Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Android

Google could be in hot water with Europe again, this time with Android

The European Commission is putting together an antitrust case which will investigate whether Google has made manufacturers promote its own services on Android.

A FEW MONTHS after Google proposed a list of remedies to help settle Europe’s antitrust case focusing on its search engine business, the European Commission (EC) could soon be filing another case against the company, this time looking at its mobile software Android.

The EC is currently laying down the groundwork for a case looking at whether Google abuses the dominant market share Android has on the smartphone market to promote services like search and maps, according to Reuters.

It has sent out questionnaires to companies, asking whether there was a requirement set by Google for them not to pre-install apps, products or services that compete with Google’s own services.

While any company is free to use Android as they wish, as it’s an open-source platform, mobile handset makers that want to use the platform must sign a contract that requires a minimum number of Google services be pre-installed on devices, according to a former Google executive speaking to Reuters.

It’s expected that a formal probe will begin once the EC wraps up its investigation into whether Google ranks its own services higher than those of its rivals.

The news comes shortly after new findings from Strategy Analytics found that 85% of global phone shipments in the second quarter were powered by Android. It also found that overall smartphone shipments grew to 295 million units during the last quarter, a 27% increase compared to the same period last year.

Read: Ever wished your car would park itself and return to you later? You could be in luck >

Read: Facebook’s latest app is offering developing countries free access to Wikipedia and Google >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
16 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Hannigan
    Favourite Thomas Hannigan
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 10:41 AM

    Hailo raised it percentage take and lost taxi drivers.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathan Smith
    Favourite Jonathan Smith
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 1:54 PM

    When was that?just curious

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Debbie Meleady
    Favourite Debbie Meleady
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 10:42 PM

    Hailo charge 12% commisssion, that’s it. No €79.00 or €99.00 a week with Citycabs/Global/Lynk.

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Debbie Meleady
    Favourite Debbie Meleady
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 10:46 PM

    Still has over half the Dublin fleet at 7,000+

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 11:19 AM

    Hailo will lose more drivers if they keep uping the aunty with price and rules silly rules !

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Debbie Meleady
    Favourite Debbie Meleady
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 10:48 PM

    You can’t up an “Aunty”, well maybe you can. Upping the ante is another thing. lol

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 12:04 PM

    They do take credit card but yes you do have to sign up first

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Morgan
    Favourite Liam Morgan
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 11:42 AM

    They lost me when they stooped the use of their credit card facilities for non bailout jobs/customers it was extremely handy

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 12:05 PM

    What is a non bailout job or customer

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute windbag
    Favourite windbag
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 1:07 PM

    I think he misspelled it ……..its meant to read non hailo jobs as in you used to be able to take credit card jobs of the street now the customer has to download the app if they want to pay by card…….stupid idea from hailo…

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Hammond
    Favourite Dave Hammond
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 8:23 PM

    Hailo have added the option to pre book now so that’s not a unique feature for lynk

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute windbag
    Favourite windbag
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 8:37 PM

    Hailo had to add that feature because it was the next step …….and to keep up with other apps that have that feature before them ….e.g…cab:app

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Debbie Meleady
    Favourite Debbie Meleady
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 10:59 PM

    My husband left a cab company recently. The company sold the controlling share to the guy named above. They thought that they could sell the drivers rent as part of the business package, (Approx’ €5K per year),forgetting that the drivers hire the cab company to supply them with work, and they work for the driver. Not wanting any association withthe new owners, he fired them.

    He wondered why, as he calls it “the Weakest Lynk”, chose the exact same colour branding as Hailo? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I suppose.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seaghán Corcoran
    Favourite Seaghán Corcoran
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 12:39 PM

    Lynk taxis. €25 free sign up. €5 per journey if you pay by card but wait there’s a €3 booking fee before you sit in the taxi. It is removed after you use your “free” €25. So, free €10 sign up.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 2:02 PM

    They can’t charge €3 for booking ! €2 is max Hailo don’t charge for booking

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seaghán Corcoran
    Favourite Seaghán Corcoran
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 8:57 AM

    They do. I got a taxi that usually costs less than €5 and cost me over €8. Minus the “five” free. When you contact them they say that is taken off when your €25 is up.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Cleary
    Favourite James Cleary
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 2:09 PM

    I always use the lynk app ( Irish owned company)

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 2:44 PM

    To be fair Hailo was set up by 3 guys one Irish

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Cullen
    Favourite James Cullen
    Report
    Apr 7th 2015, 6:39 PM

    it was set up back 3 London black cab drivers

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds