By It gets a little lonely running the late night shift here at Phandroid. Since, like most people, I have an opinion on everything and since I was feeling a bit chatty — I figured I’d share with you guys my thoughts on exactly what we should expect from the now complete, Google/Motorola merger: absolutely nothing.
Okay, maybe that’s being a bit harsh. There are some big changes taking place. For one, Google is replacing current Moto CEO Sanjay Jha with Dennis Woodside, Google’s previous president of Americas region. There’s also rumblings — though nothing official — that a handful of top level Motorola executives will also be given the boot, replaced with fresh new Googlers.
Sounds great right? Google, now finally in full control of Motorola, has nobody to stand in their way. This is what is leading some “Android enthusiasts” to believe that this will become Android’s new golden age. With Google at the reins, it makes sense that will now finally start pumping out shiny, new, vanilla Android devices from Motorola’s factories, right? Not quite. And I’m not saying this because I don’t want it to happen. Really, I do. It’s only because of Google previously mentioned that they would continue to operate Motorola as a separate entity (just filled with ex-Google execs). And I’m inclined to take them at their word.
Moto Blur UI Is Here To Stay
Love it or hate it, Motoblur isn’t going anywhere. And who could blame ’em. The thing is, not only do manufacturers rely on their custom UI’s and skins to differentiate themselves from the competition, they also need it to sell their devices to carriers. The thing that most of us forget, is that carriers are the ones in control. They’re the ones that purchase these devices from OEM’s, who then offer them to us, the consumer. In a way, that means, they’re the real customers, not us. Sounds crazy, right? And without those custom UI’s you hate so much, not only would consumers begin seeing all Android devices as the same (with little need to upgrade), carriers wouldn’t know the differences either. Sure, you can upgrade the specs and change up the designs, but that only goes so far. More needs to be done to create a unique product and altering the look of the OS is where custom UI’s come in.
Multiple Nexus Device Rumors Muddy Things Up
Lately, there’s been some chatter around the interwebs that Google could be partnering with manufacturers to introduce Nexus devices across multiple hardware configurations. In my mind, this is the best and only option for OEM’s to not only keep churning out their unique UI’s for the masses, but shut up Android enthusiasts like myself, who are constantly demanding a stock Android experience from every single manufacturer under the sun. Think abou it. That’s really the only way to make everyone happy (even though, we all know it’s impossible to please everyone). The masses get their custom UI. The 1% get their stock Android. After all, Android’s greatest strength has always her been options. But if this is true (and I sure hope it is), that’s yet another reason why Google will not being using Motorola to pop out stock Android devices and take over the world. Sorry, folks.
Googorola, Let Our Bootloaders Go
My only request (or hope, rather) is that with a greater Google influence, maybe we’ll see start seeing Motorola keep their promises and make a new dedication to unlocking bootloaders on their devices (where carriers permit it). This would allow Android enthusiasts — the ones who are the most opposed to custom UI’s — to get rid of Motoblur, and flash clean, stock, AOSP ROMs like CyanogenMod or AOKP. To me, that would usher in a new golden age of Android, taking things back to the days of Android development, when ROMs flowed aplenty, and the we were only limited by “devs” like Drizzy and JAC.
Make Firmware Updates Go Kicky Fast, Okay!
But really, that’s just me with my head in the clouds. I’m a realist. And I realize carriers are more than likely to blame for locked down devices than the OEM’s. That’s why I don’t think much more will come out of Google’s now complete acquisition of Motorola than a focus on fewer devices — and no, not a single Nexus device. They’ll all be running Motoblur. Which leads me to my second request: at least speed up the process for timely firmware updates. This is an area that not only manufacturers have been blamed for, but Google as well. Given that Google would never alienate current Android partners by doing too much to favor Motorola (one of the reasons we haven’t seen a Nexus device from them just yet), maybe they could show these partners how timely updates are done. This would create competition by nothing more than a company offering faster updates. That way consumers win, Google wins, everyone wins.
So that’s abou it for me. What about y’all? What do you guys think will come out of the merger? Realistically, what are some of the things you expecting to see (or just plain hoping for) from the new, and Google improved Motorola?
If custom UI’s are essential to differentiate, and if people would not upgrade without them, how come Apple keep selling new iPhones that aren’t very different from earlier models, hardware AND software wise?
And yes I know Apple is the only manufacturer there. This is not something the general user will really care about though.
