Google is freeing itself from the shackles of hardware partners and taking matters into its own hands, making a handset known as the 'X Phone' according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. And once that's done, an X Tablet will follow.
The big G is putting Motorola (which it bought for $12.5 billion) to work on the device, rather than trusting other companies like Samsung or LG. Samsung made the Galaxy Nexus, and LG the Nexus 4. The Nexus 4 has suffered stock issues, with Google blaming LG's "scarce and erratic" supplies. LG said the problem was the huge demand. So by taking production in-house, Google should simplify things.
The X Phone is said to be a marquee handset with cutting-edge features, according to the report. It should be out next year. But seeing as hardware isn't Google's speciality, the company has run into some hurdles with supply chain management.
Initially, the X Phone was going to have a flexible screen, according to the Journal's sources, but that's fallen by the wayside. Motorola will also be tasked with producing the X Tablet that follows.
A key focus for the X Phone is improving the camera software. Gesture recognition is also expected to play a big part -- no great surprise, considering Motorola bought Viewdle recently. Lior Ron, who worked on Google Maps, is leading the team on the X Phone.
Dennis Woodside, Motorola's chief executive and former Google bod, didn't give any details in an interview, but said Motorola was "investing in a team and a technology that will do something quite different than the current approaches." He promised "big things" were ahead.
He also pointed out that only 1 billion of the world's 7 billion population use smart phones, saying it was "an incredible opportunity." So the X Phone could be very affordable, much like the Nexus 4.
All of which sounds pretty exciting. Where it leaves Google's relationship with other Android phone makers like Samsung, however, I'm not so sure. Microsoft is taking on all its Windows partners with its Surface tablet, and if this report is correct, Google is doing the same. But it's all competition, and that's got to be healthy. Right?
What do you reckon? What would you like to see from a Google/Motorola X Phone? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook.
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anonymous 22 December, 2012 14:53
Well cook something up so I have viable upgrade options when my SGS2 contract runs out next August
anonymous 22 December, 2012 19:15
Once google bought up Motorola, it was only a matter of time before they entrusted them to build their cutting edge devices.
Personally I was surprised that production of the Nexus 7, 4 & 10 went to third party OEM's, but on reflection it seems Google have been buying time until Motorola's capabilities come up to scratch. In the meantime they've been able to leverage some of Samsung, LG and Asus's best tech to grow the Android market.
Once the next generation of devices is entrusted to Motorola, will Google then shut the door on those third part OEM's ?
in some quarters that's viewed as more than just speculation; as is the suspicion that once the Google Play sales take aa majority steak in the Android marketplace, they'll then close the doors and wall in their ecostructure.
anonymous 22 December, 2012 19:18
p.s. Sorry, my spelling was sh*te there.
anonymous 22 December, 2012 20:01
@anonymous 19:15
That won't be until at least the next five years. In order for the Motorola takeover to go ahead, Google had to agree that Android would be free and available to everyone for the next five years. :-)
JohnsonDion1 22 December, 2012 21:09
Personally I really hope that Google make a phone with Motorola, they used to be the standard when it came to mobile phones a few years ago but they let it slip to Apple. I decided to buy a iPhone because I personally think they are the best phones around but I more than welcome Google not only make a competing phone but also make one for much cheaper than Apple can. I personally think its only a matter of time before Google and Apple become the only hardware and software companies, I even think with time they could "kill" Windows. Plus Google have a monopoly on software, like YouTube for an example something Apple are going to need to catch up on.
anonymous 22 December, 2012 21:43
Hmmm, watch for Samsung rumours as they develop their own operating system. Google will shaft them eventually just like they did with Apple and maps.
anonymous 22 December, 2012 22:43
"anonymous 22 December, 2012 21:43
"... watch for Samsung rumours as they develop their own operating system..."
Check out Tizen. Samsung have a lot of $$$- and with their market share in mobile, TV, computers etc are in a position to push other manufacturers out the door in an integrated ecosystem. Ok, they are light on content but there are one or two providers around without so much hardware clout. Though in a few years Samsung could be lagging behind the likes of Huawei etc
CaptainPicard 22 December, 2012 23:34
I hope all the other OS's take off now more than ever. I like Google, and the consumer will benefit for a while if they release cheap but great phones, but I fear the smart phone market will become a 2 party dictatorship like the PC market, where there hasn't been any innovation in the last 10 years.
anonymous 24 December, 2012 14:15
@CaptainPicard 22 December, 2012 23:34
"I fear the smart phone market will become a 2 party dictatorship like the PC market".
That's already happened. It's Apple and Samsung, the rest are just "bit players' and some of them are falling by the wayside.
anonymous 24 December, 2012 17:12
DONT PANIC, you dont see microsoft not allowing OEMs!! Since Motorola was brought both Samsung and lg have released nexus devices. People who think Google will drop their OEM clearly don't understand their business plan. Why change a situation that is currently delivering Google services to 80% of the world smartphone consumers. Google recognise that its the choice that we consumers like, however I can see them licencing Android to shut the door on the likes of Amazon whos closed ecosystem flies in the face of open source.