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DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

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Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#891

Post by [deleted] »

criddell wrote: post #713
throwaway2037 wrote: post #706

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You raise some very important points. Specifically, this one: > browsers aren't really a self funding product I feel the same. I also feel the same about a modern C library and C compiler (and C++, if you like). They are essential to build any modern system and applications. Yet, those are also (mostly) no longer self-funding products. What do you think will happen if Google is forced to divest Chrome?

> What do you think will happen if Google is forced to divest Chrome? The new Chrome company will struggle for a year or two then Apple will try to buy it but lose out after Oracle submits a higher bid.

[deleted]

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#892

Post by sebastiennight »

GoblinSlayer wrote: post #827
pjc50 wrote: post #548

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is this: - the browser is undeniably critical as everyone's window through which they view the online world; - the user gains a huge amount of value by a browser being integrated into the OS, webviews in other applications, etc - browsers aren't really a self funding product - having a single for-profit US advertising company control everyone's view of the online world, however slightly (e.g. by obstructi…

>browsers aren't really a self funding product You can use Firefox 3, programs don't rot.

Not really true...

In this specific case I'd be willing to bet that Firefox 3 probably doesn't handle current HTTPS/TLS standards and might not be able to browser the modern Internet at all (let alone display modern webpages, HTML5 video players, single-page web apps, WebRTC live calls, etc.)

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#893

Post by niutech »

PaulHoule wrote: post #626
snapcaster wrote: post #615

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Open source browsers already exist though

Many forks of Chromium, yes. Most if the rest of them pass the “open source” test but would struggle on the “browser” side.

Zen Browser, Floorp, Mullvad Browser, Pale Moon, Epiphany aren't "browsers"?

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#894

Post by niutech »

azinman2 wrote: post #870
niutech wrote: post #589

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How about Servo and Ladybird?

Servo is dead but Mozilla is subsidized by Google. Ladybird is not a real serious contender but more a hobby project with effectively 0% market share.

Servo is revived: https://blogs.igalia.com/mrego/servo-revival-2023-2024/

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#895

Post by r00fus »

hilbert42 wrote: post #258
st3fan wrote: post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The only reason I still use Chrome is because I already use other Google products and they integrate well together. And that is exactly why Chrome should be broken up/out. It is unfair competition. And you say there are many other well working options out there but that is simply not true. Googles web applications work best on Chrome and often break on non Chrome browsers. Mostly because of changes to those web app…

"And that is exactly why Chrome should be broken up/out." Exactly, we saw this with MS's IE 2—3 decades ago. That governments didn't learn from this and let it repeat with Chrome is so damn annoying.

There are lots of MSFTers who now work for Google. They just relocated from the Microsoft office in Palo Alto to the Google one down the road.

Same people = same mistakes.

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#896

Post by r00fus »

tirant wrote: post #468
typeofhuman wrote: post #281

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This would be like if Tesla made the roads and the roads could recharge batteries but only to Tesla vehicles and you as a Tesla owner saying this is not anti-competitive.

Even as a non Tesla owner I would say that’s not anti competitive if every other OEM is also able to make their own roads, which is exactly the case with Chrome. There’s multiple browsers, and people might choose Chrome because it has a better ecosystem around it. That means it’s a better product for those people.

Explain to me how there can be two roads occupying the same space? A road network is a natural monopoly.

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#897

Post by ncruces »

sdh9 wrote: post #743
fransje26 wrote: post #683

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> One could ask, "How is Apple a Monopoly, and do they abuse that position?" I opened my local configurator to buy a 13" M3 MacBook Air. Memory, update from 16GB to 24GB -> +230€ SSD, update from 256GB to 2TB -> +920€ Textbook monopolistic price gouging.

You’re free to purchase a Dell, then.

Not if you work for a local council or whatever, and need to develop an iOS app for some reason.

Then you pay, because they basically force you to use their hardware, software, connectors, formats, billing services, etc every step of the way.

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#899

Post by mulmen »

graeme wrote: post #230
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> only reason I still use Chrome is because I already use other Google products and they integrate well together This is the point. Google's products integrate with Chrome better than non-Google products. Including its ad platform.

But where is the consumer benefit?

Innovation. Google has no competition and so has no incentive to innovate for consumer benefit.

Re: DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome

#900

Post by timbit42 »

citizenpaul wrote: post #46

A much better decision would have been to require them to fund some amount of the various open source competitors so there can be alternatives. Makes as much sense as forcing them to sell a thing that has no market. "Selling" off chrome is probably not even really possible in any reasonable business way.

It could be spun off into a separate company, or Microsoft could buy it seeing Edge uses the engine.
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