With so few devices coming out that actually use Android’s stock UI, releasing devices with stock Android would actually be differentiating.
On the whole I don’t agree at all with custom UI’s being needed to differentiate. There are many other ways to differentiate.
The average consumer just wants a device that looks nice and works well.
Apple is not a manufacturer. I’m just sayin.
Exactly. Differentiate devices with better build quality, better customer service, and more clear and timely update process, and better device performance. It’s argued time and time again that mainstream consumers could care less about skins, but I strongly disagree. The key thing here is that mainstream consumers care about a quality device, quality customer service, clear updates, and a consistent experience. That’s why so many people are picking up iPhones. A custom skin unless extremely well done runs in the face of all of that.
A strawman argument if ever I heard one. iOS products are not only single source, meaning they don’t compete against each other, but are naturally differentiated from Android products. And what is the argument people use for liking iPhones? Is it the superior technology? The cutting edge feature set? No, because iPhone has neither. They like the UI.
I agree, he makes the argument that carriers and customers wouldn’t know what the difference is or feel motivated to upgrade. I wonder how he thinks laptops and desktops are made. All of which are generally the same except that there is no real carrier. Consumers know the difference and upgrade as needed, as do the manufacturers who pick updated hardware. I’m sure the carriers are as capable of differentiating as consumers and producers.
I think the laptop comparison is very fitting. Everyone buys a new laptop, but they all run Windows 7 + bloatwares. If anything, this is a testament on how all this “UI differentiation” thing is a bunch of horse crap.
I don’t agree with the laptop comparison. First, cell phones are sold for very similar pricing. Second, hardware is pretty similar now-a-days as well. Not much difference between the two. So when you look at laptops, they are purchased by consumers by mostly price or hardware…completely different things then cell phones are. Sure there are differences with cpu or display, etc, but ultimately, majority of consumers don’t know the difference, just like with laptops. That is why they mod the UI. Now I am against it myself as I like to have control over my own device, but that’s my two cents.
Well, it’s a little different when it comes to Android. Google made Android open source so that manufacturers could do with it as they please. And that’s what they’ve been doing.
Why has Android been so appealing to manufacturers vs. say Windows Phone? That’s because they can theme it up, put their own apps in, and call it their own.
Manufacturers like Android because it lets them create their own “OS” (Amazon took it a little far) while having access to a large app catalog (Play Store).
just saying hello from Australia :)
Hello! :)
eh, doesnt really matter to me. I dont buy motorola phones
What a video! You woke me up early in the morning. :D
Better GoogleTV hardware solutions with DVR capabilities.
Quite right. What I’d really like to see is Google using Moto’s cable box business to start including GTV with cable services. Though I have no idea how receptive the cable providers might be to that idea.
I agree with DefaultUser. Why do manufacturers need custom UIs? They can go with custom APPS. For example Samsung can put their custom Contacts and messaging apps on top of AOSP, plus the S-apps for the S-pen. Who is stopping them? Similarly HTC can plonk down their famous weather widget and the fablulous contacts app. Manufacturers can easily provide their own widgets in addition to Google’s widgets. Yes I know some of what I suggest is commonly known as bloatware, but bloatware on top of AOSP is preferable to bloatware with Sense or Touchwiz.
Innit?
You’re right. And why not offer skins as just that, a skin that isn’t ingrained into the core ROM. Give me something that’s removable and uninstallable and won’t delay my upgrade if I so choose. Is it so hard for manufacturers to understand that consumers want higher quality devices over unnecessary features and complicated skins? That’s why so many people are flocking to the iPhone. It’s not that it’s a better device, but it’s certainly of a higher quality with a more consistent user experience, better customer service, and more clear upgrade path.
I think there are better ways at handling custom UI’s for sure. I’ve thought about it before, and the way you described would be ideal for Android enthusiasts like us.
I wish it were this way but the reason it isn’t is because there would be no incentive to get a particular phone with the features you want. If it’s just an app or widget it could be put on any phone. They make their apps link to each other in order to work so they can’t be used on other phones. I’d love a moto phone with htc weather, blur dialer, and everything else asop.
I want to go ahead and say that a Nexus actually has a custom UI. It’s Google’s UI, and no one else uses it with the exception of a few phones like the G2x and whatever.
