Patent power (part 2) – Google buys Motorola Mobility

Today’s big news is Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility. What is fascinating is the logic for the deal. This is not a deal driven by customers or operating synergies – it is all about Motorola’s patents. The give-away is the final paragraph of Google’s announcement: “We recently explained how companies including Microsoft and Apple are banding …

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Apple and Google go head to head for on-line subscription payments

With exhibitors packing up their stands in Barcelona, this week has seen the launch by Apple and Google of payment services for on-line subscriptions. The two propositions are different, and in this post I’ll unpack the details. Taking them in turn: Apple Subscription Payments in Apps Store Used for the launch of News Corp‘s new online newspaper …

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Microsoft to rescue Nokia?

“There is a pertinent story about a man who was working on an oil platform in the North Sea. He woke up one night from a loud explosion, which suddenly set his entire oil platform on fire. In mere moments, he was surrounded by flames. Through the smoke and heat, he barely made his way …

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Will Apple’s move into NFC mobile payment reshape industry alliances?

My eye was caught today by a story on TechCrunch (an excellent blog BTW) that Apple may incorporate near field communications technology (NFC) into its next generation of devices, thereby enabling ‘real’ payments on the move. For those confused as to the difference between mobile payment for real and virtual goods the easiest way to think about it is to think …

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Do more tablets mean more ‘lean-back’ consumer browsing?

Sadly I’ve not been in Las Vegas at CES, but remained at my desk in London reading the various updates.  As the dust starts to settle it seems that tablets are the story of this year’s show.  Not having had the opportunity to personally play with any shiny new toys, I am not in a …

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