T-Mobile deal puts Google services front and center
Recognition: David Imel / Android Authority
- T-Mobile and Google are working together to promote Android services and devices.
- The network operator prefers Google services such as Messages and Google One and is replacing TVision Live with YouTube TV.
- T-Mobile also plans to increase the number of Pixel phones and other Android devices.
T-Mobile will be forever connected to Android thanks to the G1, but now it’s deepening that relationship. The wireless operator has unveiled a multi-year team promoting Google services and Android devices, in some cases at the expense of T-Mobile’s own offerings.
The partnership begins with prioritizing the services. T-Mobile is making Google Messages the default rich messaging solution (including RCS) for its Android devices and making Google One the preferred cloud backup and storage option.
This even extends to cable cutting. As previously reported, T-Mobile is now planning to use Google’s YouTube TV as a premium live viewing service and Philo as a basic service. And yes, that means the network is dropping TVision Live and TVision Vibe – both internal services will be retired on April 29th. The move is reportedly based on a combination of “financial challenges” with T-Mobile’s software provider, Google and Philo partnerships and recognition of changing trends in the TV industry.
See also: The best live streaming TV services
Existing TVision Live and Vibe customers will receive a lifetime monthly discount of $ 10 on YouTube TV or Philo if they benefit by June 30, T-Mobile said. TVision Live subscribers get a free month of YouTube TV, while Vibe viewers get a similar offer for Philo. You also get YouTube Premium free for three months. All T-Mobile postpaid and Sprint subscribers will start receiving $ 10 per month from April 6, although the provider noted that if you weren’t already a TVision customer, you would only get this plan for one year.
Hardware will also play an important role. T-Mobile plans to expand the range of Pixel phones and other Android devices. According to T-Mobile, this will help illustrate the “willingness of Google to help” when demonstrating the 5G network. The TVision Hub Media Player will still be available, but it’s not surprising that YouTube TV is being advertised instead.
Aside from moving to YouTube TV, T-Mobile would only commit to making many of these changes “later this year.”
It’s not shocking that Google is leaning towards T-Mobile. In addition to their job of getting Android off the ground, T-Mobile still has the most Android users on its network. It’s easier to advertise to Google here than it is from providers who may be more iPhone-focused. Right now, Google may want some help selling their products. Pixel phones were available through cellular carriers before, but they weren’t as popular as iPhones or Samsung Galaxy models. The T-Mobile alliance can give the pixel a greater chance to shine.
The deal is a bit modest for T-Mobile. She announced TVision in October 2020 or just six months earlier. While the streaming service was designed to enhance conventional TV service and give T-Mobile an edge over competing cable cutting services (including YouTube TV), it was clearly out in the short term. Not that you mind – this could help T-Mobile focus its energy on its core business of cellular communications.
