Comments on: Google, China & Android

By: China Unicom Launching Samsung Saturn After Dropping Google Search | Android Phone Fans

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:24:46 +0000

[...] we heard of China Unicom they were busy getting all tied up in the China vs. Google debacle and were seen removing Google Search from their Android handsets. But just like AT&T, China [...]

By: Motorola Androids To Feature Bing | Android Phone Fans

Motorola Androids To Feature Bing | Android Phone Fans — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:04:05 +0000

[...] leaves the door open for expansion in other countries. Utilizing Bing in China makes sense given Google’s current standoff with the country’s search censorship, but what does it mean in the long run [...]

By: john

john — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:11:45 +0000

Sorry, I did not really read that well.

By: monchiron

monchiron — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:40:20 +0000

IMO, Google is not the only one that wants to stop Google-experience phone from launching in China. So does the China’s government. (to stop the propaganda of Google’s “dont be evil” statement, and also a great opportunity to promote their home-brewed Search engine & apps.) So, Unicom is probably just conforming to both parties by not launching Android phone.

The launch will only be postponed until Moto & Samsung finds alternative to Google Experience apps. Google just don’t have power to stop Android from launching in China, because Android is Open Source! Unless Google or OHA decided to add a restriction of “Open only to country with Freedom of Speech like USA”.

However, a question still bothers me. Doesn’t Google knew about all these censoring when they enter the market? Why bother to object now? because of Hacking? I doubt China is the ONLY place that Google got hacked… This makes me think Google has a second agenda on their back.

Besides, it’s never wise to put/force your own Value on someone else’s culture. That’s what causes the war and conflict in the past and now, isn’t it?

I dont think Chinese government gonna change unless a revolution begin. So, is Google stirring a civil war? Or they just don’t understand China’s position. China used the same tactic to stabilize China since their last civil war, and i doubt they will put that to risk due to Google.

By: william

william — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:20:21 +0000

I don’t think Google does not censor its contents for other countries. As I know Google in other country will actively HELP the other country government, e.g. give some private data of some people. But why just fell bad in China? In fact, most of the Chinese people very very love Google, but that is not to say Google can “Do Evil” in China. If Google is a responsible company, please serve/assist with your best. But if it is not, back is also Ok, Baidu and Bing is also a best search engine.

By: fupadroid

fupadroid — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:52:53 +0000

“we know how google feels about censorship”. too bad their feelings dont out weigh their want for market. google is indeed in china. and it does censor things like “constitution” and who knows what else. dont worry america, we will be next to join the censorship club. know why? rich people want to control us and know information about us. and they will get, ALL OF IT. sooner or later. because they own the fuckin place and no one will stand up to them…

By: Nexus Mother ####ing One Censors Naughty Words | Android Phone Fans

Nexus Mother ####ing One Censors Naughty Words | Android Phone Fans — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:16:08 +0000

[...] There should AT LEAST be an on/off switch for this, don’t you think? Afterall, we know how Google feels about censorship. [...]

By: Chinese Androids Getting Baidu Search Alternative | Android Phone Fans

Chinese Androids Getting Baidu Search Alternative | Android Phone Fans — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:52:27 +0000

[...] is a ton of tension and lots of unanswered questions in the Google, China & Android issue. We’re not sure what this means in terms of the Motorola and Samsung phones that Google is [...]

By: Butler

Butler — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:05:41 +0000

The fact that google gave in to the demands of the Chinese government was a mistake int he first place. Should businesses (and indeed governments) turn a blind eye to the terrible human rights record the country has in order to tap in to the market. China needs business, it needs the foreign investment.

I say well done google, I hope other follow suit.

With regard to Android, really they should let that be released just without google stuff on it. A fair solution.

By: swehes

swehes — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:19:17 +0000

the statement “organize the world’s information” makes me think of the Riddler in Batman. “If information is power, then I am a GOD.”
Maybe Google has a god complex? Hmmmmm…

By: vieri

vieri — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:02:11 +0000

In china,lots people kown how to cross the GFW and the GFW can’t keep all thing out of China’s Internet.
the GFW is not so powerful , people can find many ways to cross it to access youtube ..twitter..and some elses,the real google fans won’t leave google.
but it’s a problem to cross the gfw on the android device…if my htc magic can’t connect market..oh..my god..

I’m a Chinese,my English is not very well.sorry..

By: Terran

Terran — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:43:15 +0000

@ kevin, is it very possible. if google does pull all the stops and completely backs out of china entirely, I hope other businesses follow this example. just think what would happen if all the major companies stated above pulled out of china. it would send a HUGE message. unfortunately my gut tells me this won’t happen and they will be stuck with the same restrictions on information.

By: Simon

Simon — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:32:55 +0000

I say give China Android, after all it’s open to anyone… just turn off http://www.google.cn and let them use regular http://www.google.com like other countries.
If China decides to filter google.com then it’s their own choice.

Bing and Yahoo will eventually have the same problem with China if they take over the Chinese search market.

By: william

william — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:46:54 +0000

@Matt Wicker, it is so strange that why do you say “google.com is blocked by the Chinese government”? If you want to say something to China or other community, and if you also have some time, please go to the country, listen with you ears, look with your eyes, and tell the truth, both the bad news and good news.This will be convincingly.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:38:45 +0000

@ Terran
Thanks for pointing that out. I’m betting that’s not what Rob meant to say, but was poor word order. I’m sure Pieter and I were both considering the earlier statement when Rob states: “I think Google is doing a great thing, but it also opens up the door for Microsoft’s Bing or Yahoo to capitalize on the huge Chinese population using their search engine’s instead…”

More to the point of the discussion…Could Google spark some sort of Chinese Revolution.

Point 1-Google is well-known to everyone who is online, event he Chinese. If Google and China can’t resolve their differences, and Google sticks to their principles and pulls out, many noticable changes will occur. Google runs a venerable Search Engine, a host of Online Services (Google Docs, GMail, Calendar, Voice, etc.), a solid Web Browser, an Operating System, and supports the entire Android framework. Take those things away, and the average Chinese person may begin to wonder what caused the void. Sure, the void can in large part be filled, but it’s the QUESTION that may drive the population to seek the truth. And despite the Great Firewall of China, outside information will find its way into the country.

It could create mistrust and resentment of the Chinese Government. And, like a single domino (and I’m being realistic, Google is just a domino compared to the country of China), it could cause a chain reaction. But it depends if that domino is lined up next to another domino. If not, then Google falls in China, and that is the end of the story.