I disagree with your point on MotoBlur. Custom skins cost money to develop and maintain, slow upgrades, complicate carrier staff training, increase the learning curve for basic users, and add no value. Custom apps, if done right, can add value and differentiate as Samsung is doing with the Note and GSIII. Further, and unlike a year a two ago, the vanilla Android OS can stand on its own. In addition, the deep market penetration of Android has caused it to become something of a standard like Windows for computers — this drastically cuts the user learning curve, improves the experience, and benefits the carrier.
I still think MotoBlur could be going the way of the dinosaur, and good riddens! Skins only complicate the upgrade process and slow down device performance. The extra additions require more RAM and have style discontinuities with apps that follow the standard Android styling. If you look at the leaked ICS roms for the Razr and Droid 4, much of MotoBlur has already been stripped away and I see no reason for this trend to reverse especially now that a Google employee is at the helm.
Enough with the “skins are needed for differentiation argument” because it’s a lie. In this Android world we live in, having no skin is differentiation enough itself. How about instead of differentiating their devices with bloated and unnecessary skins, manufacturers offer me better device performance, a more consistent UI, and more timely updates with no skin. Differentiate with better service, not skins. I could see Motorola taking the lead with this and showing other OEM’s that skins aren’t necessary to differentiate. A consistent UI hasn’t hurt Windows. A Toshiba Satellite and an HP Envy may run the same Windows UI, but the Envy is set apart by it’s better build quality and customer service.
Also, yes carriers are very much in charge, but they shouldn’t be. Does Apple get bossed around by carriers? No, so why should anyone else? It’s time for manufacturers to stand up against carriers and stand up for consumers. Carriers are content launching dozens of blockbuster devices, leaving older devices without updates, bloating devices with unnecessary apps, and overall dictating the consumer’s Android experience. It’s time an Android manufacturer stood up to the carriers and I think with Google and their rather large stash of cash, Motorola can lead this charge as well.
You may think that these things will be left alone because of what Google said and it’s how Motorola has been doing business for years, but this company is part of Google now. They may want to keep them at arm’s length to keep other manufacturers happy, but they wouldn’t have installed a Google employee as CEO if they didn’t want change. Motorola’s priority is now to spread the Google brand, and the way to do that is to keep consumers happy with Android and to maintain a consistent experience to how Google feels Android should be offered. I think that means no skins, better updates, and likely more friction with carriers.
I disagree that custom skins are needed for differentiation but I agree with the conclusion that Blur is here to stay. No one else is doing stock Android. With Gingerbread we had the Nexus S, G2X (which technically wasn’t stock) and eventually the G2. Three phones all 2011 with stock Android. How many Sense, Touchwiz and Blur phones did we get? One of the best ways a manufacturer could differentiation now is to use plain Android. Especially since the leaks of ICS Blur look an awful lot like stock ICS with worse icons.
But as you said, the skins are here to stay. I also hope for some unlocked bootloaders. Honestly, if Motorola released the RAZR MAXX with a Tegra 3 or Snapdragon S4, 720p screen, ICS, and unlocked bootloader they’ve got one of the top 3 phones of the year already. I don’t understand why something so easy seems so hard…
The G2 was stock Android?
I’m pretty sure it was. On T-Mobile USA, it was basically the Desire Z with stock Froyo.
I’m with you. Custom skins are NOT necessary to differentiate. If the OS wasn’t open source (like iOS and WP7 are) then how would you differentiate? With hardware. With services that are added to the phone via apps or other software or services provided by the manufacturer. With warranties. These things differentiate phones outside of their software.
I understand that iOS is only on Apple devices, and that there aren’t multiple manufacturers of iOS device like there are for Android and WP7. How do they differentiate WP7 phones? With hardware and design. Size of the phone, durability/materials, colors, screen, battery, etc.
Do custom UI’s HELP differentiate the phones and manufacturers? Of course. Are they 100% necessary? No. Are they ever going away? Probably not, as long as Android is open source. (And if it even stops being open source, we have more to worry about than a custom UI.)
Unlocked bootloader would be nice, but motoblur doesn’t really bother me too much nowadays. just install a new launcher with custom icons and blur disappears.
Yes but moto blur services will still be running in the bg hogging up memory.. unless you root, the blur will be with you. annoying, really
no phone of mine is safe from being rooted!
