Google to charge Android partners up to US$40 per device for apps: source

New Google Pixel 3 smartphones are displayed in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. Google introduced two new smartphones in its relentless push to increase the usage of its digital services and promote its Android software that already powers most of the mobile devices in the world.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

BRUSSELS/SAN FRANCISCO: Alphabet Inc's Google will charge hardware firms up to US$40 (RM166) per device to use its apps under a new licensing system to replace one that the European Union this year deemed anti-competitive, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The new fee goes into effect on Oct 29 for any new smartphone or tablet models launched in the European Economic Area and running Google's Android operating system, the company announced on Tuesday.