This is what browsing in Chrome would be like if it was no longer owned by Google, according to experts
Google would have to sell Chrome and spin off Android into a new company to avoid antitrust charges, but users would suffer the consequences of the judge’s decision. Chrome OS could also face significant changes.
The US has charged Google with antitrust, and one of the judge’s first rulings could change the way we browse the internet forever. The tech giant will be forced to sell Chrome and spin off Android into a new company.
The US Department of Justice has been putting pressure on Google ever since the ruling by Amit Mehta, the judge handling the company’s antitrust case, came in. The agency will also bar Google from launching a new browser for at least five years, which is one solution Google could find if that happens.
The experience on Android devices will change, especially for the high-dependency Pixel series phones due to greater integration with Chrome.
- Devices running Chrome OS will be the main affected.
Chrome is more than just a web browser, Google has made it the foundation for devices that run Chrome OS. This operating system is found on Pixel phones, computers, and tablets.
Chrome OS has a simple interface with web apps, although Google is increasingly betting on traditional desktop apps to improve productivity. Devices running this operating system are an option for budget users who are not looking for a very powerful device.
Google has not confirmed what consequences selling its browser to Chrome OS would have. If expectations are met, the company that buys Google Chrome would be responsible for continuing to support thousands of Chrome OS devices, but there is a chance that it will decide not to do so.
- Goodbye Google Chrome.. The US Department of Justice asks Google to get rid of its browser
Tech giant Google will be the main casualty if the worst predictions come true. Google designed many of its devices to work with Chrome, and those specifications no longer make sense with a different operating system, and there could be serious compatibility issues.
If Chrome OS continues to evolve naturally, it will have to compete with other operating systems with more stable development schedules. The company that buys this browser will have a hard time staying ahead of the competition.
- Android will also suffer the consequences of Chrome's sale.
Chrome is built into Android devices as the default web browser; other mobile and tablet functions will also go through this search engine, such as app registration. If Google sells one of its most popular products, it’s very likely that Android will have to find a new default browser.
The Chrome selling problem goes even further: some older Android phones may have hardware compatibility issues with the new browser.
The DOJ's proposal is still in its early stages, so it's possible that Google's terms could be modified or even pulled from Chrome altogether.
Google View has criticized these measures, claiming that they are too extreme and could even be illegal. The situation could take a radical turn with the arrival of Donald Trump in the government in January: Google’s monopoly is not a priority for the future president.