Motorola hints at Microsoft deal

[Archean]

Motorola is open to the idea of partnering with Microsoft to produce Windows Phone handsets, although only if the revised platform proves its longevity. Motorola is open to the idea of partnering with Microsoft to produce Windows Phone handsets, although only if the revised platform proves its longevity.

I think Cox's observation that it is to compete with Nokia is reasonable one, but it will be interesting to see how these two work things out considering their legal battles.

 

[fazers_on_stun]

Too late - Google just bought the Moto cellphone spinoff - guess it'll be called Moogle 😛.

 

[Archean]

LoL, probably, but I will still put MS in an strategically advantageous position because of their deal with Nokia. Plus there is small matter of them having an option to buy it as well. With its recent acquisition, Google now has the "trifecta". Google has

- Motorola Mobility - smartphones/ handsets
- Android for the OS
- StreetView - Google collects and provides their own nav and traffic data

Availability of navigation data and gps nav apps are key for a platform to sell.

MS needs all 3 to compete as an "equal" with Google. Only buying Nokia (with NAVTEQ) gives them

- Nokia - for the smartphones/ handsets
- WP7 for the OS
- NAVTEQ for nav and traffic data

Any other purchase would still leaves MS dependent on a 3rd company for their nav data and traffic.

IMO Nokia is much bigger, more recognized brand the world over, than Motorola ever was. So if MS buys it it gets access to most of emerging markets instantaneously on top of the stuff they will get. Even more interesting scenarios is that now Big G has Motorola, they can be very competitive to likes of Samsung + LG + HTC etc. in US. This can also mean opportunity for other operating systems to come to fore, e.g. Bada (I've tried it, it is not as polished but it isn't bad at all), or WP-M (which has much more polished and fluent interface than Android IMO), which these OEMs will do to reduce their reliance on Big G (it being a competitor now).

Anyway we sure live in some interesting times.