subject: Microsoft At War With Motorola Over Droid Phones [print this page] Last month Microsoft sued Motorola over alleged patent infringement. Microsoft claims that the Android Smartphones are using Microsoft technology. Microsoft filed a lawsuit against Motorola in a federal court in Seattle, and also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission.
Microsoft at War with Motorola over Droid Phones
Microsoft is protesting to save their new Windows phone. The Redmond, Washington software giant makes its own Windows-based cell phones, and is feeling the competition that the new Google Smartphones are creating. The new Windows Mobile software, touted as being the best portable office editor, is out on the streets, hoping to take back some of the market share from iPhones and Google Android phones.
Horacio Gutierrez, Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, defended Microsofts action, saying the company merely seeks to ensure respect for our intellectual property rights infringed by Android devices. Judging by the recent actions by Apple and Oracle, we are not alone in this respect, he said.
Microsofts lawsuit against Motorola is an attempt to manipulate the market through the courts. While Google is not part of the suit, according to Samia Sehgal, The Money times, Google is disappointed in Microsofts actions. Google said it will stand behind the Android platform and the partners who have helped us to develop it.
We are disappointed that Microsoft prefers to compete over old patents rather than new products, said Aaron Zamost, a Google spokesman. Sweeping software patent claims like these threaten innovation.
Motorola will not take this lying down. While they havent commented too much on the lawsuit, according to Samia Sehgal, the cell-phone giant plans to vigorously defend itself. Motorola has a leading intellectual property portfolio, one of the strongest in the industry, the company said in an e-mail.
Our office is predominantly a Droid office. We love the Droid apps and the flexibility the Droid provides. I particularly love being able to get my email through GMail, as well as go online to browse and search when needed. Google Voice is another favorite of mine. I love having a separate phone number to give to people, and Google Voice separates the calls from those coming to my regular cell number, and even emails me a transcription of the voice mail. I have the Droid X and use the 8 megapixel camera frequently. The big screen makes it a great place to display photos.
Is the new Windows Mobile software better than the Android OS? Do you have a preference? Are you a Droid user or a Windows buff? Or perhaps you are still a die-hard BlackBerry user? Give us some feedback. Where do our readers stand on the Smartphone choices?
We will be monitoring the Microsoft vs. Motorola war and keep you posted. Let us know any juicy tidbits you discover.
