The recent launches of Hisense, TCL and Xiaomi Fire TVs is a result of a deal struck between Amazon and Google to let Android partners launch TVs built on Android forks.
While Google still generally prohibits its partners from launching TVs built on other Android-based forks, Amazon and Google have reached a deal, according to a report by Protocol. Amazon's Fire TV platform is based on Android, specifically AOSP (Android Open Source Project).
- "The unveiling of the two TV models is the direct result of a deal Google and Amazon struck in recent months, Protocol has learned from a source close to one of the parties involved in the agreement," Protocol wrote with reference to TCL's first Fire TVs.
Anti-competitive practices
Google's practices came under scrutiny in India that fined Google $161.9 million last week for anti-competitive practices, according to a report by TechCrunch.
Here is what Amazon told the Competition Commission of India (CCI) as part of the investigation:
- "Given the breadth of the anti-fragmentation obligations, Amazon has also experienced significant difficulties in finding OEM partners to manufacture smart TVs running its Fire OS. The breadth of the AFA restrictions as they apply to Android licensees is such that OEMs have concerns that manufacturing smart TVs running Fire OS will put their GMS license for other businesses (e.g., smartphone business) at risk, even if the OEMs do not manufacture and supply Android smart TVs. Amazon has explored working with mobile OEMs/ODMs/CMs who also manufacture non-mobile smart media devices, such as smart TVs, to enable those manufacturers to distribute non-mobile smart media devices (including smart TVs) running the Fire OS (e.g., Fire TV Edition (FTVE) for smart TVs). In these discussions with OEMs, at least seven OEMs have indicated that their ability to enter into a manufacturing relationship of this kind with Amazon is either blocked entirely or significantly limited (e.g., in terms of geographic scope) by their contractual commitments to Google and the concern that Google would retaliate against another of the OEM’s businesses that produce Android devices."
This is Google's so-called Android Compatibility Commitment, or AAC that prevents partners from making devices based on forked versions of Android or risk losing access to Google's official Android for mobile, TV, automative etc. Google has previously said that AAC is designed to prevent fragmentation.
Specific companies were highlighted in the Competition Commission of India's report:
- "For example, such discussions occurred with Skyworth, TPV (with respect to the Philips brand), UMC (with respect to the Sharp brand), Foxconn (with respect to the Sharp brand), and Panasonic. Panasonic also shared concerns about possible retaliation by Google against its automotive and aviation businesses if it proceeded with FTVE installation on smart TVs."
Google declined to comment but Amazon told Protocol that the report by Indian regulators "and its findings speak for themselves".
- Source: Protocol, TechCrunch, CCI
