The Federal Trade Commission is focusing its probe into Google regarding allegations that the company is killing of the competition by manipulating available services on the Android.

“We understand that with success comes scrutiny,” said a Google spokeswoman. “We’re happy to answer any questions they have about our business.”

FTC’s main focus is to whether or not they force Google services onto users, like their pre-installed browser, and if Android device manufacturers are limited in their ability to offer services from Google competitors.  But some argue that network carriers have options around this, as well as users, so no one is tied to Google’s services.  Another issue is that Google is accused of nabbing reviews from other sites to use it for their own and manipulate the search results, as in the case of Yelp.

As everyone knows, Android is available on different smartphones from different manufacturers like Motorola, Samsung and HTC.  And each one has different specifications regarding the use of the Android OS.  So, one cannot say that Google is manipulating the market from this perspective.

Competitors are focusing in on Android because it was the first to successfully take the limelight off Apple.  Being an open source platform, manufacturers, developers and users tweak the devices according to their preferences and business goals.  Considering Apple’s walled garden for browser options, Flash support, in-app purchases and the like, and you really start to wonder if the FTC is even looking into the right company as far as antitrust suits go.

Google Android beat Microsoft and RIM in launching an OS which only strengthens Google’s belief that competitors are just jealous of what they have achieved in such a short amount of time.  If the two companies had an earlier OS launch, who knows what might have happened.

FTC’s investigation is still early, but some are saying that their probe on Google may be fruitless.  If FTC’s argument is that Google manipulates manufacturers, developers and users, then what is Apple doing?  Google has an expansive ecosystem that spans the web and mobile space, leveraging search and other Apps its been building out for years.  It’s because of this bundled approach that Android’s been able to see such rapid uptake, though Google’s facing mounting pressure from rivals and the FTC alike.