Don’t forget blur has customized apps too. I can’t remember how things were on my Droid 2 Global, but I’m sure they themed and customized how their alarm clock worked, limiting the number of alarms that could be set, among other things. I’m stuck on touchwiz now with a phone that can’t escape it and the apps it comes with at stock are just terrible. I never thought someone could make a less intuitive calendar and alarm clock.
I think this analysis is right on the nose, like it or not. Sanjay left with a nice bit of pocket change and a resume that allows him to go most anywhere. Other senior manager might also leave, some voluntarily if they get a nice payout from the sale, others because as fewer phones are developed, fewer departments are needed. Right away you can predict that GSM/UMTS and CDMA groups will merge and shrink into a single LTE unit.
And by reducing the number of models produced, you make it more likely that any given model gets an update faster. It’s easier to produce 4 updates per year than 14.
This all assumes Google will actually keep Motorola long term. This was a move to acquire patents. I can see them keeping the patents and selling off the rest, possibly whole or more likely in pieces.
anyone know who manufactures the Project Glass glasses? Could be Moto
If Motoblur is here to stay…i’d choose it over touchwiz or sense. Dont love it, but i do like it more than the other 2. No comment on LG UI. Havent had the chance to see it in action personally.
I think things might change because even though they said they wouldn’t do anything with Motorola they’ve already gotten rid of the CEO and that is a big thing.
Google needs to buy T-Mobile, make super phones, and take over the world!
Doesn’t matter too much to me unless Google makes some big changes for the better and does more than they said they would. I like Motorola’s hardware. Just not their software. Kill Motoblur and make a Nexus device. I’ll be happy.
Although I agree with most everything in this article, I would have to disagree that there will not be major changes. Those changes may not happen in the near future, but you can’t expect google to keep the status quo for long. I’m sure they will exert more control over the next couple of years and Motorola will be producing devices that google wants in the marketplace. Just a matter of time and not necessarily a bad thing.
FYI August is in 3 months…just sayin ;-)
The only thing I would actually like to see is unlocked bootloaders or unlock them like htc does. I mean once you have that you can get rid of everything else if you want and I actually do not mind blur.
I’m going to disagree with you Chris, I think Motorola could differentiate themselves by being a stock Android only mode of operations. Mainly the biggest obvious benefit would be very fast updates to the latest Android flavor. ICS? Done. Jellybean? Done. There would still be some obvious delay since it takes time to ensure the next version plays nice with the hardware, but when you look at the Nexus devices, they have the advantage over many other phones (though I will also admit that much of that is due to the Nexus being the “reference device” for Google to test any updates to. And there would still be the carriers getting in the way as usual (since that’s all they apparently know how to do).
Going forward there is only one thing I really really want from the future handsets, but much of that is on the software end with Android itself; let us delete bloat! Even Windows, that is notorious for bloat, you can get rid of Norton, and a bunch of other apps and services, plus that has carried over to Windows Phone where you have the option to delete bloat apps. Some of the native apps should clearly remain a part of the ROM, such as native Google services, and basic functions, like the phone app, but otherwise let me delete bloat!
I agree with your “Moto BLUR UI is here to stay” paragraph, because it shows you just how stupid a lot of people on the internet can be. If there was no UI, every Android phone would be almost the same. Accept for the specs, and the name.
Oh, but internet people are always right about everything though, because, you know, they know how the business works…
Phones are basically miniature computers nowadays; windows 7 has the same ui regardless of whether dell, hp, or samsung are producing the hardware and they are still selling in droves. People pay attention to the specs and the additional hardware features which come with those computers… Why cant the same be true for the cell phone market??? These different android software variants do more good for the carrier and more harm for the consumer. The carriers find it that much easier to move a product because of the differentiating skin; however that said product may not work with a ton of apps because of that same differentiating skin. So who is stupid?
Who is stupid? How about the fact that people like you seem to think that just because a small community says so on a website, that it equals every other smart phone user’s opinion? The world out there (you know, offline?) mostly doesn’t care about power. Plenty of people over 40, don’t care about power. There are people out there that use Moto’s exercise UI (something about a smart watch, I don’t know much about it) when on the internet, its just another one of Moto’s “useless” UI programs. People do find uses to these things you know. And there’s simply no way of getting phone manufacturers to stop putting it in either, as this article has just explained why they can’t. Hell, I’ve been meaning to try out some photo share thingy by Moto on my phone. It makes me laugh, because the internet smartphone community isn’t the only one filled with people who think that they know what’s best for consumers. Here’s an example. I’m a pro-wrestling fan, and I go on news sites related to those topics, and there are people, like you, who feel the need to respond to a person’s comment(s) as they feel the need to correct said person and tell them what the consumers (in this case, TV viewers) really want. When in actual reality, they would make a company go bust within a week. Its the same with the internet video game community. Its the same all over the internet. There will always be a minority online who think they know what’s best. But the truth is, nobody could care less. Otherwise, sales for smart-phones wouldn’t be as high right now, would it?
