Nokia boss Stephen Elop seeks to spread doubt among Android handset makers after Google's Motorola buy

Chief executive tries to unnerve the opposition

Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop has fanned the flames over Google's recent purchase of Motorola Mobility, apparently seeking to exacerbate any concerns handset rivals such as Samsung and HTC may have that Motorola will now get preferential treatment over Android.

Elop told attendees at a seminary in Helsinki on Wednesday that Motorola rivals in the Android handset market are right to fear what may happen once the $12.5bn acquisition is completed.

"If I happened to be an Android manufacturer or an operator, or anyone with a stake in that environment, I would be picking up my phone and calling certain executives at Google and saying: 'I see signs of danger ahead,'" he is reported by Reuters as saying.

Elop also went on to suggest that the acquisition justifies his decision to partner with Microsoft to build Windows Phone devices, rather than the Google platform.

"The first reaction I had was very clearly the importance of the third ecosystem and the importance of the partnership that we announced on 11 February. It is more clear than ever before," he said.

Elop's comments seem to echo those of many commentators on the surprise deal which was announced on Monday.

IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo told V3 that other manufacturers could now be wary of sticking with Android.

"The deal means that Google will now compete 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."

Sony Ericsson, HTC and Samsung all responded to the deal with brief prepared statements, welcoming the acquisition as proof that Google is "deeply committed" to defending the Android ecosystem, although it remains to be seen whether their strategies will change in the future.

If Elop is right and some Android handset makers move to Windows Phone, Nokia may well find itself with a competitive advantage by virtue of having moved to the platform early on, according to analysts.