What about rules like the below on Android? (or Chromebooks where you cannot even install alternative native applications)
> Devices may only be distributed if all Google Applications [listed elsewhere in the agreement] ... are pre-installed on the Device."
>The phone manufacturer must "preload all Google Applications approved in the applicable Territory ... on each device."
>The phone manufacturer must place "Google's Search and the Android Market Client icon [Google Play] ... at least on the panel immediately adjacent to the Default Home Screen," with "all other Google Applications ... no more than one level below the Phone Top."
>The phone manufacturer must set "Google Search ... as the default search provider for all Web search access points."
>If device owners hold down the physical “Home” button or “swipe up” from a digital home button or navigation bar, such actions should trigger Google Search.
>must provide access to a “collection” of 13 Google apps (Google Chrome, Google Maps, Google Drive, YouTube, Gmail, Google+, Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Google Play Books, Google Play Newsstand, Google Play Games, Google+ Photos and Google+ Hangouts).
How is that not "rammed down your throat" ?
Or do you really think Android users are "voluntarily installing" Google Play Newsstand?
Last I heard you can ship Android without any Google components, you just can't call it Android.
The real issue is popular apps like Snapchat and Maps that require Play Services. So manufacturers are never going to abandon the Goog for fear of their customers not being able to run the latest fad.
You mean AOSP, Android has a completely different meaning and expectations in general use.
Apart from apps that need the Play Services, lack of the Play Store is the biggest issue with shipping AOSP. That's why they forcibly bundle it with all other Google apps and default as Google search.
Chipset and device manufacturers, and carriers, hold all the cards though. Samsung and Amazon could conspire almost overnight to bring about a real contender and, failing something bold like that, Windows Phone has always been an option.
And yet, you can still not use Google Search or Google Play. If you disable Google packages, they will stay disabled (incidentally, I do have the Play Books/Games/Music/Movies apps disabled, so speaking from experience).
You do not have such choice with Windows 10 - it will send out your data without regards to you opting out.
> Devices may only be distributed if all Google Applications [listed elsewhere in the agreement] ... are pre-installed on the Device."
>The phone manufacturer must "preload all Google Applications approved in the applicable Territory ... on each device."
>The phone manufacturer must place "Google's Search and the Android Market Client icon [Google Play] ... at least on the panel immediately adjacent to the Default Home Screen," with "all other Google Applications ... no more than one level below the Phone Top."
>The phone manufacturer must set "Google Search ... as the default search provider for all Web search access points."
>If device owners hold down the physical “Home” button or “swipe up” from a digital home button or navigation bar, such actions should trigger Google Search.
>must provide access to a “collection” of 13 Google apps (Google Chrome, Google Maps, Google Drive, YouTube, Gmail, Google+, Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Google Play Books, Google Play Newsstand, Google Play Games, Google+ Photos and Google+ Hangouts).
How is that not "rammed down your throat" ?
Or do you really think Android users are "voluntarily installing" Google Play Newsstand?