Tech Patrol

Etiket: google

  • # Google Pays Samsung a Fortune to Make Gemini the Default AI, Raising Antitrust Concerns

    ## Google Pays Samsung a Fortune to Make Gemini the Default AI, Raising Antitrust Concerns

    Google is reportedly paying Samsung an “enormous sum of money” each month to preinstall its Gemini AI app on Samsung devices, new testimony from Google’s antitrust trial reveals. This arrangement, highlighted by *Bloomberg*, raises questions about Google’s competitive practices following a ruling that its search engine constitutes an illegal monopoly.

    Peter Fitzgerald, Google’s vice president of platforms and device partnerships, testified that these payments to Samsung began in January. This timing is significant, coming after Google was found to have violated antitrust law in part due to similar deals with Apple, Samsung, and other companies to secure default search engine placement. When Samsung launched its Galaxy S25 series in January, Gemini became the default AI assistant upon long-pressing the power button, relegating Samsung’s own Bixby assistant.

    *The Information* further reports that other companies, including Perplexity and Microsoft, also approached Samsung with proposals to preinstall their AI assistants. However, DOJ lawyers pointed out that Google’s letters attempting to amend its agreements with phone manufacturers were only sent recently, just ahead of the trial. Internal slides also indicated that Google considered more restrictive agreements requiring partners to preinstall Gemini alongside Search and Chrome.

    According to *Bloomberg*, the Gemini deal is a two-year agreement that includes fixed monthly payments and a percentage of Gemini subscription revenue for Samsung. The exact figure of the fixed monthly payment, referred to as an “enormous sum” by DOJ lawyer David Dahlquist, remains undisclosed.

    The outcome of these hearings could have significant consequences for Google. The DOJ aims to potentially prevent Google from entering into future default placement deals, force the sale of Chrome, and require Google to license the data powering Google Search. Google maintains that it should only be compelled to abandon default placement deals.

    This situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny of Google’s business practices and the potential ramifications of its dominance in the search and AI landscape. The DOJ’s efforts to reshape Google’s market power could dramatically alter the future of the tech industry.

    **Correction (April 26th, 2025):** *This article has been updated to reflect that Google shares Gemini subscription revenue with Samsung, not ad revenue, as originally reported by Bloomberg.*

  • # Google’s Find My Device Network: One Year Later, Has It Finally Found Its Footing?

    ## Google’s Find My Device Network: One Year Later, Has It Finally Found Its Footing?

    A year after its less-than-stellar debut, Google’s Find My Device network is under the microscope. Launched with the promise of creating a robust Android-powered alternative to Apple’s AirTag, the initial rollout was hampered by a slow start and underwhelming reviews. But a year is an eternity in the tech world, and Google has consistently pledged improvements. So, has the Find My Device network finally lived up to its potential?

    According to recent testing, the answer is a qualified yes. The experiment involved evaluating the latest trackers from the primary manufacturers utilizing Google’s network: Pebblebee, Chipolo, and Motorola. Notably, Google doesn’t currently offer its own Pixel or Nest-branded tracker, and Samsung continues to rely on its SmartThings Find network for its SmartTags. For comparative analysis, an Apple AirTag and a Tile tracker were also included to benchmark Google’s performance against established competitors.

    The results indicate a significant improvement over the past year. In optimal conditions – think bustling urban environments with stationary trackers – Google’s network holds its own against both Apple and Tile. The technology proves reliable in densely populated areas where signal strength and network density are higher.

    However, the story changes when conditions become more challenging. The investigation revealed a notable performance gap in rural settings and when tracking moving objects. In these scenarios, the network’s limitations become apparent, and the competition maintains a distinct advantage.

    While Google’s Find My Device network has made strides in the past year, it still has ground to cover to truly rival the capabilities of Apple’s AirTag and Tile, especially in more demanding tracking scenarios. The network has improved and it now performs just as well in ideal conditions, but there’s still a gap in tougher environments. To read the full analysis, check out The Verge’s complete report.

  • # Google’ın Yapay Zeka Devi DeepMind’ın İngiltere Ekibi Sendikalaşma Girişiminde

    ## Google’ın Yapay Zeka Devi DeepMind’ın İngiltere Ekibi Sendikalaşma Girişiminde

    Google’ın yapay zeka alanındaki önemli birimi DeepMind’ın İngiltere’deki ekibinde sendikalaşma hareketleri baş gösterdiği bildiriliyor. Financial Times’ın haberine göre, Londra merkezli yaklaşık 300 DeepMind çalışanı, Communication Workers Union (CWU) çatısı altında birleşmek için harekete geçti.

