> And, people familiar with the companies say, Google could decide to follow Apple's lead and build a phone from silicon to software, perhaps by creating a separate operating system for Motorola that other phone makers cannot use.
The only way I could see this happening (within the next few years) is if Google makes a Firefox OS-alike. They have way too much invested in Android to give it up so suddenly.
> The only way I could see this happening (within the next few years) is if Google makes a Firefox OS-alike.
Hmm... it could be designed for the web from the ground up, and they could call it Chrome OS! ;P
(edit: I know what you mean, but considering how much the design of Boot to Gecko seems to have been inspired by Chrome OS, I found your comment somewhat funny.)
Yeah, I thought about that, but (A) the big draw of a mobile OS is its apps now, and Google hasn't really done anything with the Chrome Web Store in the mobile direction yet (note its absence on Chrome for Android), and (B) I was typing on a phone :)
Just make the next Android OS Motorola exclusive for 6 months, and then Open Source it... They just have to balance between what they want to do and their OEM partners.
I think that's too drastic of a move, and would severely alienate partners, especially since Google has cultivated strong relationships with OEMs via their GED programs.
A more sensible differentiating move would be to simply strive for a better user experience and more seamless HW/SW integration in their MOT phones by leveraging their deeper understanding of the OS and the framework.
The only way I could see this happening (within the next few years) is if Google makes a Firefox OS-alike. They have way too much invested in Android to give it up so suddenly.