Reports indicate Google plans a special Android version for India that would omit some of the company’s built‑in services. An industry insider shared specifics with the 9to5Google team, providing what appears to be a draft of India’s Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (IMADA).
The document outlines two distinct paths for smartphone makers. The first path would let vendors skip the full suite of Google apps on certain devices. In this scenario, Google would still offer the Google Play store as the primary Google product, while manufacturers could choose to pre‑install additional Google applications if they see fit.
The second path would resemble the traditional approach, with devices arriving preloaded with Google’s branded applications just as seen on Google‑certified devices today. Until now, this second option has been the standard in India.
There is no public timetable for when IMADA might take effect, and observers note that this model could potentially spread to other markets where Google holds a strong presence.
The possible shift comes amid regulatory pressure in India. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a fine of $176.8 million on Google in late 2022 for allegedly abusing its dominant position within the Android ecosystem, a move cited by many as a catalyst for reconsidering app pre‑installation norms.
Earlier reports from socialbites.ca echoed commentary about technology platforms and market dynamics, noting discussions around how various systems influence user choices across Android and iOS devices.