https://wccftech.com/google-says-its-going-to-start-charging-oems-in-europe-for-android-apps/

Google said Tuesday in a blog post today that it will no longer require EU-based mobile-device makers that use Android to accept a bundle of the company’s apps. The downside for device manufacturers is that Google will now charge for many of its most popular apps according to its new “paid licensing agreement” for smartphones and tablets. The blog post did not specify which Google software it would sell when the licensing program takes effect on October 29.

Google will sell licenses to Europe-based consumer-electronic companies for a package that includes the Google Play app store, Gmail YouTube and Google Maps. The shift to paid licenses in Europe appears designed to appease regulators more than to a desire by Google to generate new revenue. Google will also offer commercial licenses to European companies that wish to pre-install Google Search and the company’s Chrome browser.