talldayo
7 months ago
> How does Alphabet sell Chrome as a free and open source browser?
Chrome is not Open Source - Chromium is. My interpretation is that Google may continue the employment of Chromium developers but may not sell or offer the Chrome product that is made using Chromium's components. Someone else will own the Chrome brand and browser, and could even change it to another browser engine if they wanted.
Now, why this is a smart remediation is beyond me. But the actual implications seem to be pretty well-drawn here.
> If Chrome is sold, they could still get the same Google integration?
Even without Chrome being sold, Google already integrates as default for millions of non-Chrome users. It's the default search engine on Firefox and the default Spotlight provider on Apple platforms. Google's profitability will be fine if the DOJ won't go after AdSense - Chrome itself is probably a net loss for Google anyhow. Selling Chrome just helps cement Google's future as a services company.