My Dad has had a SE X10mini pro for a while now (a 2010 model) and all he is interested in is GPS apps, the camera, and that’s just about it. And there are plenty more people out there that just don’t care for power (honestly, how many apps out there currently utilize 4 processors?)
You lot seem to forget, the users of smart-phones are not all 18 – 36 year old’s who only care about “power” and “speed”. Granted, laptops are similar. Same with PC’s. But in this day in age, does the average consumer actually NEED a high end PC that could run amazing graphics and processing speeds? Heck no. They just go with whatever brand they like (even then, each brand still packs its own UI in). Its mostly about going on the internet, and that’s it. Not everyone is into power. Also, we’re talking about smart phones. There is a big difference in usage, believe it or not. Oh, and the same can’t be true for the smart phone market, because the majority of people out there care more for their basic apps. If specs REALLY mattered, then phones like the Motorola Atrix 4G would be best seller right now (back then it was really something). They’re not. Its either iPhones, or the Galaxy SII (and both of those were wiped out specs wise a mere few months later).
I won’t scan through this large comment to check if its typed out correctly or not. I just typed on the fly, and was about to go to bed (knackered as hell).
Easy there tiger, you type as though you have a lot at stake riding on this… I was merely pointing out in my comment that android phones have basically grown into personal computers with one major exception; differentiating ui skins. I was merely asking that since there are many similarities between the phone and pc market why cant the powers that be (carriers) make things that much easier for the customer and promote a unified ui. Common sense, as well as Chris Chavez tells me that will not happen because as of right now carriers believe it easier to move more product with differentiating features ie. moto blur vs. stock. In the end it is my belief that WE as the customers (that means you too if you purchase android)lose over all due to massive fragmentation and developer headaches…
Yes there is the beauty of choice when it comes to android but that choice still does not negate the over all dilemma especially when you have the manufacturers who see the carriers as the true “customers” as Mr. Chavez pointed out. Any way i hope you get some sleep bud the corporate board room is gonna need you bright and early tomorrow lmao!
What a predictable way to start off a comment. Who says I cannot type more than one paragraph? Oh the hypocrisy of telling me to be “easy” and then you type out a big comment…
I just read through your whole comment now, and you just came off as the typical immature internet person who is illiterate and cannot read anything above one paragraph (atleast you didn’t type like you was hitting your keyboard with a chisel). Especially your last sentence. You even used “lmao” for Christ sakes.
You’re missing the point. Companies also cram their own UI into PC’s/Laptops. You’re making it seem like smart phones should just be like PC’s, when you’re forgetting the above I just stated. Believe it or not, people will actually use these UI’s on their PC’s. Hell, I use one myself. The webcam on my laptop (made by HP) is used by HP software, letting me edit the photo, add unique backgrounds, etc. Obviously, this isn’t enough to get someone to buy their laptop, but its a matter of choice. Its what differentiates (do you know what that means, by the way? Are you managing to read this all well?) each of their own from the rest. As I said in my last comment, not everyone is looking for a powerful smartphone. Just like how not everone is looking for a PC that will make their eyes bleed in awe of its power. Think of UI as a software program like windows. Of course, they’re mostly running on Android, but each company adds their own bit into their own phones to make their’s unique. Its the same with PC’s. If PC’s (or laptops) didn’t have their own UI representing their respective companies, then the only difference, as I have already said, would be specs, and the name badge. Also, it increases profits for the companies (and you don’t have to be some company man to understand that) because people make accounts with things like moto blur, and they are being used.
By the way, as I said at the end of my last comment, I typed on the fly and didn’t bother to proof read. I’m a quick typer, and that previous comment of mine took me all of about 5 minutes (is that really too much?) Well, I hope you’ve managed this too big of a comment nicely. I’m not going to lower myself to your immature antics, because I’m being serious. I really do hope this comment hasn’t been too much for you to handle, to the point where it made you want to inject yourself with some horse urine.