    Bu girişimin temelinde, DeepMind çalışanlarının Google’ın web sitesinden yapay zekayı silah veya gözetim amaçlı kullanmama sözünü kaldırması konusundaki memnuniyetsizlikleri yatıyor. Bunun yanı sıra, şirketin İsrail ordusuyla olan iş birliği de çalışanlar arasında rahatsızlık yaratıyor. Özellikle, 1.2 milyar dolarlık bulut bilişim sözleşmesi olan “Project Nimbus,” Google’ın diğer birimlerinde de protestolara yol açmıştı.

    Financial Times’a konuşan bir kaynak, ekip üyelerinin “kandırılmış” hissettiğini belirtirken, en az beş DeepMind çalışanın bu nedenlerle istifa ettiği de gelen bilgiler arasında. DeepMind’ın İngiltere’deki toplam çalışan sayısı yaklaşık 2.000 civarında.

    Google sözcüsü, Financial Times’a yaptığı açıklamada, şirketlerinin “tüm çalışanlarıyla yapıcı ve açık bir diyaloğu teşvik ettiğini” ifade etti.

    Daha önce, Google ve ana şirketi Alphabet’in yaklaşık 200 çalışanı da sendikalaştıklarını duyurmuştu. Ancak, bu sendika Google iş gücünün çok küçük bir bölümünü temsil ettiği için toplu pazarlık yapma yeteneğinden yoksundu.

    Bu son girişim, teknoloji sektöründe etik ve sosyal sorumluluk konularının çalışanlar tarafından ne kadar önemsendiğini bir kez daha gözler önüne seriyor. Google’ın bu sendikalaşma girişimine nasıl yanıt vereceği ve bunun şirketin gelecekteki politikalarını nasıl etkileyeceği merak konusu.

  • # DeepMind UK Staff Eye Unionization Over Ethical AI Concerns

    ## DeepMind UK Staff Eye Unionization Over Ethical AI Concerns

    Around 300 London-based employees of Google’s AI powerhouse, DeepMind, are reportedly taking steps towards unionization. According to a report in the Financial Times, the team is seeking representation by the Communication Workers Union, citing growing discontent over Google’s ethical stances on AI development and its business dealings.

    The move stems from concerns surrounding Google’s recent decision to remove a public pledge against utilizing AI for weapons or surveillance technologies. This, coupled with worries about the company’s involvement with the Israeli military, including a significant $1.2 billion cloud computing contract, has fueled a sense of unease among the DeepMind team. These concerns mirror previous protests within Google, highlighting the sensitive ethical considerations surrounding AI development.

    Sources speaking to the Financial Times revealed that some team members feel “duped” by these developments. The report also indicates that at least five DeepMind employees have resigned, explicitly citing these ethical dilemmas as the reason for their departure. DeepMind employs approximately 2,000 individuals in the United Kingdom, signifying that the unionization effort represents a significant portion of the workforce.

    In response to the report, a Google spokesperson told the FT that the company encourages “constructive and open dialogue with all of our employees.”

    This isn’t the first unionization attempt within Google and its parent company, Alphabet. Back in 2021, a smaller group of around 200 employees formed a union. However, its limited size meant it lacked the collective bargaining power to significantly influence company policy. Whether this new effort by a larger segment of the DeepMind team will achieve different results remains to be seen, but it underscores the growing employee activism around the ethical implications of AI development and deployment within major tech companies.

  • # Google Pulls the Plug on Early Nest Thermostats, Leaving Users in the Cold

    ## Google Pulls the Plug on Early Nest Thermostats, Leaving Users in the Cold

    Google is ending software support for its first and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats, released in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and the European model from 2014. As of October 25th, owners of these early devices will lose the ability to remotely control their thermostats through the Google Home and Nest apps, effectively removing the “smart” from these smart home devices.

    In a blog post, Google stated that while users will still be able to adjust temperatures and modify schedules directly on the thermostat itself, remote control and Google Assistant integration will cease to function. This means no more adjusting the temperature from your phone or voice commands for these legacy devices.

    This news is likely to frustrate users who invested in the Nest ecosystem early on. While the core heating and cooling functionality remains, the convenience and remote control features that made these thermostats appealing are being phased out. This also highlights a growing concern in the smart home space: the long-term viability of connected devices. How long can users expect support and updates for these increasingly integrated appliances?

