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Motorola Mobility: Google to Get Into Baby Monitor Business?

Chris Crum — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:57:44 +0000

Everybody in the tech industry is talking about Google’s pending acquisition of Motorola Mobility, which Google has positioned as a defensive maneuver to protect Android from patent wars with the likes of companies like Microsoft and Apple.

While that may very well be the main reason for Google’s most expensive acquisition to date (provided it gets regulatory approval), there are certainly other factors at play and other bonuses that Google gets with the acquisition.

Henry Blodget at Business Insider thinks the whole thing could be a disaster. “Well, for starters, the deal creates major channel conflict: Google is now competing with its partners,” he writes. “And hardware manufacturing is an entirely different kind of business than Google’s core business. And hardware manufacturing is a crappy, low-margin commodity business. And Motorola is massive–Google has just increased the size of its company by 60%. And the deal appears to be purely a defensive move, not an offensive one. And so on.”

HTC, Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson have all lent their public support of the deal. They all pretty much say the same thing: “We welcome it.” I’m guessing the reaction isn’t quite as simple out of the public eye.

Meanwhile, Larry Dignan at ZDNet gives six compelling reasons why it “makes sense” These (in a nutshell) are: “Integration may be all that matters” in wireless, the patents “treasure trove,” TV (Motorola’s set-top box business), Google can likely keep hardware partners “in the fold” at least for now, the deal forces Microsoft’s hand, and Android “boxes in Nokia and RIM”.

The point about the set-top boxes is quite interesting. It’s no secret that Google TV hasn’t quite worked out the way the company hoped, at least as of yet. Could owning Motorola Mobility provide a needed boost to give Google TV more legs to stand on?

There’s also things like:

The Motonav GPS, Modems and routers, and even Baby Monitors. Here’s a look at Motorola’s product page:

Then there’s the various software, like Motoblur, Media Link, Motospeak, etc.

Last year, Motorola Mobility acquired Aloqa, a mobile service that notifies users of places, events, music, movies and other activities based on location and personalization. One has to wonder if Google will do something with this:

Motorola Mobility also acquired Zecter last winter. This was a media sync/streaming company. This could come in handy as the company competes with Apple’s iCloud.

At the time of this writing, Google stock is down 2.58%.

Over a Million Calls Made from Gmail in First 24 Hours

Chris Crum — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:53:37 +0000

Google announced (via Twitter) that over 1,000,000 people placed calls from Gmail within just 24 hours. This feature began rolling out yesterday (and as far as I can tell isn’t even finished yet).

"Gmail voice and video chat makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family using your computer’s microphone and speakers," says Google software engineer Robin Schriebman. "But until now, this required both people to be at their computers, signed into Gmail at the same time. Given that most of us don’t spend all day in front of our computers, we thought, ‘wouldn’t it be nice if you could call people directly on their phones?’"

Over 1,000,000 calls placed from Gmail in just 24 hours! Thanks to everyone using this new feature http://bit.ly/aRgNtcThu Aug 26 18:29:35 via webA Googler
google

Google tested the feature internally before releasing it to the public (in the U.S. so far). When users with Google Voice numbers call people, that number will display as the caller ID.

Along with the launch, the company showed off some phone booths it will be setting up in universities and airports. Danny Sullivan got to peek inside one:

The phone booths should go a long way in showing off this feature and familiarizing people with Google Voice in general, which seems to be the company’s real goal.

Clearly there is an interest in making phone calls from Gmail, as the numbers from the first day indicate.

Google Finally Announcing Cell Phone Project Today

Andy Beal — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:21:21 +0000

UPDATE: The announcement is now confirmed, please see below.

There are many reports from credible news sources that suggest Google will finally put us all out of our misery and tell us what its mobile initiative actually is Reuters, USA Today, and CNET are among those with "sources familiar with the matter."

Don’t have time to read all the buzz?

Here’s the 411:

They’re launching a mobile platform based on Linux.