Are you trolling me right now??? I mean you seem incredibly defensive for no reason and i have yet to insult you nor am i arguing with you. I am simply stating an observation from my point of view. In turn I’m asking what i perceive to be a logical question which was basically a RHETORICAL one. That’s all; I’m glad to see that you have your own points of view that you are clearly passionate about. :-) Peace! feel free to re read this entire transcript when ever you’d like.
… Its official. You really are illiterate. You haven’t bothered responding to all that I’ve said. Even when I’ve explained how, and why, you’re wrong. You’ve just decided to tell me to re-run through your comments, and then you said “Peace!” – That’s internet slang for “I can’t think of a response to you. I give up. I’ll just say something smart to attempt to annoy you and make myself look right, and then never reply back with a sub-par intelligent answer!”
P.S “I have yet to insult you.”Didn’t you first start the insults? First you insinuated that I was stupid by asking “So who is stupid here?” in your last sentence of your first response (I never even said YOU were stupid in my first comment), and then you said in your next response “get some sleep bud the corporate board room is gonna need you bright and early tomorrow lmao!”
Honestly, not that any of that immature stuff you said actually bugs me or anything, but I’m just saying. Check your own comments first before you try to make someone else look like an idiot. You never know. You may end up looking like you got egg all over your face. And you just did.
Oh, and one last thing. If I may just borrow a quote from your first response made to me…
Quote: “People pay attention to the specs and the additional hardware features which come with those computers… Why cant the same be true for the cell phone market???”
That was your main question to begin with, so let me answer this a little more clearly for you. The average person couldn’t give two clucks about the specs in their PC. As I’ve said, and will say again. A PC is mostly used for internet access. Even people who want to get a PC for a lot of gaming, they will most likely use the internet the most on it. Phones and Laptops/PC’s are not the same thing. Do they both use internet? Yes. Do they both have software? Yes. But are they both used as the same thing? Nope. Smart phones are phones. Portable PC’s (like you said). Laptops/PC’s are used for their internet mostly because they’re always going to be faster than smart phones, and they’re on bigger screens. As I said in an earlier post, Laptop’s/PC are used mostly for the internet. That much is pretty obvious. When a family decides they want to get internet in their home, but they don’t have any hardware, what will they get? A smartphone, for everybody to go on the internet with? Or a PC, for a bigger screen, proper keyboard and mouse, and better speed? This much is too obvious to guess. This was your original question, and it has a simple answer. I just gave you that simple answer.
You could bring into your argument, say, an iPad? Or some Android tablet? But there is still no comparison, as the practicalities are different. A smart phone will always be a phone. A Laptop/PC will always be a Laptop/PC.
My only request (or hope, rather) is that with a greater Google
influence, maybe we’ll see start seeing Motorola keep their promises and
make a new dedication to unlocking bootloaders on their devices (where
carriers permit it). This would allow Android enthusiasts — the ones who
are the most opposed to custom UI’s — to get rid of Motoblur, and flash
clean, stock, AOSP ROMs like CyanogenMod or AOKP. To me, that
would usher in a new golden age of Android, taking things back to the
days of Android development, when ROMs flowed aplenty, and the we were
only limited by “devs” like Drizzy and JAC.
Do Dell and HP need to put custom skins on Windows to differentiate their products?
No, but at the same time, that’s why a lot of PC manufacturers aren’t making any money. HP just laid off 27,000 employees. If Android OEM’s don’t want to suffer the same fate, they need to differentiate their product and they do that with their UI’s..
I like stock ics better than custom skins but the one thing I would like from skimmed manufacturers is faster updatesso I ask make LESS devices like HTC this year so updates can HOPEFULLY come quicker
Since we all know how sad is waiting months for an oficial Android update to our devices (even Nexus S ICS had a too long delay), it would be nice if we could check in for a fast dev release cycle of stock Android in future Motorola Android phones giving the possibility of any one to have Android updates every day, something like the Ubuntu Chrome dev version ;)
Motorola is clearly run by dinosaurs of the likes of Nokia, who are flying motorola straight into the ground. Just the fact that Google talent is going to run the company now should shift things dramatically. If only motorola devices looked like a nexus would be a big step, becuase that square brick design of the Droid is as appealing as a ford pinto.
ITZ
Really?
Laptops are bought for microsoft office. For work.
Cell phones. Communication.
Combine the two, and the answer is not android or apple.