Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility

[trophynuts]

i really can't see how this could go poorly for either side...

Google now owns an absolute truckload of mobile related patents...arguably the best hardware company in the mobile game..and a HUGE guarantee on their OS remaining the sole OS of choice on smartphones from one of the leading suppliers in the world...

Moto gains an absolute truckload of capital...arguably the best software company in the mobile game...and a HUGE guarantee that their hardware should receive the absolute BEST in support from Google and likely be fast tracked for updates, and new versions of Android....

its beautiful for both sides IMO...

I couldn't agree more Met.

I'm so friggin excited about this i'm almost speechless. The possibilities of this deal are enormous. ...has anyone even thought ...could we possibly see a Nexus Tablet in the coming years? What about a 100% Google phone just as Apple did with the Iphone. Also this deal may have been in the works for a long time. This may have been one reason Moto split its divisions a while back and creating the whole Motorola Mobility Div. All i know is this:

Motorola was the first in the Cell phone game. You don't last this long if you make bad products. I've always been a Moto fanboi and now put that together with one of the best smartphone OS to come since Ios. That smell that you guys are getting a whiff of is a brand new batch of Awesome Sauce being brewed at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043.

Metfanant..You think the crow eaters would prefer grilled or baked crow?

yours truly
Trophy

 

[bouchigo]

I couldn't agree more Met.

I'm so friggin excited about this i'm almost speechless. The possibilities of this deal are enormous. ...has anyone even thought ...could we possibly see a Nexus Tablet in the coming years? What about a 100% Google phone just as Apple did with the Iphone. Also this deal may have been in the works for a long time. This may have been one reason Moto split its divisions a while back and creating the whole Motorola Mobility Div. All i know is this:

Motorola was the first in the Cell phone game. You don't last this long if you make bad products. I've always been a Moto fanboi and now put that together with one of the best smartphone OS to come since Ios. That smell that you guys are getting a whiff of is a brand new batch of Awesome Sauce being brewed at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043.

Metfanant..You think the crow eaters would prefer grilled or baked crow?

yours truly
Trophy

I agree with everything except your last statement (in bold).

Again, as I've said previously, you can't compare the Motorola of old (which is actually still the Motorola of "current" since Google has done nothing yet) to the Google/Moto combo.

 

[dmtaylor247]

I just been reading about this on gnews, crazy they bought for 63% higher than it should have been @ 40$ a share. All this about Google giving their partners the cold shoulder, they can't cos of probes into anti trust atm, Motorola will be run as a different company altogether.

 

[Vipfreak]

Friend is right, sad they have to buy patients to avoid being sued just because one company can't stay in top on their products alone... : puts on flame suit :

 

[in2uition]

Patents were the first thing that came to my mind when I heard about this. I'm really interested to see the epic patent lawsuits that might ensue between MSFT, Apple and Google. However I don't think either company is THAT stupid to start one against each other.

Besides all this potential legal rifts, I'm sure Motorola will get some special treatment from Google, but I think we might see a smaller cellphone portfolio from Motorola as well.

I'm really interested to see the integration this will bring to set top boxes, as MMI is the largest supplier in the nation.

Another interesting thing about this is that surely people will say this is the "end of Blur" and that Moto phones will get an AOSP feel now...

But in reality I think there is a better chance that Moto's UI development will have a larger influence on what AOSP is...I expect a more polished AOSP Android to come from this...

That is a nice (and scary) possibility.

Discussion is welcomed. That was a lot of news articles mixed in with my opinions.

Microsoft will buy Nokia for the consumer market and RIM for the business/enterprise sector. HP will buy HTC, strengthen the partnership with Beats Audio, sell WebOS phones and rein SUPREME!! LOL , I'm just kidding, none of this will happen...however I wouldn't be mad if it did lol

This may have been one reason Moto split its divisions a while back and creating the whole Motorola Mobility Div.

Of course! It's a common trend to see a company split up or spun-off in hopes of being the more profitable company or a prized asset ready to be bought.

 

[Optimus]

This won't have much affect in the short term...but long term the ramifications are huge. Google is a hardware OEM now, this means phones, tablets, car tech, home automation...all the areas they have expressed interest in. Google is making a potential play that could eventually result in how our computing future will look. Once all the patent mess gets sorted out, Google will be under pressure from shareholders to utilize MM for profit..which is natural. They will become the premiere channel for Google's device initiatives..make no mistake. HTC, LG, and Samsung will have no choice but to make countermoves to remain viable in the mobile space years from now. Samsung not so much b/c they do everything..but certainly the others. This may all but spell the death of others such as Acer in the mobile space. This will result in attempts to make premieres handset for WP7 and for the short term Android so I believe you will see a significan't step in quality at the higher end. All in all..not so bad for consumers but those companies that have major portions of their initiatives proped up by Android will be forced to find alternatives.

 

[Martimus]

If Google is smart, and I tend to think they (by and large) are... They will operate Motorola Mobility (or Google Mobility) or whatever they plan to call the acquisition as a separate operating company.

I thinking having control of MM may bother the other handset manufacturers a bit but, in the long run, it'll help consolidate their position and make Android a stronger player in the market. As many others have already stated, they get their hands on lots of patents, a good manufacturing business, and a lot of talented new staff.

In court, this will also play well into Google's hand because now they can respond to Apples claims on a more level playing field. And with an established player like MM under the Google umbrella, a judge and jury may look at Apples patents as infringing on pre-existing technologies used by a direct competitor.

Considering that Apple has been doing it's best to side-step any confrontation with Google, I'm thinking that this was a direct "In your face" directed at Mr. Steve Jobs and company!

 

[trophynuts]

I agree with everything except your last statement (in bold).

Again, as I've said previously, you can't compare the Motorola of old (which is actually still the Motorola of "current" since Google has done nothing yet) to the Google/Moto combo.

lol fair enough sir.

 

[quickaudi]

"I think Apple and Microsoft probably feel pretty good, competitively, about having forced Google into spending $12.5 billion for Motorola — a handset maker with rapidly declining sales, no recent profits, and misguided management."

--quoted from a website

 

[_Aardvark]

I worry that Google/Motorola will end up putting less and less OS features and applications into AOSP and keep them closed sourced and Moto phones only.

 

[Deleted User]

I worry that Google/Motorola will end up putting less and less OS features and applications into AOSP and keep them closed sourced and Moto phones only.

That wouldn't be beneficial to Android as an OS, though.

Google's chief profit center comes from putting eyeballs on the internet. It doesn't matter how they get there. It would be against their own best interests to cripple Android in any way.

 

[ylexot]

That wouldn't be beneficial to Android as an OS, though.

Google's chief profit center comes from putting eyeballs on the internet. It doesn't matter how they get there. It would be against their own best interests to cripple Android in any way.

Yeah, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[Metfanant]

I worry that Google/Motorola will end up putting less and less OS features and applications into AOSP and keep them closed sourced and Moto phones only.

never gonna happen...Google would kill Android by doing that

 

[_Aardvark]

That wouldn't be beneficial to Android as an OS, though.

Google's chief profit center comes from putting eyeballs on the internet. It doesn't matter how they get there. It would be against their own best interests to cripple Android in any way.

Sure, but my concern is that they will change their perspective on the role of the OS developer (Google proper) vs.the handset manufacturer (HTC, Samsung, Moto-google). Now they will be BOTH. They may not think they're crippling things. They may think they're making things "better". Fairer. More open.

Every manufacturer feels like they have to make their own flavor of Android. This happens now, Base android + manuf/carrier extras = your phone. I was under the impression that Google was trying to stop/limit this (why else have the pure-google Nexus line). But maybe not anymore. With Moto's influence they'll decided that the current state of affairs is the way things should be.

I'm worried they will provide less in the base OS and allow for manufacturers to customize things even more easily then they can now. Maybe that's overstating it. My concern is Google will focus less on making Android base itself a compelling phone OS, It'll advance as more of a platform. Real innovation (esp UI) will be shifted to the Motorola side. Things will stay like they are now, every damn phone with a custom launcher, email app, messenging app, gallery, lock screen, etc... Google won't care because they're doing it too!

EDIT:
All future Motorola phones will need to be 100% pure AOSP - otherwise I think we're in trouble.

 

[Metfanant]

Every manufacturer feels like they have to make their own flavor of Android. This happens now, Base android + manuf/carrier extras = your phone. I was under the impression that Google was trying to stop/limit this (why else have the pure-google Nexus line). But maybe not anymore. With Moto's influence they'll decided that the current state of affairs is the way things should be.

i dont think Google has ever had ANY intention on stopping the OEM's from adding their twist to Android...if they did they would just not allow it as part of the licensing agreements...

of course that would be very un-open source of them...what you're asking for is for Google to act like Apple and treat Android like iOS...

