ABI Research has stated that its 'Smartphone Technologies and Markets' study explores the leading IC and OS platforms and the outlook for these competing technologies. In addition, it examines technologies that are being integrated into smartphones as competitive differentiators by smartphone OEMs.
The smartphone industry has been witnessing a lot of action over the recent months, with Google's Android platform seen gaining ground. The newly announced acquisition of Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. for $12.5 billion is expected to give Google a more significant direct involvement in the design and production of mobile phone hardware. The move is also seen to shore up a valuable intellectual property portfolio for Google during a time when legal manoeuvring through patent holdings is plaguing the Android market.
The deal, if it goes through, is expected to have several repercussions. The Android platform is on its way to becoming the eventual leading OS in the smartphone market due to its wide OEM support, according to observers. The questions being raised are - does the growing support change for Android now that Google will be in direct competition with its licensees? Also, will the likes of Samsung, Huawei and HTC adjust their strategies by emphasising a competing platform? How it will affect Android's future development remains to be seen. Since Android's innovation relies on the contributions of its licensees, observers wonder if it would all freeze as the deal takes shape. How well RIM and HP capitalise on this opportunity is another question being raised.
Beyond mobile phones and media tablets, Motorola Mobility is seen having a healthy business in the digital home, namely broadband cable modems and set-top boxes. Its strategy has been to promote a "TV everywhere" solution. Google, in contrast, had its foray into this space with Google TV, seen widely as an experiment. A tie-up between Google and Motorola could give Google the expertise it needs to be taken seriously and gain an eventual foothold in content delivered to the home.
ABI Research's 'Smartphone Technologies and Markets' study explores the leading IC and OS platforms and the outlook for these competing technologies. In addition, it examines technologies that are being integrated into smartphones as competitive differentiators by smartphone OEMs.
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