Print 42 comment(s) - last by KOOLTIME.. on Aug 24 at 7:37 PM

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop was talking smack about Google's purchase of Motorola. But should people in glass houses throw stones? Nokia just shacked up with Microsoft.  (Source: Boy Genius Report)
He says that Motorola acquisition could lead to waning support from Google

Is Google Inc.'s (GOOGacquisition of top Android handset maker Motorola Mobility, Inc. (MMI) a sign that Google is headed towards a first-party hardware model like Apple, Inc. (AAPL)?  Should other Android phonemakers like HTC Corp. (SEO:066570) and Samsung Electronics (SEO 005930) be worried?

It's hard to answer whether the massive deal will even pass U.S. Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice scrutiny, let alone answer far reaching questions like those.  But rival phonemaker Nokia Oyj. (HEL:NOK1V) is happy to inject its predictions into the mix.

At a Helsinki, Finland seminar, former Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Canada exec. and new Nokia CEO Stephen Elop was channeling a bit of psychic, predicting the deal would take a dire turn for Android handset makers.  He warned that they should "watch out", stating to Reuters, "If I happened to be someone who was an Android manufacturer or an operator, or anyone with a stake in that environment, I would be picking up my phone and calling certain executives at Google and say 'I see signs of danger ahead.'"

Mr. Elop opines that the perceived difficulties with the Motorola Mobility acquisition emphasize why Nokia and Microsoft's partnership was a good idea.  He states, "The very first reaction I had was very clearly the importance of the third ecosystem and the importance of the partnership that we announced on February 11, it is more clear than ever before."

Ironically, many see things quite differently and draw parallels between the two deals.  While Microsoft did not take ownership of Nokia, it entered a deep partnership, which included IP cross licensing and a complete commitment by Nokia to Windows Phone 7.  Many Microsoft executives even have migrated to Nokia under Mr. Elop's leadership.

In related news, Mr. Elop hinted that Nokia is moving along with the transition to Windows Phone 7 was heading along well, commenting that 25,000 to 30,000 new apps (presumably formerly Symbian apps) had been delivered by Nokia's developer community to the WP7 platform.

Comments     Threshold


In case anyone still wondered
By bug77 on 8/19/2011 10:17:10 AM , Rating: 3
This guy is completely clueless.

Why would Google head towards Apple's model? Google needs as many handsets out there as possible. Because more handsets mean more ads shown. And more ads shown means more revenue for Google. It's as simple as that.
Either this guy is a complete tool, or he's just spreading FUD. You know, since he doesn't have a phone to show and he won't for a while.

RE: In case anyone still wondered
By Jeffk464 on 8/19/2011 10:53:31 AM , Rating: 2
I think this is right. Also android is based on enough open source software that they legally can't make it proprietary at this point, right?

RE: In case anyone still wondered
By wpodonnell on 8/19/2011 11:02:52 AM , Rating: 2
Is there anything keeping them from changing the licensing terms moving forward?

RE: In case anyone still wondered
By bug77 on 8/19/2011 11:17:33 AM , Rating: 2
No, but the released code can be forked and maintained by anyone.
Also, Google would be just shooting itself in the foot by doing so. If anything, Google may hold on to the patents form Motorola and spin-off the manufacturing unit, but I don't see them building walls around Android just to make their entrance into this market.