I'm worried they will provide less in the base OS and allow for manufacturers to customize things even more easily then they can now. Maybe that's overstating it. My concern is Google will focus less on making Android base itself a compelling phone OS, It'll advance as more of a platform. Real innovation (esp UI) will be shifted to the Motorola side. Things will stay like they are now, every damn phone with a custom launcher, email app, messenging app, gallery, lock screen, etc... Google won't care because they're doing it too!

they already do provide less in the base OS...that is why the OEM's go and add features...

I wouldn't expect anything to really change in the landscape of Android from what we see today...the OEM's are going to continue to use their custom UI's...but that has nothing to do with Google changing their stance after aquiring Moto Mobility...its simply that Google allows it because it they make an open source operating system...

EDIT:
All future Motorola phones will need to be 100% pure AOSP - otherwise I think we're in trouble.

i wouldn't count on that either...

 

[rbh5081]

I got an email from tonight from motodev talking about it


Dear MOTODEV member,

Today, Google and Motorola Mobility have announced their intention to enter an agreement under which Google will acquire Motorola Mobility. This is a positive step in Motorola Mobility's evolution and exciting news for the Android ecosystem.

As you know, Motorola Mobility has played a leading role in the advancement of the Android platform globally. With Google, we plan to continue to build upon our 80-year history of technology innovation and take Motorola Mobility's cutting-edge products and solutions to the next level.

We do not expect this announced transaction to have any immediate impact on MOTODEV programs or activities. As the transaction moves forward we will keep you informed as details become available.

As always, technology innovation remains the lifeblood of Motorola Mobility and the success of our developer community remains top priority for MOTODEV.

Sincerely,
The MOTODEV team

 

[Deleted User]

But maybe not anymore. With Moto's influence they'll decided that the current state of affairs is the way things should be.

I'm worried they will provide less in the base OS and allow for manufacturers to customize things even more easily then they can now. Maybe that's overstating it. My concern is Google will focus less on making Android base itself a compelling phone OS, It'll advance as more of a platform.

It's possible, but I think it is unlikely. Google has said they will continue to operate Motorola as a separate division.

I would be concerned if Android had showed any kind of shift in vision or track in the last year, but it hasn't - and it's the most popular mobile OS in the world, now, I believe (if not, it's just behind Symbian but that's only because of the plethora of dumb phones). They are going to continue the Nexus line, which wouldn't make sense if they were planning on abandoning serious Android development - and the Moto phone division is going to have to bid to get a Nexus branded phone, just like anyone else.

I seriously doubt you'll find Moto going 100% vanilla Android. I don't think that's a concern, though - it's good for these vendors to try to improve Android, because it does a number of things. It exposes holes in Android's basic functionality (e.g. the camera). It provides a differentiation between brands (lots of people buy HTC phones specifically because they like Sense). And it shows where Android doesn't need to go, too - trust me, Google employees do focus groups, read forums, they are listening to what customers find obnoxious or obtrusive.

One thing I think this could bring to Android... Motorola is starting to insert some enterprise features into their phones, like encryption. If Google got a RIM-style enterprise server functionality going, I think they could wipe Blackberry out of the market. Half the reason businesses still employ Blackberry phones is because the BES is such a nice piece of functionality.

 

[PACAnesFan]

One thing I think this could bring to Android... Motorola is starting to insert some enterprise features into their phones, like encryption. If Google got a RIM-style enterprise server functionality going, I think they could wipe Blackberry out of the market. Half the reason businesses still employ Blackberry phones is because the BES is such a nice piece of functionality.

That is a very good point that I haven't read anywhere. Moto already locks bootloaders. I would expect as much for a business class phone. In fact, for a pure business class phone, I would expect locked/encrypted bootloaders, locked system RAM, disabling sideloading of apps, and improved Exchange functionality. Perhaps Google is going to push Moto into more of an enterprise role.

 

[Deleted User]

I think Google and Microsoft both have a giant opportunity right now.

Microsoft already owns the world's server operating systems. If they incorporated native provisioning of phones to active directory user accounts along with features like full phone encryption, incorporated VPNs, etc., they have a huge opportunity to own the enterprise phone market. Many IT groups don't even like Blackberry that much, but they offer enterprise functions that are irresistible. I imagine IT groups would absolutely leap at the opportunity to provision and manage all of their users' phones right in their existing account management tools, not to mention being able to push group policy out to them. Hell, even as an Android fan, it's hard to imagine using anything but WP7 if that kind of management was an option.

