HTC maintains Google-Motorola deal a positive
updated 04:00 pm EDT, Fri August 19, 2011
Sees strong, mutually beneficial relationship
HTC's CEO, Peter Chou, has reaffirmed in an interview his company's commitment to Google and its Android OS. After concerns existed that he had been told to give a formulaic quote endorsing the Google deal, he explained that HTC sees Google's commitment is reciprocal. Furthermore, he thought Google's acquisition of HTC's rival cellphone maker Motorola could actually benefit his company.
"This acquisition is more to enhance Google's patent portfolio, to support us, to protect us, so this is good news," said Mr. Chou to the WSJ, echoing the earlier statement but in a more sincere form.
Mr. Chou also was quick to point out that the OS such as Android is only part of the device's "ecosystem" and that HTC had the means to differentiate its phones in other ways.
Mr. Chou made his comments in response to Google's surprise $12.5 billion dollar offer to buy Motorola Mobility on Monday. The Internet search giant made the move to strengthen its intellectual property position, and to better protect its Android OS from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies.
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What he said / meant.
Mr. Chou said: ..."so this is good news"...
What he meant: "We can now double our efforts on our WP7 phones with no guilt."
...HTC had the means to differentiate its phones in other ways.
The same differentiation that caused the catastrophic fragmentation that afflicts Android at the moment. Google will use Motorola as the "reference" platform. Motoroogle's phones will get the latest versions of Android, and HTC and the other generic iPhone cloners will be forced to wait.
$12.5 billion is 1.5 years worth of Google's profits. I wonder how they'll be able to write that off when the Oracle injunction hits...