So who comes on top during this?

A number of years ago, Apple announced a new way to communicate while on the go.  We all know this as the iPhone.  Since then, it has undergone several upgrades via hardware and OS.  With each iteration it’s gotten better.  Other manufacturers have tried matching the pure simplicity, beauty and power of the iPhone.  Mostly, this turns into a patent war.  Yet what Google did with the release of Android, was to provide an alternative end user experience, and rely on those already with smartphone building experience to meet them in the middle.  This has led to some very great phones (Nexus S, G2, Evo, etc) and some colossal failures.  Now though, with Google acquiring Motorola, the Android game is going to change.

This will be Googles first foray into 1st party hardware support.  It will usher in a new era of Android competition as well.  Up until now, the various phone manufacturers have had their eye solely on the iPhone.  Make something very similar, or heaven forbid better, than the iPhone.  The competition between these companies (HTC, Samsung, Motorola, etc) has mainly been to this end, with the typical one-upsmanship to be expected between brothers-in-arms.  Motorola being acquired by Google takes the company from this level of brotherhood, to an heir of the kingdom.  Other manufacturers should see this as a wake up call.  While they’ve been putting out perfectly adequate phones, they’ve lacked in post-release support with updates to the Android OS.  HTC and Samsung aren’t just competing against Motorola and Apple now.  They’ll be going toe-to-toe with Google.  What does that mean for Android?  It means the quality of the hardware is going to get better, as well as faster and better support from 3rd party manufacturers.

This also means Google will soon be releasing Android phones exactly as they’ve always imagined them.  The hardware will be designed and built by the same company making the software, regardless of Googles promise to “…run Motorola as a separate business.”  That’s just a sentiment to help appease shareholders of both companies, even though we did see a small drop in Googles shares (2.5% as time of writing).  Couple that with Motorolas 56% gain and no one should be worried.  Google doesn’t have to completely absorb Moto to utterly dictate the products developed and sold.  They just need to send over a specifications document saying “Hey guys, 2ghz dual core, “retina” HD display, and a throw in a time machine.  Here’s the money for it.”  Done.  Ok, maybe not quite like that, but still pretty close, right?

How does Apple fit into this picture?  As the most successful model for a smartphone, they control a healthy portion of the smartphone market, with one device.  At first glance, it’s hard to see any correlation between this buy-out and the future of the iPhone.   Imagine two teams, Android and iOS.  So far, Apple has been playing on and off the field, calling the plays, and executing.  In one all powerful crushing method.  Android on the other hand, is playing the numbers game.  They have more plays to run, and more players to sub in.  They used that tactic to come out on top.  Google has been the coach of their team though.  Sitting on the side lines, calling the broad shots.  But now?  They’re doing both, with a full compliment of supporting teammates.  They’re also in control of what players come out onto the field now, and exactly how they look, feel, and operate is their call.  It’s a dangerous combination for any rivals.  And let’s be honest, the Apple-iPhone team is the only competition.  The question is, can the iPhone survive?

Probably.  But now Google can play the game Apples way.  The melding of Google software and hardware is certainly going to play a big role in the smartphone market.  Not just with their partners, but the competition as well.

Let’s not forget the tablets either.  Motorola has made some forays into that field, and El Goog is certainly ensuring Honeycomb is up to snuff.  Which leads me to think this acquisition isn’t just about phones and patents.  I foresee a meteoric rise with the next generation of “Motorola” tablets.  Google is already attempting to corner (and revive) the cheap laptop industry with their Chrome OS.  They dominate the internet.  They now dominate the smartphone market (at least on the OS side).  So a subtextual message that should definitely be taken away from this, is that the guys in Mountain View are opening up another front for their company to tackle.  Just another step on the internet giants road to world domination.