They choose to bundle Google Play. Because if you don't have it (with Facebook, and Twitter, and Snapchat, and other essential apps for many people), your device won't sell. But to get the Google Play store, you also need to include Google Play services, Google Play Music, YouTube, Chrome, Google Maps, Location Services, Google Keep, Google Docs, other stores (Movies, NewsStand, Books), etc.
This ruling finally forces Google to decouple at least some of its apps from the package, and to sell some devices (but not all of them) with or without Google apps.
You need Google Play Services if you want to run the average app. There is no difference, in the consumer's mind, between Play Services and Android. Deliberately, on the part of Google - new geo services are Play Services only, for instance.
not really, i have phone full of apps without gapps and i am fine - WhatsApp, signal, brave, nine, spotify, boost for Reddit... all work fine, the issue are really only apps depending on maps like Uber
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