Skip to main content

Google CEO says Microsoft can ‘hassle’ partners with patent threats, but won’t stop Android

Larry Page
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google reported record third quarter earnings yesterday, but CEO Larry Page wasn’t all happy. When asked about Microsoft, he did not hold back, saying that the company is bullying manufacturing partners into paying it and has introduced a sort of “Android tax” on hardware makers. 

“Rather than seeing Microsoft compete in the marketplace with their own phones, they continue resorting to legal measures to hassle their own customers,” said Page, according to Electronista. “We haven’t seen the details of those agreements and I assume our partners are making good deals for themselves. We see Android growing gangbusters and we don’t see anything that will stop that.”

Microsoft could be taking in as much as $400 million in Android licensing fees. The software maker has signed deals with HTC and Samsung, collecting an estimated $5 – $10 for every Android handset those manufacturers sell. Manufacturers are possibly agreeing to the deals because they do not believe they can face Microsoft in court. Either that or Microsoft is offering other incentives. We do not know.

Commenting on other companies suing Android manufacturers, like Apple and Oracle, Page said Google is “serious” about protecting Android, but didn’t specify how: “We see our partners and our ecosystem growing hugely. Ultimately other companies actions will alienate their customers,” Page asserted. “We’re serious about protecting the Android ecosystem.”

Eventually, Google is going to have to do less talking and more walking if it’s really serious about protecting Android. 

Jeffrey Van Camp
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…
The Galaxy S24 just got a big camera update. Here’s what’s new
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in Titanium Orange and in Titanium Silver.

Samsung Galaxy S24 owners just received some great news. Samsung recently released an April software update that addresses various camera issues. Unfortunately, this update is only available in South Korea, but according to information posted on the Samsung Korea forum, it is expected to be released in other regions soon.

Firmware version S928NKSU1AXCA is almost 800MB in size. It includes improvements for lowlight images and image colors in Samsung's Expert RAW app, improved text clarity when zooming in photo mode, and support for 480 x 480 resolution when recording Instant Slow-Mo videos. The Galaxy S24 update for April builds on the improvements from the previous February release, which included enhanced zoom, portrait mode, night mode, and rear camera video capture capabilities.

Read more
Apple just announced the dates for WWDC 2024
WWDC 2024 banner.

Apple has just announced the dates for its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024. WWDC will take place from June 10 through June 14, 2024. A special event will be held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on June 10, and we expect to see the reveal of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2.

WWDC will be free for all developers online. Developers will be able to access a variety of online sessions and labs that will showcase the latest advancements in software across all of Apple’s hardware.

Read more
Does the Moto G Stylus have NFC?
Moto G Stylus 5G 2023 leaning

The Motorola Moto G Stylus is a line of midrange Android smartphones, each of which comes packing a stylus — as the name ,akes clear. The two latest models are the Moto G Stylus (2023) and the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). Although these models are similar, they have some noticeable differences, including their support for near-field communication (NFC) technology. This article will examine which Moto G Stylus models come with NFC and which do not.
What is NFC?

Near-field communication (NFC) is a technology that lets two gadgets communicate with each other when they are within a few centimeters of each other. It is useful for touch payments, e-tickets, data sharing, and effortlessly linking devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Read more