Acquired Episode 45: HTC, Google and the Future of Mobile
5 snips
Sep 21, 2017 The hosts dive into Google's acquisition of HTC, discussing its potential to reshape the mobile landscape. They explore HTC's legacy, from its origins to its pivotal role in Android's development. The conversation expands to Google's hardware strategy, comparing it with Apple's competitive advantages. Insights into the challenges of voice technology and the evolving mobile market dynamics are revealed. Listeners get a blend of tech analysis and personal music tastes as the hosts reflect on their favorite tracks, creating a vibrant connection between technology and culture.
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HTC as Android Pioneer
- HTC was the original manufacturer of the first Android smartphone, the HTC Dream / T-Mobile G1 in 2008.
- HTC has a long history of pioneering early smartphone technologies and partnerships with Google.
Google's Motorola Patent Strategy
- Google's 2011 Motorola acquisition aimed primarily to secure patents and protect Android from litigation.
- That hardware effort failed financially, with Motorola sold in 2014 for a loss despite retaining core IP.
Targeted HTC Engineering Acquisition
- Google's new HTC deal is a more modest, targeted move to acquire about half of HTC's hardware engineering team.
- It includes a non-exclusive license to HTC's intellectual property, unlike previous acquisitions.