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"Google had no problem with Samsung (or Motorola) shipping Skyhook." You can put as many footnotes as you like, no one will take you seriously if you make clai

• nl 15y ago
  no one will take you seriously if you make claims like this Why? Google has a huge problem with missing out on the location data (ie, Skyhook having an exclusive deal). But Google very plainly doesn't have a problem with other people getting that data as well. There are numerous apps in the Android Market that do similar things, and many manufactures ship apps that dial home with location data (eg, anything that includes ads).
  • Steko 15y ago
    "Why?" Because of the numerous direct quotes from internal Google emails talking about what a disaster it would be and how they quickly sabotaged the skyhook deals with their compatibility club. It's impossible even on a cursory read of what happened to takeaway that Google didn't have a problem with handset makers shipping Skyhook.
    • nl 15y ago
      Read those emails again. They talk about what a disaster it would be for Google to miss out on the data, not that it would be bad for Skyhook to get the data. If you have "numerous direct quotes" then please provide them. In their absence I'd direct you to the footnotes I provided earlier. (Also, I'd note that the quote compatibility club was from an email referring to shipping LogMeIn, not Skyhook, although Skyhook included in their case documents)
      • Steko 15y ago
        Quotes aren't hard to find. "This feels like a disaster :(" "I'll setup sometime this week so we can figure out a good battle plan" "That would be awful for Google" "I cannot stress how important Google’s Wi-Fi location database is to our Android and mobile product strategy" "It's sad to see"
        • nl 15y ago
          All those support exactly what I'm saying: Google wanted to make sure their service was included! None support your claim that Google tried to stop Skyhook being shipped as well.
          • Steko 15y ago
            Given: (1) Skyhook wanted it's service to ship. (2) Samsung wanted Skyhook's service to ship. (3) Motorola wanted Skyhook's service to ship. According to you: (4) Google didn't care Observe: (5) Skyhook's service did NOT ship. It's pretty clear that (4) is the non sequitur. What mystical forces do you suggest stopped this from shipping if not Google?
            • nl 15y ago
              You are misunderstanding the situation. Google cared deeply about their service being missing from the phones. The exclusivity clause in Skyhook's contract was what was stopping that. Skyhook didn't ship because their contract with Motorola (and I assume Samsung) required exclusivity. Google cared deeply about that, and Motorola notified Skyhook that their contract was invalid because of that exclusivity clause. Skyhook didn't ship because they no longer had a contract. If they had found a way to get a new contract then they could have shipped it. Unfortunately for Skyhook, Google managed to prove that their service gave just as good results as Skyhook, and Skyhook couldn't show any additional value so manufactures were no longer interested. (It's worth noting that apparently the manufactures were paying for Skyhook, but didn't have to pay for Google's service.)
        • drivebyacct2 15y ago
          "I cannot stress how important Google’s Wi-Fi location database is to our Android and mobile product strategy" You're quoting this, but you still don't get it? :/
          • Steko 15y ago
            I get it just fine, do you? See how easy a cheap argument that adds nothing to the discussion is? If it's so obvious why don't you go ahead and explain it. I'll recap the argument so far, you tell me where I went wrong. (1) It was claimed that Android was "truly open". (2) I disagree and use the example of Skyhook. (2a) I believe if Android was "truly open" Motorola and Samsung would be allowed to ship the device with another vendor's location service. (2b) Obviously they couldn't so I conclude claims of "true openness" are overblown. (3) At this point people start claiming absurd things like "Google doesn't care if Skyhook shipped" (3a) When imho they obviously did because there's no other explanation for why skyhook's location service didn't ship.