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ABI Research Takes a Look at Google's Acquisition of Motorola Mobility [Manufacturing Close - Up](Manufacturing Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Google agreeing to buy Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for $12.5 billion gives the search giant a more significant direct involvement in the design and production of mobile phone hardware and shores up a valuable intellectual property portfolio during a time when legal maneuvering through patent holdings is plaguing the Android market, reports ABI Research. According to the research company, a number of repercussions will result from this acquisition if it goes through. The Android platform is on its way to becoming the eventual leading OS in the smartphone market due to its OEM support. Does the growing support change for Android now that Google will be in direct competition with its licensees? Will the likes of Samsung, Huawei or even HTC adjust their strategies by emphasizing a competing platform? How will it affect Android future development? Android innovation relies on the contributions of its licensees, does it all freeze while this settles and how well can RIM and HP capitalize on this opportunity? "Google has been relatively silent through the many legal problems its licensees have faced in defending Android," said Kevin Burden, vice president and practice director, mobile networks. "All its licensees are now feeling their legal positions have just been reloaded, but their allegiance to Android may be more at risk." Beyond mobile phones and media tablets, Motorola Mobility has a healthy business in the digital home, namely broadband cable modems and set-top boxes. Its strategy has been to promote a "TV everywhere" solution. Google, in contrast, had its foray into this space with Google TV seen widely as an experiment. A tie-up between Google and Motorola could give Google the expertise it needs to be taken seriously and gain an eventual foothold in content deliver to the home. ABI Research's "Smartphone Technologies and Markets" (abiresearch.com/research/1003736) study explores top IC and OS platforms and the outlook for these competing technologies. In addition, it examines technologies that are being integrated into smartphones as competitive differentiators by smartphone OEMs. More Information: www.abiresearch.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |