Google Snagged by Skyhook
September 21, 2010
We are not legal eagles, but the Skyhook matter is interesting.
Our question: Is Google entangled into legal issues because of its size; is it really intimidating others with its power; or is it just too big to manage? This giant Internet entity has been into a few controversies in recent times, and it is now again in the line of fire. “Skyhook Sues Google Over Patents, Interference,” reports the OSNews site, about the hook snagged in Googzilla’s carapace. Skyhook Wireless is a company providing device location determination technology services to mobile manufacturers, something that can ascertain the location of a cell phone within 20 to 30 meters accuracy.
This service is the bone of contention. Google has come up with a similar service integrated with its Android OS. Though both the companies use their own version of technologies; Skyhook relies on cell towers, WiFi access points and GPS, whereas Google does it through Google Maps and Google Latitude. Yet Skyhook claims:
Google violated four of its patents relating to location services.” But there’s more behind the curtain, as Skyhook blames Google of issuing, “a ‘stop-ship’ order for Motorola Android devices using Skyhook’s technologies,” claims the news report. The Motorola Android-based Smartphone were to use Skyhook’s XPS location technology starting April this year, reveals Skyhook, and directly accusing Google of interfering, which led to a loss of “millions of dollars in royalties provided under the Motorola Contract.
How much of this is really true will come into light only as the events unfold? Is Skyhook trying to tighten its grip on Motorola? Litigation is expensive and risky. Perhaps this is a misunderstanding or a a simple case of competition. Google, as always, has cash and is an big target.
Harleena Singh, September 21, 2010
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Google Android: Scrambling to Explain the Future
September 17, 2010
As hard as I try, I can’t escape the mobile search world. When you are my age, looking at tiny screens is work. I like big screens, and I like to control the outputs I see. Not surprisingly, I turn a deaf ear and the goose’s tail to the mewlings of those who explain what US telecommunication companies will or won’t do, what the market for a particular fashion item like a smart phone will be in 2013, or why open source forking will screw up the world of tablets.
These are topics that cannot be tamed in a 300 word column by a “real” journalist or “real” consultant. If these topics could, why are the writers at the race track collecting baskets of cash from their prognostications? The answer is that explaining these three topics is backseat driving by looking in a rear view mirror. Great for Platonists, not so useful to those trying to figure out what is going on in the mobile space.
Let me highlight three examples of fortune telling and offer a different view on the mobile revolution.
The first example is “A Massive War Is Approaching as the Table Market Cannot Sustain Six Platforms.” I agree that six consumer centric operating systems is too many, but on the other hand, maybe it is too few. From the US perspective, the ideal number will be one near monopoly with two thirds of the market and two weak sisters who share another 20 percent of the market. The cats and dogs can fight over the remaining share. Why? This is how the auto industry, the airline industry, and the snack industry works in the US. The problem is that the “winner” in the segments are tough to predict due to the vagaries of management, legal actions, and the whims of the consumer. I don’t think there is a war coming. I think there is a lot of activity and then exogenous events will shape what happens. The problem is that I don’t think the US viewpoint is the one that will carry today. Unthinkable, right? Well, only if you view technology and products from the point of view of a person who looks at mobile in a particularly narrow way. War? Baloney.
The second example is the write up “Entelligence: Will Carriers Destroy the Android Vision?” Once again, the viewpoint strikes me as narrow. The other issue I have is the word “vision.” I am not convinced that Google has an Android vision. I think that Google has entered a new phase in its corporate evolution, but for the life of me, I see many possible visions for Android, not one. The notion of a telecommunications carrier destroying Android strikes me as silly. The “carriers” use what’s available for their advantage. The purpose of US telcos is to return to the pre-Judge Green state of AT&T and absorb the other telcos. If it makes sense for a carrier to use Android, carriers will. If not, carriers won’t. Google had an opportunity to outflank the carriers. Now Google is seeing carriers in a new light. I think there are financial reasons behind this shift at Google, but the carriers are the carriers. Keep in mind the phrase “Bell head.” It is an important concept when thinking about carriers.
The third example is found in the story “Is There Really Any Value to 3-Year Smartphone Forecasts?” I know the answer. The value is to the azure chip consulting firm who gets visibility for making predictions. The purpose of the forecast is to sell consulting and services. The numbers are of secondary importance.
