Google-Motorola deal could drive Samsung and HTC to Windows Phone

Google's shock $12.5bn acquisition of Motorola Mobility could have huge benefits for Microsoft by forcing companies such as Samsung and HTC, which favoured the Android platform, to switch allegiance to Windows Phone.

IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo told V3 that, while the move gives Motorola the financial power and reach of Google, other manufacturers may be wary of sticking with Android.

"The deal means that Google will now be competing directly with the likes of HTC, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, and this could force them to focus more strongly on other platforms, most notably Windows Phone," he said.

"Samsung and HTC are already playing with other platforms, so this could help reinforce that push."

However, Pete Chou, chief executive of HTC, welcomed the deal as it will help to protect Android in the face of ongoing legal battles.

"We welcome the news of today's acquisition, which demonstrates that Google is deeply committed to defending Android, its partners and the entire ecosystem," he said.

The chief executives of Sony Ericsson and LG offered prepared statements welcoming the deal, but notably there was no comment from Samsung, the biggest seller of Android handsets.

The deal could also help Google to enhance its patent portfolio in the wireless and mobile space, but Jeronimo said that, although Motorola owns a huge number of mobile patents, they will not end Google's current legal issues.

"Motorola does have a wide selection of patents as its mobile phone technology dates back as far as the 1970s. It won't mean that Google won't face legal challenges, but it will give it a better chance of negotiating," he said.

Google-Motorola deal could drive Samsung and HTC to Windows Phone

Patents expert Florian Mueller agreed with this assessment, noting that Motorola has been sued on previous occasions by the very companies that Google chief executive Larry Page said the deal would protect Google against.

"Microsoft sued Motorola without being concerned about Motorola's own patent portfolio, and Apple became embroiled in litigation with Motorola later that same month. I wouldn't overestimate the strength of Motorola's patents," he told V3.

Mueller also agreed that other vendors pushing the Android platform will be negatively affected by the deal.

"For Android device makers, Google's Motorola deal is potentially very bad news. They'll have to compete on a non-level playing field," he said on Twitter.

Principal analyst at Analysys Mason, Steve Hilton, added that that deal gave Google access to a major hardware manufacturer to help it test and improve its Android operating system and other mobile products.

"Even if the Motorola Mobility unit of Google doesn't end up being highly profitable, owning a credible manufacturer where you can begin to incubate, pre-test, and implement new mobile-centric solutions is a good thing for Google," he said.

"Google will now own a hardware vendor where its OS and applications can - in theory - be leading-edge. Some consumers will be willing to pay for those types of solutions."