It’s either going to be called "Android" (CNET) or "G-System" (USA Today).

Phone manufacturers on board include Qualcomm, HTC, Samsung, and Motorola. Nokia is conspicuous by its absence.

Wireless carriers signed-up include Sprint, NTT DoCoMo, and T-Mobile. AT&T & Verizon are hesitant to sign on.

The new platform will speed up phones and make them an open platform for developers.

Announcement will come today, actual phones won’t appear until early next year.

It seems Google is frustrated with all the "wall gardens" in the mobile phone industry and hopes that its initiative will open things up sufficiently to allow it a better opportunity to push Google applications. Hmmm, sounds a lot like its reasons for starting OpenSocial, doesn’t it?

UPDATE: We just received the following from Google…

GOOGLE, T-MOBILE, HTC, QUALCOMM AND MOTOROLA TO DISCUSS NEW OPEN PLATFORM FOR MOBILE DEVICES

WHAT:
Industry leaders hold conference call to discuss the development of Android, the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices, and the announcement of the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of more than 30 technology and mobile industry leaders.

WHEN:
Monday, November 5, 2007, 9:00am pacific / 12:00 pm eastern

WHO:
The following executives will participate in the call:
Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google Inc.
Andy Rubin, Director of Mobile Platforms, Google Inc.
René Obermann, CEO of Deutsche Telekom, parent company of T-Mobile
Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corp.
Paul Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm
Ed Zander, Chairman and CEO of Motorola, Inc.

WHY:
With nearly 3 billion users worldwide, the mobile phone has become the most personal and ubiquitous communications device. However, the lack of a collaborative effort has made it a challenge for developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers to respond as quickly as possible to the ever-changing needs of savvy mobile consumers. Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be an unprecedented mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS:
Toll-free: 800-817-2743
Toll: 913-312-1295
Confirmation Code: Google 8747527

Comments

Monday = Google Phone Day?

WebProNews Staff — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:57:49 +0000

Current buzzings on the Internet suggest Google will have lots to say about its mobile phone strategies after the weekend.

May we preface this by saying, yet again, Google Phone news won’t be interesting until we know more about the underlying network? Thanks.

Wall Street Journal blogger Ben Worthen cited his mothership’s account of forthcoming news from Google, rumored to be arriving soon:

The company looks set to make a splash in the mobile market on Monday, announcing an alliance with various handset makers and cellphone operators around the world that are willing to push its

Google Checkout & Gmail Updates

Manoj Jasra — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:24:08 +0000

I was browsing through the Google Blogs using my Yahoo Pipe and noticed that there have been a couple pieces of cool news item floating around at the the Gmail and Google Checkout blogs.

Gmail Updating Code

So recently the Gmail team has been working on a structural code change that we’ll be rolling out to Firefox 2 and IE 7 users over the coming weeks (with other browsers to follow). You won’t notice too many differences to start with, but we’re using a new model that enables us to iterate faster and share components (we now use the same rich text editor as Groups and Page Creator, and the Contact Manager can be seen in several Google apps). A few other things you will notice are some new keyboard shortcuts and the ability to bookmark specific messages and email searches.

Google Checkout Adds 5 New API Features

* Name Parsing: Provides the first name, last name, and full name of the buyer and
order recipient in separate fields new order notifications.

* Google Promo Notification: If an order is placed under a Google promotion, you can require new order notifications, charge amount notifications, and refund amount notifications to include the promotion amount.

* Ship-to Phone: Returns the buyer’s ship-to phone number in new order
notifications.

* Billing Phone: Returns the buyer’s billing phone number in new order
notifications.

* Improved Notifications: Prevents a merchant from improperly acknowledging a new order notification by requiring their acknowledgment to specify the serial number of the notification.

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Google, Verizon Now Best Of Pals

WebProNews Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:25:51 +0000

All of that legal nastiness between Google and Verizon over the latter’s alleged attempts to alter the conditions of the forthcoming 700MHz spectrum auction has faded, as the two may team up for a Google Phone deal.

