Google wants to create and sell its own hardware, like Apple

Google wants to create and sell its own hardware, like Apple
Last year, Google shocked the world by purchasing Motorola Mobility for $12 billion.

At the time, the search giant said it was buying the company for one reason alone; patents.



It appears that is not entirely true, as BI is reporting that Google is instead looking to get into the hardware business, following Apple's model of offering the hardware and the software and being the seller, cutting out middle-men.

The word comes via those in Google's inner circle, who continue to be briefed on future plans.

There is, of course, one huge caveat with Google's plan; its current partners. Major Android partners like HTC and Samsung are said to be furious with the development and have even already committed more support for Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 Apollo.

For the time being, Motorola and Google are working as separate companies until the acquisition is completed globally but the news is certainly something to take note of. A Google Nexus phone built by Google, running the latest Android, and sold by Google (possibly in Google retail stores) would certainly help remove a good amount of the fragmentation issues inherent of Android and turn up the heat on Apple.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Apr 2012 23:32
Tags
hardware Google Motorola nexus
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  • 18 comments
  • plutonash

    Did anyone not expect this to happen?

    "Cable thief is a victimless crime."

    18.4.2012 01:23 #1

  • madpappi

    Originally posted by plutonash: Did anyone not expect this to happen? i was thinking the same thing .
    it seems like the logical next move use other companies to get the word out then swoop in and own the market on brand recognition alone. even of the companies that are working with them now get angry they will have very little choice in whats left in the world of smart phones? the only major players left are apple( who will not deal with anyone else) windows phone ( barely a player), and android. i think most companies will stay with android either way unless google closes the door on them and that would just be silly.

    18.4.2012 01:30 #2

  • Morreale

    So their working on their own Nexus phone rather than re-branding a HTC or Samsung phone... Not really seeing what's wrong with this :s

    *\\\****//\\\***//\\\*****
    **\\\**//**\\\*//**\\\*******
    ***\\\//****\\\ ****\\\****

    18.4.2012 01:36 #3

  • dali

    One more reason to support WP7 or WP8 instead of Android... At least until some new open platform comes up. Bad move, Google.

    "You know, it seems that quotes on the internet are becoming less and less reliable." -Abraham Lincoln.

    18.4.2012 05:59 #4

  • LordRuss

    The only way I see Google making this venture happen is if they learn from CrApple's mistakes & DON'T crush their customer base under stupid pricing points. I.e., offer a forward thinking, somewhat advanced performing product at a price point that either matches or slightly beats the current market.

    Obviously, seeing as they have positioned themselves to take out a few of the middle men, I would opt for them to price at slightly below the market. However, time & greed will be the test on that. Quality & craftsmanship will just have to wait as well.

    Another thing that has been touched on is the fact that whether or not this is going to bleed into the tablet market as well. We've all heard smatterings of Google building their own tablet as well; why wouldn't this fall in line accordingly?

    http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

    18.4.2012 10:46 #5

  • A5J4DX

    it would be the best move xD

    18.4.2012 13:21 #6

  • dali

    Originally posted by A5J4DX: it would be the best move xD
    It would be reasonable, but not a good move. Turning all of their former partners into enemies doesn't seem logical, specially for one company whose policy has always been the opposite of Crapple's, and which, ultimately, made them someone.

    "You know, it seems that quotes on the internet are becoming less and less reliable." -Abraham Lincoln.

    18.4.2012 17:29 #7

  • i1der

    i see more of the same... They are building the NEXUS brand for a purpose... But i don't see them just kicking out the they partners

    19.4.2012 14:12 #8

  • ThePastor

    Look for the blowback to come from the Phone companies.
    Google will want to sell unlocked phones. Phone companies can easily restrict them.
    Google will try to get deals with Verizon/ATT/Sprint. Phone companies can play hardball here.
    Yeah, the manufacturers are the ones who are pissed. They will voice that opinion to the phone companies and the result will be that Google will have a phone which will appear to be overpriced that can't be used on a phone network without serious premiums.

    It'll be a nightmare. Google will cry foul... and the ultimate loser is us, the user.

    All that being said... I hope to hell Google makes their own phone. Tells the Phone companies how far to stick it up their own asses and creates their own system that causes the whole house of cards to fall in on itself.

    Buhahahahahahahah

    "But the bigger point here is that UMG has effectively admitted this takedown was never about copyright. They demanded YouTube censor Megaupload and justify that by saying they have a contract which allows it so its fine. Its painfully clear what they would do with a law like SOPA that gives them much more power"

    19.4.2012 16:10 #9

  • TrinUK

    It wont matter long term. WW3 will change that or Solar flares will pulse out much of the network in space. What the Sun doesnt finish? approaching asteroids will. As for down here? with the earths magnetic field going loopy at the mo and the North Pole drifting to Siberia? Communications will be screwed. We should enjoy the time we have instead of worrying about Apple and Google.

    Chomps burger and slurps beer.......

    Trin - Making Digital Waves

    20.4.2012 10:07 #10

  • buogle

    Wow this cool

    20.4.2012 10:11 #11

  • GernBlan

    Yup, the telecoms will push back about the unlocked phone, and then Google will just buy one of the smaller telecoms and offer the total package, probably putting at least one of the big three out of business. Next is Google Satellite TV -- probably from buying DISH.

    20.4.2012 12:35 #12

  • Mr-Movies

    I don't think Google will buy Sprint in the short term but maybe as they get bigger.

    I would say Russ hit the nail on the head and we will see more turmoil coming...

    20.4.2012 13:13 #13

  • ThePastor

    Well, one very serious problem we have in our current system is that there is no place for unlocked phones.
    There is no pricing plan that is sufficiently discounted to make buying a phone outright worth-while.

    If I could buy a phone from Google and put it on a major network at a serious discount price I would do that in a heartbeat.
    Right now, that simply does not exist.

    "But the bigger point here is that UMG has effectively admitted this takedown was never about copyright. They demanded YouTube censor Megaupload and justify that by saying they have a contract which allows it so its fine. Its painfully clear what they would do with a law like SOPA that gives them much more power"

    20.4.2012 15:25 #14

  • omegaman7

    Seems like a wise business decision to me! Wish I had money to invest in such things :(


    20.4.2012 16:17 #15

  • LordRuss

    Originally posted by ThePastor: Well, one very serious problem we have in our current system is that there is no place for unlocked phones.
    There is no pricing plan that is sufficiently discounted to make buying a phone outright worth-while.
    Politics within the corporates. An even nastier game than I would ever think about putting my waders on & venturing into that cesspool. Once someone has placed what seems to be a standard into play, everyone had better follow suit or suffer the wrath.

    Unless you have both balls & pockets deep enough to destroy your enemies, you'll be wise to follow suit. It just seems to be how the game is played.


    http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

    20.4.2012 16:20 #16

  • WierdName

    Well, at least it would help shut up the people who have phones that "just work" because they're made by one company that makes both the hardware and software (designed for said hardware). It'll be interesting if they ever move into traditional computers (laptops, desktops).

    I really hope this doesn't hurt support for my Motorola phone though... A guy can hope.

    Doesnt expecting the unexpected make the unexpected expected and therefore mean youre expecting the expected which was the unexpected until you expected it?
    "Opinions are immunities to being told were wrong." - Relient K

    20.4.2012 18:21 #17

  • salsa36

    "Like Apple"
    How original. Maybe they are coming with a zune or a touch phone!

    20.4.2012 23:27 #18

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