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I think this is Google shooting itself in the foot. TechAltar on YouTube provides a very good explanation of why Samsung (and probably other phone manufacturer

I think this is Google shooting itself in the foot. TechAltar on YouTube provides a very good explanation of why Samsung (and probably other phone manufacturers) are cautious of Android[1]. This is especially true when Google acts as a hardware phone manufacturer. The summary of the argument (from memory) is that Google provides Android to hardware phone manufacturers, and it doesn't compete with them in the hardware space. Google owning Moto (and now HTC?), makes Google a direct competitor with hardware phone manufacturers -- which you could argue are its main customers in the phone market. Google can give Moto (HTC?) unfair advantages because it owns/controls Android; even if it's not done maliciously (e.g. having access to Android source before it becomes public). [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_L9j6mDJBg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_L9j6mDJBg

0xFFC 9y ago
This is not accurate at all. Microsoft does the same. But every single laptop manufacturer uses Windows.
lucozade 9y ago
> I think this is Google shooting itself in the foot. Only if it fails. I'm sure this is making Android phone manufacturers nervous but what are their options? Essentially, Samsung would need to revive its mobile OS platform and build a competing ecosystem. That's a huge gamble that's already failed multiple times. It strikes me that it's more likely that they'll take the same dichotomous approach as they do with selling chips to Apple. My guess is that Google are assuming the same.
simonh 9y ago
Google stands to lose nothing of value whatsoever from pissing off the Android handset makers. Especially since they've made no bones at all about pissing off Google the second they could gain even the slightest sliver of a competitive or revenue advantage from doing so. Frankly Google owes them zilch. In fact having a viable handset business of their own might even give Google more leverage on the licensees. Want these premium features for your phones too? Talk to us, what do you have to offer?

0xFFC 9y ago

This is not accurate at all. Microsoft does the same. But every single laptop manufacturer uses Windows.

lucozade 9y ago

> I think this is Google shooting itself in the foot. Only if it fails. I'm sure this is making Android phone manufacturers nervous but what are their options? Essentially, Samsung would need to revive its mobile OS platform and build a competing ecosystem. That's a huge gamble that's already failed multiple times. It strikes me that it's more likely that they'll take the same dichotomous approach as they do with selling chips to Apple. My guess is that Google are assuming the same.

simonh 9y ago

Google stands to lose nothing of value whatsoever from pissing off the Android handset makers. Especially since they've made no bones at all about pissing off Google the second they could gain even the slightest sliver of a competitive or revenue advantage from doing so. Frankly Google owes them zilch. In fact having a viable handset business of their own might even give Google more leverage on the licensees. Want these premium features for your phones too? Talk to us, what do you have to offer?