...is that I wish I had been holding a ton of Motorola stock prior to this announcement. In addition, I wish Google all the luck in the world in their fight against Apple. The evil that people thought Microsoft was in the 90's has been realized in Apple in the 2010s, and anything that may hold Apple in check is something that I applaud.
Well so much for Android being open. Within a generation all 3rd party phones will be reduced to 2nd class citizens. Being vertically integrated like this will definitely have some benefits, but it will also have its downsides. In the meantime it's becoming increasingly clear that Android is a failure as an open operating system.
That's not a troll, I'm serious. Google already enclosed Android some with 3.x. Now they're going to be competing with their hardware partners - why would they want to share the latest and greatest with them? You don't spend 12.5B on a hardware company in order to run it at a loss.
Considering that Motorola has over 17,000 patents, this could as well be just a patent purchase, meaning that Android's state will remain the same and Google owns Motorola only on paper.
Either way, this is definitely interesting and there are lots of things to be seen.
That's Google's stated intent, and they've managed to convince all their major phone partners to publicly endorse the deal; so at least in the medium term I don't think much is going to change.
"This acquisition will not change our commitment to run Android as an open platform. Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. We will run Motorola as a separate business. Many hardware partners have contributed to Android's success and we look forward to continuing to work with all of them to deliver outstanding user experiences."
Considering Google makes the most money from having the operating system on EVERY phone possible, it's not in their best interest to keep others out or to give them subpar versions of Android.
On the other hand, it's pretty obvious who is going to be designing Nexus-branded hardware from now on.
So, Google has patents they need now. Also, they can create a true reference platform for everyone to shoot for. This isn't such a problem. Best Buy sells it's own housebrand PC's and TV's, they don't dominate the market. Microsoft makes hardware, but Logitech is still a better brand, and in truth, Microsoft basically now makes cell phones. If you think the Nokia buyout isn't going to happen, your crazy. Mobile is the new Game System war. Tablets and Cell Phone's are the new profit centers and everyone's buying in. Good job in not getting left behind in Mobile. Losing Social's not such a big deal, FB wont' rule the world forever just as MySpace didn't. Mobile's going to be here pretty much forever, so, yeah, this was a perfect move.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
19 Comments
Back to Article
ImSpartacus - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
So Google gets some patents for its treasure chest and we get Motoblur-free phones? I can live with that; yes sir, I can.Just please keep the Pentile screens to a minimum, k?
Souka - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
ditto. Please, oh please, kill Moto-blurI've had two moto-phones that I rooted... just getting rid of the blur made the phone sooo much better. (faster, better battery life, more useable).
I currently have a company Droid2... stock ROM... ugh....
Romberry - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
...is that I wish I had been holding a ton of Motorola stock prior to this announcement. In addition, I wish Google all the luck in the world in their fight against Apple. The evil that people thought Microsoft was in the 90's has been realized in Apple in the 2010s, and anything that may hold Apple in check is something that I applaud.aegisofrime - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
After Google wins then it will be Google itself that is the next evil. If there's one constant it's that power corrupts.jmcb - Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - link
I agree. I just checked the stock...the 15th was a very good day...lolZingam - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
Wow! That's big! I wish I had some stocks too. It is very interesting development. I want to see now how would Microsoft and Apple sue Google?If only Google would buy Nokia now... that would be the biggest surprise ever.
ViRGE - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
Well so much for Android being open. Within a generation all 3rd party phones will be reduced to 2nd class citizens. Being vertically integrated like this will definitely have some benefits, but it will also have its downsides. In the meantime it's becoming increasingly clear that Android is a failure as an open operating system.bplewis24 - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
Troll harder.ViRGE - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
That's not a troll, I'm serious. Google already enclosed Android some with 3.x. Now they're going to be competing with their hardware partners - why would they want to share the latest and greatest with them? You don't spend 12.5B on a hardware company in order to run it at a loss.Kristian Vättö - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
Considering that Motorola has over 17,000 patents, this could as well be just a patent purchase, meaning that Android's state will remain the same and Google owns Motorola only on paper.Either way, this is definitely interesting and there are lots of things to be seen.
DanNeely - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
That's Google's stated intent, and they've managed to convince all their major phone partners to publicly endorse the deal; so at least in the medium term I don't think much is going to change.bplewis24 - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
"This acquisition will not change our commitment to run Android as an open platform. Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. We will run Motorola as a separate business. Many hardware partners have contributed to Android's success and we look forward to continuing to work with all of them to deliver outstanding user experiences."Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20092367-264/goo...
steven75 - Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - link
http://android-press-release.com/dagamer34 - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
Considering Google makes the most money from having the operating system on EVERY phone possible, it's not in their best interest to keep others out or to give them subpar versions of Android.On the other hand, it's pretty obvious who is going to be designing Nexus-branded hardware from now on.
steven75 - Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - link
Yep. And they even made this handy web page for their "partners" to provide a comment on the situation.http://android-press-release.com/
kanabalize - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
remember dont be evil or something...Pessimism - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
I will be happy if they lose:-Locked and encrypted bootloaders
-Motoblur
Keep:
-Wide range of android QWERTY devices. Moto is one of the only makers who is taking a good shot at doing these.
damianrobertjones - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
I hope that Google doesn't suddenly wall in Android to only appearing on Motorola kit which would damage the sales of HTC! Things are hotting up :)rupaniii - Monday, August 15, 2011 - link
So, Google has patents they need now.Also, they can create a true reference platform for everyone to shoot for.
This isn't such a problem. Best Buy sells it's own housebrand PC's and TV's, they don't dominate the market.
Microsoft makes hardware, but Logitech is still a better brand, and in truth, Microsoft basically now makes cell phones. If you think the Nokia buyout isn't going to happen, your crazy.
Mobile is the new Game System war. Tablets and Cell Phone's are the new profit centers and everyone's buying in. Good job in not getting left behind in Mobile. Losing Social's not such a big deal, FB wont' rule the world forever just as MySpace didn't. Mobile's going to be here pretty much forever, so, yeah, this was a perfect move.