Hidden page reveals one way Google hopes to quiet regulators globally

A hidden page found in the recently released Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 build gives us an idea of ​​how Google will take on regulatory agencies around the world that have accused the company of anti-competitive behavior. Some of these agencies want Google to allow Android users to have the freedom to select their own default search engine and hidden page, discovered by Nail Sadykoveditor of the Google News Telegram channel, (via AndroidAuthority) explains how Google could do this.

Included with the Pixel Launcher app that comes with the Android 14 The QPR2 Beta 3 update is a hidden option on the search settings page called Search Engine. The description for this setting says: “Select the app you will use to search the web. This will affect the search and content on your home screen.” As you might expect, using the field above the apps list on a Pixel will default to Google for web searches. The presence of this page indicates that Google could allow other search engines such as Bing or DuckDuckGo to handle such tasks.

Pixel Launcher will soon let you choose the default web “search engine”.

The application version that comes with Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 contains a hidden search settings item called “Search Engine”. This feature will allow you to choose an application for web search. pic.twitter.com/EbbCCd6bvX

– Nail Sadykov (@Nail_Sadykov) January 11, 2024

If this page becomes available for all Android phones on a future version of the operating system, it may be enough to show regulators around the world that Google is opening Android to other search options. But this is only one element and Google will still have to take care of others, notably reducing in-app payments in the Play Store.