WTF is Google up to?

[DaddyHoggy]

Are they planning to shoot Android in the head?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/08/15 ... ility_wtf/

[Gimi]

Are they planning to shoot Android in the head?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/08/15 ... ility_wtf/

Not sure what they are up to, but I have read speculation that this is mainly a patent acquisition, and that the actual mobile production part will be spun off pretty quickly. It was speculated that google wants more cards on it's hands when fighting off breach of patent litigations concerning Android by it's competitors. Still, bold move and if I was CEO of HTC or SE I would be pretty pissed right now.

[Selezen]

Word on the street is that El Google are gearing up to take Apple on in the "Patent Wars" after they managed to block Samsung's Galaxy 10.1 tablet.

By acquiring a hardware manufacturer and patenting a device that will carry Android, they should have enough weight to prevent further Apple travesties.

At least that's my take on what I've been reading. I don't know how much lead time Google has had on the acquisition before the Apple/Samsing thing went public, so it may just be a coincidence.

I hope the scuttlebutt is right, though. Apple need some serious competition. The prices for their devices need to come down, and another software/hardware combination that takes them on in the iPad wars is sorely needed.

[DaddyHoggy]

So why Apple are busy picking on Android, it would now seem that Openwave is going to sneak up behind Apple (and RIM) and try the same...

http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1 ... rim_apple/

[Cmdr Wyvern]

Apple and Microsoft, apparently, can't compete fairly with Android, so they patent troll instead. I note their trolling/extortion isn't aimed directly at Google, but rather the makers of hardware running Droid.

My guess is Google's trying to rally a defensive move.

[Ironfist]

It is interesting the latest speculation is that Motorola's losses might be the reason as well as the patents. The losses can be offset against tax to good effect.

[DaddyHoggy]

It is interesting the latest speculation is that Motorola's losses might be the reason as well as the patents. The losses can be offset against tax to good effect.

Yeah, I saw that (also on The Register) - so "Do no evil" != "Pay your taxes" (although I believe in the US it is illegal for a company to pay more taxes than absolutely necessary within the letter of the law)

[Disembodied]

Yeah, I saw that (also on The Register) - so "Do no evil" != "Pay your taxes" (although I believe in the US it is illegal for a company to pay more taxes than absolutely necessary within the letter of the law)

I think it's more that failure to maximise profits can leave a company open to a class action suit from its shareholders, on the grounds that those shareholders want to receive the maximum possible legal return on their investment. Google don't have to take advantage of all the various neat little tax loopholes governments inexplicably leave lying about; but if they don't, then their shareholders are liable to sue them for supporting the continued existence of the societies in which the shareholders live ... it's a funny old world.