Google is paying Samsung a hefty sum to ensure its Gemini AI assistant is prominently featured on Samsung Android devices, even though they’re not Google-branded phones. This information came to light through testimony in the ongoing Google antitrust case. According to Google’s platform and device partnership VP Peter Fitzgerald, the deal involves Google paying Samsung for every device preloaded with Gemini and for heavily featuring it in the One UI Android skin. Samsung also receives a portion of the advertising revenue generated from Gemini searches and other actions. The contract is set to last for at least two years, although the exact terms and amount remain undisclosed.
The Deal’s Implications
This partnership makes sense for Samsung, which has been emphasizing AI capabilities in its latest Galaxy devices. For Google, this move is familiar territory, as the company is known to pay Apple billions annually to maintain its search as the default on iPhones and other devices. However, such practices have previously landed Google in regulatory trouble, particularly when it comes to requiring phone manufacturers to load Google services to access the Google Play Store.
User Reaction and Future Implications
Users have shown dissatisfaction with Gemini, as it populates Google Search with answers of questionable utility and replaces long-standing integrations like Google Assistant for smart device management. Many are now seeking alternatives. The outcome of the antitrust verdicts remains uncertain, with the US Department of Justice pushing for Google to potentially divest itself of the Chrome browser and its advertising business. Such a move could significantly impact Google’s standing in the tech industry.
About the Author: Michael Crider is a Staff Writer at PCWorld with a decade of experience in technology journalism, covering a wide range of topics from various companies including Apple and ZTE.