Google, Verizon Now Best Of Pals

Let the rampant cynicism begin about Google’s talks with Verizon and Sprint about those carriers offering a Google-powered mobile device to their customers.

First, here’s a brief timeline of how Verizon and Google have gotten along ever since Google proposed four rules of openness in July 2007 to the FCC for the auction:

September 2007: Verizon sues the FCC over the adoption of two of Google’s four suggestions, calling those rules “arbitrary and capricious.” Google criticized Verizon’s action as one that would “prevent consumers from having any choice of innovative services.”

October 2007: Google accuses Verizon of secretly and improperly lobbying the FCC behind the scenes to scrap the two rules of openness it has adopted for the wireless auction.

Now the Wall Street Journal suggests the two companies could be best pals, thanks to the uniting power of the still-unlaunched Google Phone:

Last week, however, Verizon dropped its appeal of the FCC rules. It was unclear whether Verizon’s decision was connected to discussions now under way with Google. A spokesman for Verizon said there was no link between any discussions with Google and the lawsuit.

Interesting development, to be certain. It has been suggested that Google’s hardware would allow Verizon or Sprint, or whichever partnerships they make, to offer the phones cheaper than others.

But we have to wonder how much cheaper a Google Phone can get than free. Visit any wireless company’s retail store, and there is bound to be at least one phone offered for free, in exchange for agreeing to a two-year service agreement.

It doesn’t make sense that cheaper phones would be an enticement to a carrier. They deal with powerful Southeast Asian hardware consortiums now, who deliver inexpensive hardware that Verizon, et al, can provide at no upfront cost to customers.

The only way a cheaper Google Phone could be more appealing would be if Google were paying Verizon to offer it to people.

Aha. I think we just figured out what kind of behind the scenes discussions are taking place. The mobile advertising market is expected to blossom into multi-billions of dollars. Google could be offering Verizon or other carriers a piece of the action.

Verizon would make money coming and going, from the monthly subscriber fee and from ad revenue generated by the actions of the Google Phone users.

If the Google Phone launches as another piece of hardware a carrier can offer, watch the earnings announcements from the wireless companies. We won’t be surprised if they enjoy a little bump in revenue from ad dollars.

GPhone Is Not a Phone?

Mike Sachoff — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:15:00 +0000

Google has been working on a mobile phone project for more than two years and the GPhone has caused expectations in the technology world to rise.

GPhone Is Not a Phone?

Google hopes to capture a larger portion of the mobile Internet and online advertising by convincing wireless carriers and mobile phone makers to offer phones based on its software.

Some experts believe that the Google phone project will not be as innovative initially as the iPhone. "The iPhone was a milestone in terms of how people use a mobile device," Karsten Weide of the research firm IDC told the International Herald Tribune. "The GPhone, if it does come out, will help Google with distribution for their online services."

Most analyst believe that Google is not developing a phone to compete with the iPhone, but is creating software that will provide an option to Windows Mobile from Microsoft and other operating systems. Google is not expected to charge phone makers a licensing fee for the software unlike Microsoft.

"The essential point is that Google’s strategy is to lead the creation of an open-source competitor to Windows Mobile," said an industry executive, who did not want his name used because his company has had contacts with Google. "They will put it in the open-source world and take the economics out of the Windows Mobile business."

Major carriers such as Verizon wireless and AT&T are unlikely to be interested in the Google phone project as they have spent billions building their networks and cresting their own Internet portals. They view Google and other search engines as competitors.

Mahesh Veerina, the founder and chief executive of Celunite, a cellphone software company thinks Google’s offering could be appealing to small carriers, who may view it as another way to compete.

If Google phones are popular with users other carriers could be receptive to the technology said Richard Doherty, director of Envisioneering Group, a consulting firm. He said no one wants to be the last carrier to endorse Google.

Google Phone Rumors Round…What Round Is It?

