Whew. Well, I wasn’t that worried that they wouldn’t let Google buy Motorola, but EU did worry me a little bit because they are also investigating Google for anti-trust issues, and while they might not have blocked the acquisition, they could’ve postponed it. I’m glad they didn’t though.
First of all, I don’t think Google should be prosecuted for anti-trust issues. So far they haven’t been attacked by consumers themselves, and that’s what the anti-trust bodies should be protecting – the consumers – not the competitors, which are the ones complaining about Google. Even former FTC chairs reminded the current FTC chairs this week that anti-trust issues should only be raised when the consumers are in danger, not the competitors.
Anyways, it looks like even EU will approve the acquisition soon, so this is great news for Google and for us, Android fans. I’m hoping the biggest benefit for us will be that Motorola might become the one and only manufacturers to use pure Google experience Android phones. The others are of course welcome to do it, too, but something tells me they don’t want to, other than the occasional Nexus phone made by them.
The other great thing, that I think will surprise many, is that Google actually wants to get into the hardware business, and make new cool devices that they’ve been working on in their labs. We’ve already gotten some rumors this week that they might be working on an Android@home entertainment device, and also some HUD glasses, that would show you augmented reality and also feature a personal assistant to guide you.
So I have a feeling that great things will come out of the Motorola acquisition, which will be Google’s hardware arm, starting with 2012.