Apple has always considered Google’s Android to be rip-off of the innovations created in the Smartphone arena by Apple. More so because they had a capable competitor that was offering its mobile OS for free. The recent turn of events, with the verdict on the patent infringement law suite between Apple and Samsung being in favour of Apple, cast an indirect spell on Google. To add to odds against Google, judgement of ITC on Apple’s infringement of Motorola Patents also turns out to be in favour of Apple on three of four patents.
Apart from the moral issues involved with patent infringement, Apple wants to curb the growing popularity of Samsung Galaxy devices and keep a check on the number of devices shipped with Android OS to remain in the leading position. Samsung provides similar features, look and feel to the end users at a lower price which directly hurts Apple. But this check on Samsung will prove costly for Google, as major part of the traffic to Google’s search engine comes from the Android devices. This traffic generates huge advertisement revenues for Google. Lesser Android based devices means a cut in revenue.
Among the direct attack made by Apple on Google is the decision of phasing out Google Maps and You Tube from iOS6 based devices which would further add up to the revenue losses by Google. Not only Samsung, Apple has tightened the noose against other mobile devices that are Android based such as Motorola Mobility, HTC and more. OEM manufacturers are bound to shy away from Android to stay away from controversies and damages.
Though Google has a strategy in place for the Mapping app with the introduction of irresistible features to hold on to its existing Maps customer base, but I am not sure what strategy it has in place to circumvent the effect of the recent developments in the Samsung – Apple law suite.
Folks who are secretly enjoying the whole controversy around Apple and Google are Microsoft and Nokia which are ready to make a comeback in the mobile scenario with a range of Nokia devices based on Windows Mobile Platform in the near future. The Nokia Windows smart-phones bring in distinct features that do not stand any chances of infringement of Apple patents. Also Nokia itself has a substantial amount of patents to protect itself from any litigation. With Samsung products taking some time to come bang on with Apple products in the world market, the window created, could benefit the Windows Nokia products planned for release.
Patents will be filed, granted and infringed, but when something uncovers the whole mobile scenario changes. The good effect of the whole episode would be that the device manufacturers would be more careful from now on and the end users can expect some exclusive features in the upcoming releases of smart-phones and tablets.
Who knows, though in the short run the Google’s revenues generated due to Android might come down, in the long run due to innovations and the streamlining of Google play, Android based products might become more popular than Apple? Or this whole turmoil churns out a new leader in mobile market in the form of Nokia Windows Mobile? Or the hype thus created proves truly beneficial for Samsung products designed carefully keeping in mind all the existing mobile patents? Lets wait and watch what the future unfolds.