Google has a similar opportunity but without the advantage of already sitting in all the server closets. So their solution has to be technologically better to woo the IT groups. But it's ridiculous that Blackberry is the only phone manufacturer that is investing heavily in the enterprise.

 

[_Aardvark]

I don't think that's a concern, though - it's good for these vendors to try to improve Android, because it does a number of things. It exposes holes in Android's basic functionality (e.g. the camera).

That right there is what I worry about: the holes filled in by the handset manufacturers. I like to think Google keeps trying to improve AOSP to fill in these holes. I worry that they'll be less motivated to do so now. Large parts of the AOSP becoming more "reference implementations" than a true, competitive product.

I hope I'm wrong and it works the opposite way, with more features flowing into AOSP.

 

[_Aardvark]

I think Google and Microsoft both have a giant opportunity right now.
<snip>
But it's ridiculous that Blackberry is the only phone manufacturer that is investing heavily in the enterprise.

It drives me crazy that iPhones work better than my Android phone in my companies' corporate network. I cannot get my phone on the wireless network in the office (works fine on iOS) or the VPN (only works on Samsung Android phones evidently, oh and iOS).

(at least exchange works)

 

[Metfanant]

That right there is what I worry about: the holes filled in by the handset manufacturers. I like to think Google keeps trying to improve AOSP to fill in these holes. I worry that they'll be less motivated to do so now. Large parts of the AOSP becoming more &quot;reference implementations&quot; than a true, competitive product.

I hope I'm wrong and it works the opposite way, with more features flowing into AOSP.

Frankly I think you're stretching to play up Google and downplay what the OEMs accomplish with their skins...possibly because you prefer a vanilla experience...

If you take a step back and really look at things...do you really think Google is currently doing everything they can to fill in those holes when the AOSP camera is rubbish...and the dialer does not even support speed dial?...

 

[_Aardvark]

Frankly I think you're stretching to play up Google and downplay what the OEMs accomplish with their skins...possibly because you prefer a vanilla experience...

If you take a step back and really look at things...do you really think Google is currently doing everything they can to fill in those holes when the AOSP camera is rubbish...and the dialer does not even support speed dial?...

My bottom line is I want the plain vanilla experience to get better. I'm not saying it is better than Sense/Blur/Wiz/whatever right now. I thought Google was working toward this goal, maybe I'm wrong? I wish they would.

Why would more functionality in the shared base code be better? I don't so much care about a consistent experience and UI between phones, for me it's about stability and bugs. Let's say that 10% of Motorola Android phones are Droid X's. Some bug affects only 25% of Droid X owners. What do you think the chances are that bug is getting fixed? Esp when only Moto engineers are looking into it. If this bug was in all Android phones, you'd have potentially the whole of the community to fix it.

 

[bouchigo]

Frankly I think you're stretching to play up Google and downplay what the OEMs accomplish with their skins...possibly because you prefer a vanilla experience...

I prefer Vanilla Android, simply because all the skin overlays (UI's) by manufactures I have encountered seem to bog down/slow down the phone, plus causing other undesired bugs/issues. I can't deny that some of the changes the Manufacturers add with their skinning/modding are quite nice, and at times better than what Google does.

But, this leads me to my next belief, which is that Google is not too worried about making the camera look pretty or adding speed dial (again with the speed dial Met ) because they know the Manufacturers will add/change those functions.

 

[Metfanant]

I prefer Vanilla Android, simply because all the skin overlays (UI's) by manufactures I have encountered seem to bog down/slow down the phone, plus causing other undesired bugs/issues. I can't deny that some of the changes the Manufacturers add with their skinning/modding are quite nice, and at times better than what Google does.

But, this leads me to my next belief, which is that Google is not too worried about making the camera look pretty or adding speed dial (again with the speed dial Met ) because they know the Manufacturers will add/change those functions.

Im completely cool with liking AOSP for its inherent performance advantages...

However, your second point is worrisome for me...I harp on things like speed dial because its a very basic feature...the Motorola StarTac supported speed dial...

We are talking about a smart phone OS here...a lot of people try to beat up the OEMs for "ruining" Android with the UI skins and additions but frankly I don't think Android would have gotten as far as it did without them...AOSP is barebones and very plain (borderline ugly) as a UI and is missing some basic features you would expect from a smart phone...

UI skins like Blur, Sense, Touch Wiz etc are here to stay