Google Limits on Access to Android Auto May Breach EU Rules

The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
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Google Limits on Access to Android Auto May Breach EU Rules

The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

An adviser to Europe's top court on Thursday sided with Italy's antitrust authority, saying Alphabet unit Google's refusal to allow an e-mobility app developed by Enel access to its Android Auto platform may breach competition rules.
"Google's refusal to provide third-party access to Android Auto platform may be in breach of competition rules," Advocate General Laila Medina at the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) said.
The Italian antitrust watchdog fined Google 102 million euro ($113.18 million) in 2021 for favoring Google Maps while blocking Enel's JuicePass on Android Auto, a software allowing drivers to navigate with maps on their car dashboards and send messages while behind the wheel, Reuters reported.
CJEU judges, who will rule in the coming months, usually follow the majority of such non-binding opinions.
The case is C-233/23 Alphabet and Others.
 



Apple to Switch to OLED Displays for All Upcoming iPhones from 2025, Nikkei Reports

(FILES) This photo taken on October 30, 2023 shows people visiting an Apple store in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
(FILES) This photo taken on October 30, 2023 shows people visiting an Apple store in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
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Apple to Switch to OLED Displays for All Upcoming iPhones from 2025, Nikkei Reports

(FILES) This photo taken on October 30, 2023 shows people visiting an Apple store in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
(FILES) This photo taken on October 30, 2023 shows people visiting an Apple store in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

Apple will use organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays for all iPhone models sold in 2025 and later, moving entirely away from liquid crystal displays (LCDs), Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

Television and smartphone makers are adopting OLED displays over LCDs for the former's ability to deliver more vivid colours and sharper contrast, ideal for high-definition videos.

The planned move will exclude Japan's Sharp Corp and Japan Display from Apple's handset business, Nikkei said, Reuters reported.

Apple has begun placing orders for OLED displays for the upcoming iPhone SE model from China's BOE Technology and South Korea's LG Display, according to Nikkei.

Sharp and Japan Display had a combined 70% share of iPhone displays about a decade ago but had supplied LCDs only for the iPhone SE recently and do not mass-produce OLED displays for smartphones, the report added.

Apple first used OLED panels in the iPhone X, unveiled in 2017, and has since switched to OLEDs for premium iPhone models.

The company brought OLED screens to the latest generation iPad Pro models launched in May.

Sharp, Japan Display and LG Display declined to comment in response to Reuters' queries. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.