Lilbits: Judge rules Google can keep Chrome, but has to share search data, plus some gaming handheld news

Last year a US federal judge ruled that Google had violated antitrust laws by abusing its monopoly powers to maintain its leads in online search and advertising. And since then there's been speculation about whether that judge would follow the Department of Justice's recommendation to force Google to sell off its Chrome web browser or other products, possibly even including its Android operating system.

Now US District Judge Amit Mehta has issued a ruling. Google can keep its web browser and mobile OS. Google can even continue paying companies like Apple and Mozilla to pre-install its search engine, Gemini assistant, or other services on hardware like iPhones or software like the Firefox web browser. But Mehta's ruling will prevent Google from insisting on exclusive deals: companies that take Google's money cannot be prohibited from installing competing services. And Google will have to share some search data that could help other companies build their own competing products.

So when will those changes take place? Who knows. Google is still expected to appeal the decision, so the case could drag on for years if higher courts take the case.

Here's a roundup of recent tech news from around the web.

A judge in the US antitrust case against Google ruled that the company does not have to spin off its Chrome web browser or Android operating system. And it can pay to have Google services preinstalled on iPhones and other products, but cannot insist on exclusivity. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/g…

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— Liliputing (@liliputing.bsky.social) September 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM

AYANEO provides a first look at the upcoming Pocket AIR Mini, its upcoming Android handheld game console with an "entry-level price." Previously known as CODE R, it's the company's first play for the budget market. weibo.com/5394952951/Q…

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— Liliputing (@liliputing.bsky.social) September 2, 2025 at 11:22 AM

Evan Blass has dropped a whole bunch of leaked promo images for the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld gaming PC with a 144 Hz, 500 nit display, 74 Wh battery, fingerprint sensor, and up to Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. x.com/evleaks/stat…

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— Liliputing (@liliputing.bsky.social) September 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM

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— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 1, 2025

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