The European Union (EU) charged Google on Wednesday with abusing the dominant position of its Android mobile operating system, opening a second front against the U.S. technology giant that could lead to large fines.

European Union anti-trust regulators said that by requiring mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and the Google Chrome browser, the U.S. company was denying consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and stifling innovation.

Google is already facing EU charges over the promotion of its shopping service in Internet searches at the expense of rival services, in a case that has dragged on since late 2010 despite three attempts to resolve the issues.

The stakes are higher for Google in the Android case as it made about $11 billion last year from advertising sales on Android phones through its apps such as Maps, Search and Gmail, according to estimates by financial analyst Richard Windsor.

“A competitive mobile Internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe,” European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

“We believe that Google’s behaviour denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players,” she said.

Internet Explorer-browser maker Microsoft Corp declined to comment.

Suppliers of browsers including Mozilla, which is behind Firefox, as well as Apple, with its Safari browser, and Norway’s Opera Software were not immediately available to comment.

The European Commission said about 80 per cent of smart mobile devices in Europe and the world run on Android, the operating system developed by Google.

Google, which has 12 weeks to respond to the charges, said in a statement that Android was a remarkable system based on open-source software and open innovation.

“We look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers,” Google's general counsel Kent Walker said.

FairSearch, the lead complainant, said Google had launched Android as an open source project, but was now hindering the development of versions that might lead to new operating systems able to compete with Android.

The Commission alleges Google has breached EU anti-trust rules by making phone manufacturers pre-install its search function and Chrome browser.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/business/google-faces-eu-charges-over-android/article8500452.ece

Bharti Airtel, the largest telecom services provider, is mulling the sale of a 5 per cent stake in its tower unit, Infratel, to raise close to Rs. 4,000 crore, according to sources.

Bharti presently owns 71.7 per cent in Infratel. The tower unit had a network of over 80,000 telecom towers as of December. The proceeds from the transaction, which will be an open market deal, are likely to be used to cut the company’s debt which stood at Rs.78,816 crore as at end December.

The company’s spokesperson declined to comment.

source:thehindu.com

Market benchmark Sensex recaptured the crucial 26,000-mark by climbing over 219 points in early trade today as investors engaged in widening their bets amid firm global cues.

The 30-share barometer advanced by 219.02 points or 0.85 per cent to 26,063.20. The gauge gained 1,170.34 points in the previous five sessions.

Also, the NSE Nifty shot up by 53.15 points or 0.67 per cent to 7,967.90.

Prominent gainers were ICICI Bank, SBI, Tata Motors, GAIL, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, ONGC, HDFC Ltd, Adani Ports, BHEL, Coal India, NTPC and RIl, surging by up to 5.40 per cent.

However, share of Wipro plunged 6.22 per cent to Rs 563.95 after company said its consolidated net profit dipped 1.6 per cent to Rs 2,235 crore for the quarter ended March 31.

Brokers said investors have been widening bets due to positive macroeconomic data and above—normal monsoon forecast.

Moreover, a firm trend in other Asian markets following a strong performance on Wall Street and rebound in oil prices, influenced sentiment here.

In regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 1.69 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei gained 1.95 per cent in early trade today. Shanghai Composite was trading 0.17 per cent higher.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.24 per cent higher in yesterday’s trade.

source:thehindu.com/business/markets/sensex-regains-26klevel/article8503111.ece

Virat Kohli's knock against Australia is inviting comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar (on Sunday, TOI had carried a graphic, 'Will Kohli go past his idol?'). But Virat's dominance in T20I, and the huge chasm between him and other players, is more reminiscent of the legendary Sir Don's feats.

1. Kohli averages 55.4 in T20 internationals (T20I), the highest in the world.


Aussie Aaron Finch is a distant second (39). Chris Gayle, the 'world boss' of T20, averages 36.8 (min 20 innings)

2. Kohli averages 92 in T20I chases. In wins, this number skyrockets further to 123


3. India have never lost a T20I in which Kohli has been not out


4.Among players who have scored more than 1,000 runs, only Kohli and Faf du Plessis have never been dismissed for a duck

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

India's Largest Blockbuster' already thriving with records, added another feather to its cap. Bagging the Best Feature Film at the 63rd National Awards, Bahubali made history by becoming the first Telugu movie ever to win the honour. The movie also bagged the Best Special Effects award.

Meanwhile, Kanche bagged an award for the Best Telugu Film in the regional awards segment. Interestingly, Krish Jagarlamudi, who directed Kanche, congratulated the team of Bahubali before mentioning anything about his own movie. T-town celebrated the achievement with with congratulatory posts on social media.

Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan which was written by KV Vijayendra Prasad, who also wrote Bahubali, was awarded the Best Popular Film award. However it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani that ruled the roost sweeping 4 awards — Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (both for Tanvi Azmi), Best Cinematography (Sudeep Chaterjee) Best Choreography (Remo D Souza for Deewani Mastani).

Amitabh Bacchan and Kangana Ranaut won the Best Actor and Actress awards for their performances in Piku and Tanu weds Manu respectively. Best Debut Director was awarded to the Hyderabad-based, Neeraj Ghaywan, for movie Masaan.

The latest trip of Narendra Modi to the US is going to turn out fruitful very soon.. The Indian Prime Minister and US President Barack Obama on Wednesday have formally declared to harden the Indo-US Trade and would very soon setup a joint venture to boost up this investment.