WebProNews Staff — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:51:45 +0000

They can build it, they have the technology…and the money…and ("probably" said CEO Schmidt, anyway) will have the spectrum…and maybe even the incentive…but will Google give us a Google phone? DigiTimes says "definitely."

Who?

Specifically, Daniel Shen of Taipei, and Steve Shen of DigiTimes, if I’m reading the bylines correctly, who cite, vaguely, "Taiwan handset makers" as their sources, who also say the Google Phone will launch later this year or the first of next year…

…with either EDGE or 3G

…and maybe Google’s own operating system, the Taiwan handset sources speculated

But DigiTimes seems fairly certain High Tech Computer (HTC) – careful not to get those letters mixed up – is "being marked as the manufacturing contractor."

Engadget appears to be true believers, though. Thomas Ricker pleading his case:

Come on Google, it’s post-Labor Day now so just go ahead and announce your plans already. We’re big boys, we can take it.

He’s referring to a rumored announcement that’s forthcoming from Andy Rubin’s team at Google, whose company Android was swallowed up back in a 2005 acquisition.

So…maybe. But maybe’s all we got and all we’ve been given – Google never comments on rumor and speculation. And I suppose I’ll believe it when I see it.

Google Phone Rings Up Mobile OS Rumors

WebProNews Staff — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:16:28 +0000

The latest edition of the Google phone, or gPhone or GPhone, chatter contends the search advertising company has a mobile operating system ready to launch.

Google Phone Rings Up Mobile OS Rumors

Google’s purchase of Android in 2005 kicked off speculation about the company’s interest in mobile services. Android’s work within Google has been completely silent; the Internet has done the talking for Google’s mobile desires.

Engadget offered a post that cited "a number of very trustworthy sources" about Google’s mobile phone work. Soon, Google should make its mobile OS available, and jump into competition with Nokia and Microsoft on that playing field.

"We can’t help wondering what El Jobso thinks about all this. Apple has been so buddy-buddy with Google lately, especially on the iPhone," Engadget’s Ryan Block wrote. A Google phone OS really doesn’t compete with Apple, though.

Apple’s hardware really competes with itself, within Apple’s fervent userbase. Google isn’t going to cannibalize iPhone sales because their business model, advertising, needs to reach as many people as possible. That means less-expensive handsets.

These latest rumors about the Google phone have been popping up faster ever since the announcement about Google providing Sprint’s future WiMAX customers with a portal of services. We’re going to guess that a GPhone will emerge close to Sprint’s opening of that high-speed service.

After all, rich media advertising from Google AdWords will come through a lot better over a fast connection.

GPhone Rumor “Confirmed” Again

WebProNews Staff — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:53:17 +0000

The ‘yes it’s here’, ‘no it isn’t', ‘yes it is’ tennis match of rumors about a Google-powered mobile phone have been entertaining to watch, as yet another source swears on the immaculate souls of Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn souls that the GPhone is alive and on the way.

GPhone Rumor "Confirmed" Again

As each Google Phone rumor makes the rounds, you can’t help but think Elvis and JFK will show up on the front of the Wall Street Journal texting each other with them.

The latest absolute stone-cold GPhone rumor appeared on the blog of Mark “Rizzn” Hopkins, who says what he’s got comes from an inside source at the impenetrable Googleplex, where staffers physically assault photographers trying to take picture of people playing Twister at a party on their campus:

I talked to one of my inside sources at Google today. He spoke on conditions of anonymity, but the guy is someone I trust implicitly. He said that he was baffled at Google’s apparent internal confusion on the GPhone issue – that they’ve actually demo’ed the thing in public before.

He said that the Google (applications) Suite is going to play a huge role in the usability of the GPhone, and the thought process behind it’s functionality is less about beating the iPhone and more about beating the $100 Laptop, which provides a huge clue behind what will be the pricing structure on this.

Hopkins has received some flack in his blog comments from people who aren’t convinced of his post’s veracity. We’re much more interested in a Google network that would back a Google phone, rather than the hardware, but for now we’re happy to mention another story about the GPhone.