Technology, Why are the patents so important to Google?, So it’s all about money?, But does this mean we’ll only be able to get Android-based phones from Motorola?, Could other Android partners just dump Android?, Does Microsoft have anything to say?,
Google’s announcement to acquire motorola mobility last month for $12.5 billion may have seemed random on the surface, but motorola has focused solely on Android since 2008, and the company’s patent portfolio is quite attractive to the patentstarved Google. If the deal is approved by regulatory authorities, what will it all mean to consumers like you? read on to find out. Should we expect to see the rise of Moogle or Googorola? Not just yet. Google insists that motorola will remain a separate company. Why does Google want to buy Motorola? According to Google chief Larry page, “to supercharge the Android ecosystem.” What really sweetened the deal was motorola’s expansive patent portfolio.
Why are the patents so important to Google? patents are lucrative. Anyone keeping an eye on the tech press recently has seen no shortage of patent-related lawsuits, many from the top tech firms in the game: samsung vs. Apple, Google vs. Oracle, motorola vs. Apple, microsoft vs. Android, and so on. If you latch onto just the right patent, you can make a killing on licenses alone.
So it’s all about money? And protecting the brand. Last month, Google accused rivals like Apple and microsoft of collectively purchasing patents to thwart the growth of Android. buying motorola and its patent arsenal “enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from microsoft, Apple and other companies,” Google’s page said.
But does this mean we’ll only be able to get Android-based phones from Motorola? Google insisted that Android will remain open, meaning that motorola will not be the only Android dealer in town. “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,” page said.
Could other Android partners just dump Android? Anything is possible, but Android has been very good to a number of these companies. samsung in particular had a huge year thanks to the success of its Android-based Galaxy s line of smartphones. the handset maker shipped 17.3 million devices, a 380.6 percent change from the 3.6 million smartphones it shipped in the second quarter of 2010, according to IDC.
Does Microsoft have anything to say? Andy Lees, president of the Windows phone division, said in a statement that “investing in a broad and truly open mobile ecosystem is important for the industry and consumers alike, and Windows phone is now the only platform that does so with equal opportunity for all partners.”
Would this somehow involve Google TV? Indeed. besides phones, motorola mobility also develops set-top boxes and DVrs. With motorola in its corner, there’s a good chance we might see Google tV appear in cable boxes. page said he wants to accelerate innovation in the home devices and video solutions business, and pledged to work with the cable and telecom industries to get that done.—Chloe Albanesius
Google’s announcement to acquire motorola mobility last month for $12.5 billion may have seemed random on the surface, but motorola has focused solely on Android since 2008, and the company’s patent portfolio is quite attractive to the patentstarved Google. If the deal is approved by regulatory authorities, what will it all mean to consumers like you? read on to find out. Should we expect to see the rise of Moogle or Googorola? Not just yet. Google insists that motorola will remain a separate company. Why does Google want to buy Motorola? According to Google chief Larry page, “to supercharge the Android ecosystem.” What really sweetened the deal was motorola’s expansive patent portfolio.
Why are the patents so important to Google? patents are lucrative. Anyone keeping an eye on the tech press recently has seen no shortage of patent-related lawsuits, many from the top tech firms in the game: samsung vs. Apple, Google vs. Oracle, motorola vs. Apple, microsoft vs. Android, and so on. If you latch onto just the right patent, you can make a killing on licenses alone.
So it’s all about money? And protecting the brand. Last month, Google accused rivals like Apple and microsoft of collectively purchasing patents to thwart the growth of Android. buying motorola and its patent arsenal “enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from microsoft, Apple and other companies,” Google’s page said.
But does this mean we’ll only be able to get Android-based phones from Motorola? Google insisted that Android will remain open, meaning that motorola will not be the only Android dealer in town. “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,” page said.
Could other Android partners just dump Android? Anything is possible, but Android has been very good to a number of these companies. samsung in particular had a huge year thanks to the success of its Android-based Galaxy s line of smartphones. the handset maker shipped 17.3 million devices, a 380.6 percent change from the 3.6 million smartphones it shipped in the second quarter of 2010, according to IDC.
Does Microsoft have anything to say? Andy Lees, president of the Windows phone division, said in a statement that “investing in a broad and truly open mobile ecosystem is important for the industry and consumers alike, and Windows phone is now the only platform that does so with equal opportunity for all partners.”
