With Google’s $12.5 Billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility, they not only gain an advantage Apple previously had, but they gain significant intellectual property as well.
The added capability of developing the physical hardware of the phones produced, as well as the android software, gives Google the complete control over the final product just as Apple has. Google can do exactly what they want with their devices, which will be quite interesting considering the innovation the company possesses. Whether it be new features or better integration of software however, Google must ensure that its other users (mostly HTC and Samsung) are not left behind. Google has promised for this deal not to affect the other companies and ensures quality in treatment, but they must make sure they believe it and do not turn to Microsoft for their software.
The second advantage Google gains, and perhaps their main motivation for the deal, is in the patents the company has. Right now Motorola has over 17000 patents (with another 7500 waiting to be approved) which David Drummond, Google’ chief legal officer, says puts Google “in a very good position to protect the Android ecosystem for all of our partners”. This large scale acquisition of patents however, is one in which both Google and Microsoft are aggressively pursuing.
Read more at: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20092362-94/google-to-buy-motorola-mobility-for-$12.5b/