So two things. The title is LITERALLY: "Google signs agreement with HTC, continuing our big bet on hardware" - notice the continuing. The guy writing the blo

So two things. The title is LITERALLY: "Google signs agreement with HTC, continuing our big bet on hardware" - notice the continuing. The guy writing the blog post came from Motorola... so I don't think he's trying to hide it. As others have mentioned, Motorola was 90% about the patents because they were fighting trench warfare with Apple AND Microsoft at the time. And 10% about having some say over a premium phone that wasn't full of garbage overlays. They were at war with Samsung over Touchwiz and Tizen at the time. So ya... it was 100% a strategic move, and exactly why the bailed as soon as humanly possible.