According to a recent report from over at GigaOm, Google wasn’t the only company interested in getting their hands on Motorola Mobility; Microsoft was also interested in purchasing Motorola and their wide range of mobile patents.
It looks like Microsoft was more interested in the patents that Motorola owned than the actual whole company and the hardware they produce. This could have been the reason that Motorola chose Google, as Google will continue to run Motorola as a company that produces hardware.
Had Microsoft got their hands on Motorola, and the 17,000 plus patents for mobile devices, this would have been bad news for Google’s Android OS. According to the report, the talks between Google and Motorola only started five weeks ago.
The talks were apparently conducted between Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha and Google’s CEO Larry Page, who discussed the deal directly, with only a handful of other executives from both companies.
Google’s Strategic Move
Google’s purchase of Motorola should help them protect their Android OS, and they will also be able to develop a new range of Android hardware devices as they are now essentially a hardware manufacturer as well. This acquisition is a strategic move for Google, as it not only strengthens their patent portfolio but also gives them more control over the hardware that runs their software. This could lead to more integrated and optimized Android devices in the future.
Moreover, owning Motorola allows Google to compete more directly with Apple, which has always had the advantage of controlling both the hardware and software of its devices. With Motorola under its wing, Google can now experiment with new hardware innovations and potentially set new standards in the mobile industry.
The Impact on the Mobile Industry
The acquisition also has significant implications for the broader mobile industry. For one, it puts pressure on other Android device manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, and LG. These companies may now feel the need to differentiate their products even more to compete with Google’s own hardware offerings. This could lead to a surge in innovation and diversity in the Android ecosystem, benefiting consumers with more choices and better devices.
On the other hand, Microsoft’s interest in Motorola highlights the importance of patents in the tech industry. Patents are not just legal tools but strategic assets that can provide a competitive edge. If Microsoft had succeeded in acquiring Motorola’s patents, it could have used them to challenge Android’s dominance, either through litigation or by leveraging the patents to enhance its own Windows Phone platform.
In conclusion, Google’s acquisition of Motorola is a game-changer in the tech world. It not only fortifies Google’s position in the mobile market but also sets the stage for future innovations in Android hardware. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s interest in Motorola underscores the critical role of patents in shaping the competitive landscape of the tech industry.
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