different telephones do not but have. It is not the primary time this has occurred; we have seen it in earlier Galaxy telephone launches, and even the “new” Put on OS appears utterly like a Samsung/Google joint effort. The partnership between the 2 has by no means been stronger.
I’ve seen just a few folks declare that that is ruining Android. I disagree and assume, if something, that is much less of a partnership and extra like Google exploiting Samsung as a result of Samsung permits it.
Android & Chill
One of many internet’s longest-running tech columns, Android & Chill is your Saturday dialogue of Android, Google, and all issues tech.
I am not speaking about any type of web slap-fighting between overzealous however misguided model loyalists. Samsung did not promote unhealthy shows to different corporations or purposely promote exploding batteries to spoil the fame of the Android ecosystem. Frankly, that sort of considering reveals an individual has no thought how the smartphone business even works, and I keep away from all of it. OnePlus bought thousands and thousands of telephones and a handful of them utilizing Samsung shows had a inexperienced line. Samsung bought thousands and thousands of Word 7s, and 10 or so had essential battery points, prompting a recall. Nothing was intentional.
What I am speaking about and the place a lot of the dialogue about Android’s ruined fame stems from how carefully the 2 corporations appear to work collectively to offer Samsung first entry, and even unique entry, to Google options.
It is a change to how Android began. Having one firm in a position to get Google software program when different corporations cannot is a slap within the face of Android’s “open” days. There was a time when Motorola and HTC have been atop the Android mountain and Samsung would have been displeased if Google gave both unique entry to options. Rightly so, thus I notice that to some folks this transformation has ruined Android.
The factor is that Android was by no means actually open and this is not Samsung’s doing. Blame Google if it is advisable level the finger.
The Google/Samsung relationship is not equal, and that’s Samsung’s fault. Samsung depends upon Google for the software program that powers most of its cell merchandise and has given up making an attempt to alter that. Units that ran Bada and Tizen weren’t good and had depressing gross sales numbers in comparison with any of Samsung’s newer Android-powered units. They have been Samsung’s personal, although, and I want lively growth and merchandise utilizing them have been nonetheless round. Competitors is nice, ya know?
Google appears to think about Samsung its personal private advertising and marketing division and product showcase division to me. Google did not enable Samsung to have so many Pixel-esque AI options on the S25 as a result of it wished to assist Samsung. It does it as a result of it is aware of Samsung can promote tons of of thousands and thousands of telephones yearly, and it needs folks to have entry to those options so it may well accumulate extra information. So long as Google stays in management, it does not care that folks assume Gemini is a Samsung product. It cares that extra persons are utilizing it.
Google does this by having two totally different Androids. There may be the Android Open Supply Venture that you simply or I can obtain and use on no matter machine we like, making any adjustments we would like so long as the open-source licenses are honored. Then there’s the locked-down model of precise Android (sure, the identify itself is trademarked) that Google controls with a good grip. Licensing and platform entry agreements imply if your organization needs to promote a telephone working Android with entry to any of Google’s software program, you’ll toe their line.
That is the Android that Google makes use of like a carrot on a stick for machine producers. What Google does right here is extraordinarily distasteful to me, nevertheless it means corporations like Samsung or OnePlus do not need to develop their very own equal. Although they in all probability might. If Amazon can do it, Samsung can do it.
Samsung has grown depending on Google. Some fragments present what Samsung might do, like Good Lock. It appears possible Google forces Samsung to stop the mixing of Good Lock into OneUI, saying it could create some software program fork, and which means you must go to the Galaxy Retailer and set up it like an app.
Merely put, if you happen to imagine that Google and Samsung are working collectively to create exclusivity, you are in all probability proper. It is a change from the Android of yesteryear, and also you would possibly assume it is ruining issues — some folks dislike change.
Do not blame Samsung for it as a result of it is 100% Google’s doing.
