Many are aware that Android, the open source operating system that open for anyone to use, is now the leading smartphone OS. Two search engine providers in Korea appear to think this has shut them out of the exploding smartphone market.
In its complaint, NHN said that Google, “through a marketing partnership with major smartphone producers,” had unfairly created “a new ecosystem” by offering the Android system free as a way to control the market.
Google denied the accusations, saying in a statement that “carrier partners are free to decide which applications and services to include on their Android phones.”
South Korean consumers are famous as early adopters, and most new phone buyers here are opting for smartphones. About two-thirds of all smartphones sold in South Korea last year were Android-based.
The Korea Communications Commission said last month that more than 10 million smartphones were registered in South Korea. In December 2009, 800,000 smartphones were in use.
Full story. I am sure we will hear more on this topic.
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