The contracts that Android manufacturers sign with Google to be able to include the Play Store and Google services on their devices prevent them from making devices that run a fork from Android.
Google Says Forking Android Would Hurt the Ecosystem, So Manufacturers must commit never to participate in the production of a device that performs a fork from Android.
Some regulatory bodies – in particular the EU – have decided that the “no forks” clause in the Android contract is not legal and that Google cannot punish manufacturers who violate this restriction. But the EU doesn’t control the entire world, so while Google can’t punish manufacturers within the EU, what about the rest of the world?
Google’s “anti-forks” clause has always been a big problem for Amazonwhose Fire OS is the fork Android #1. With most tech manufacturers involved in making Android phones, tablets, TVs, laptops, cars or watches, Amazon has always had to find someone willing to make Fire devices.
Amazon complained about this to the Indian Competition Commission last week, saying: “At least seven OEMs have indicated that their ability to enter into such a manufacturing relationship with Amazon is blocked entirely or significantly limited (eg, in terms of geographic reach) by their contractual commitments to Google.»
Now, a new report by Janko Roettgers from Protocol says Google is giving in to this restrictionAt least for televisions.
The report says that Google and Amazon have “come to terms” which allows Android manufacturers to build TVs that run Fire TV OS, and that TCL, Xiaomi and Hisense will offer products in both ecosystems.
While the manufacturers appear to have received Google’s approval to manufacture devices for a competitor, Google is still keeping things dark. Protocol says that “Officially, Google’s position has not changed”and the company has provided a statement indicating that these anti-fragmentation standards remain in effect.
Xiaomi and TCL’s Fire TVs were only announced for Europe, so maybe Google is enforcing different rules for each location. The proof will be on which devices are shipped to which countries.