    Adding to the shakeup, Google also announced that it has no plans to release new Nest thermostats in Europe. According to the company, the diverse heating systems and specific hardware/software requirements in Europe make it challenging to develop a one-size-fits-all solution. The 3rd generation Nest Learning Thermostat (2015) and the Nest Thermostat E (2018) will continue to be sold in Europe while supplies last.

    To mitigate customer dissatisfaction, Google is offering discounts on newer Nest thermostats. US customers can receive $130 off the fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat, while Canadians are eligible for $160 off. European customers will receive a 50 percent discount on the Tado Smart Thermostat X.

    The original Nest thermostats were developed by an independent company led by former Apple executive Tony Fadell. Google acquired Nest in 2014 for $3.2 billion, absorbing it into its growing smart home ecosystem. While 14 years of service may seem like a reasonable lifespan for a tech product, the lack of open-sourcing the hardware raises questions about the future of these older devices, leaving users to ponder the longevity of their smart home investments.

  • # Google’dan Erken Dönem Nest Termostat Kullanıcılarına Üzücü Haber: Yazılım Desteği Sonlandırılıyor

    ## Google’dan Erken Dönem Nest Termostat Kullanıcılarına Üzücü Haber: Yazılım Desteği Sonlandırılıyor

    Google, erken dönem Nest termostat kullanıcılarını üzecek bir karar aldı. Şirket, 2011’de piyasaya sürülen ilk nesil Nest Learning Thermostat ve bir yıl sonra gelen ikinci nesil model için yazılım güncellemelerini sonlandıracağını duyurdu. Bu karar, 2014’te piyasaya sürülen Avrupa Nest Learning Thermostat’ı da etkiliyor.

    Google, yaptığı açıklamada, 25 Ekim’den itibaren bu cihazlar için yazılım güncellemelerinin ve Google Home ve Nest uygulamaları üzerinden genel desteğin kesileceğini belirtti. Bu, kullanıcıların termostatlarını telefonlarından veya Google Asistan aracılığıyla uzaktan kontrol edemeyecekleri anlamına geliyor. Ancak şirket, kullanıcıların sıcaklığı ayarlayabileceğini ve programları doğrudan termostat üzerinden değiştirebileceğini vurguluyor.

    Bu kararın kullanıcıları hayal kırıklığına uğratacağı açık. Özellikle de uzun yıllardır Nest donanımını kullananlar için bu durum, cihazların cazibesini ve kullanım kolaylığını önemli ölçüde azaltacak. Her ne kadar temel işlevsellik bozulmasa da, akıllı termostatı uzaktan kontrol etme özelliği ortadan kalkmış olacak.

    **Avrupa’ya Yeni Nest Termostat Yok**

    Google’dan gelen bir diğer önemli haber ise, şirketin Avrupa’da yeni Nest termostatları çıkarma planının olmaması. Şirket, “Avrupa’daki ısıtma sistemleri benzersiz ve çok çeşitli donanım ve yazılım gereksinimlerine sahip. Bu da farklı evler için ürün geliştirmeyi zorlaştırıyor” açıklamasında bulundu. Mevcut stoklar tükenene kadar 3. nesil Nest Learning Thermostat (2015) ve Nest Thermostat E (2018) Avrupa’da satılmaya devam edecek.

    **Akıllı Cihazların Ömrü Ne Kadar?**

    Bu durum, akıllı ev cihazlarına yönelik gerçek bir endişeyi gündeme getiriyor. Şirketler, giderek daha fazla cihaza ekranlar yerleştirirken, bu cihazların ne kadar süreyle akıllı kalacağı sorusu önem kazanıyor. 14 yıl, bu tür cihazlar için makul bir ömür mü? Google’ın donanımı açık kaynak yapma gibi bir planı da bulunmuyor.

    **Google’dan Telafi Girişimi**

    Google, bu kararın yarattığı olası tepkileri azaltmak amacıyla bir telafi girişiminde bulunuyor. ABD’de dördüncü nesil Nest Learning Thermostat için 130 dolar, Kanada’da aynı cihaz için 160 dolar indirim sunulurken, Avrupa’da ise Nest ürün gamının yakında sona erecek olması nedeniyle Tado Smart Thermostat X’te %50 indirim fırsatı sunuluyor.

    İlk Nest termostatlar, şirketin Apple’ın eski yöneticisi Tony Fadell liderliğindeki bağımsız bir marka olduğu dönemde piyasaya sürülmüştü. Google, Nest’i 2014 yılında 3,2 milyar dolara satın almıştı.