What I see in these three write ups is insight into the turmoil the mobile sector finds itself. The players are not sure themselves about what will happen. Consumers are mostly acting with local knowledge, unaware that their aggregated behavior will have a significant impact on what will happen. The lawyers are flipping over rocks and looking beneath bushes for opportunities to litigate. The companies are trying to make money and consolidate their position to avoid the fate of outright failure or an ignominious acquisitions which puts lots of people out of work.
What I see is rapid change with many of the actions difficult to predict. From some decisions will come unintended consequences. One example I relish is Verizon’s use of the Android operating system but tweaked to use Microsoft Bing.com for the search results. Why take this action? Humans enjoy keeping other humans off balance, on the defense. There are other examples, but none of these is “war”, involve the excitement of the verb “destroy”, or lend themselves to fitting into a azure chip consultant’s Excel spreadsheet. Lots of variables at play in this mobile/mobile search space. It is a big world, not just a US centric world, however.
Stephen E Arnold, September 17, 2010
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Azurini Line Up Behind Other Azurini to Praise Google Android
September 14, 2010
From coast to coast the azurini (non blue chip consulting firms and their experts) are really excited about a Gartner Group prognostication. I won’t mention the demise of certain “magic quadrants” but I will urge you to read “And Android Will Crush Them All… Eventually!.” You can even get a glimpse of the Gartner future think market share projections. You can see the Gartner data at the link above. What’s projected? Nothing less than the triumph of Android over the pathetic pretenders. Who are the also rans, Also Participateds, and the losers? How about Nokia, Research in Motion, Microsoft, and Apple? Did I leave anyone out.
Now the mobile space is an interesting arena. The appeal of a “free”, “open” mobile operating system is undeniable. But there are some potential trip wires across the jogging track.
- Android exists to help the Google. Those using Android are enlisted in the Google militia. Summer soldiers and sunshine patriots often have second thoughts. Regulations and rules can make some in the militia long for sleeping late and leisurely showers. Open source software can fork and then, in turn, fork and fork again. How long will the Google watch Verizon rely on Bing search? Hmmm.
- Those lawyers just keep catching flights to SFO. The reason is that Google has an uncanny ability to collect lawsuits. Now I know that oodles of money can flummox the great US judicial system. But every once in a while there is a deposition, a non Googley judge, and a law suit that won’t go away. Anyone remember Viacom, Germany, and an annoying SEO vendor in the UK?
- Google has had a tough summer. Instead of surfing from big wave to big wave, Google fell off its surf board. I don’t have a comprehensive list but I do recall Buzz, the Frankfort police’s irritation over StreetView and Wi-Fi, and the weird trajectory of Wave. In the meantime, the Xooglers at Facebook pulled ahead of the Google in traffic. Bummer of a summer.
So what?
Google is no longer a slam dunk. Too many variables for me to dial in. The azurini want to have Google do things that help the azurini consulting business. Consumers, on the other hand, respond to different signals. Those pesky consumers.
In short, Android is zooming along but those trip wires. Oh my.
Stephen E Arnold, September 14, 2010
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Mobile Search in China
September 11, 2010
The Middle Kingdom has a track record for doing it the “emperors’ way”. Want to negotiate a tough deal? No problem. Get the traders into a trading city. Offer a deal. If refused, the area in the walled city becomes a hot spot. I find these architectural details from the past interesting.
Now Baidu, China’s top search engine with the largest market share is making all plans to keep up with the recent tech trends, and cash on the boost in the mobile segment. The Yahoo news article “Baidu to Focus mobile Internet Investment on Search” unfolds the company’s strategy to stand on its strength of core search business for the mobile Internet. According to the news, Baidu will “include mobile Internet and ecommerce initiatives in the business-to-consumer space” as it targets to dominate the next big Internet space.
Completing ten years of its existence, Baidu began its preparations last year, to play big in the mobile Internet, with the “introduction of a Baidu text input method and mobile maps.” The news reveals further that, “the company also set up a mobile Internet department.” The first to offer WAP and PDA-based mobile search in China, Baidu is equipping itself to continue to be the search king in China.
Now what about those inside a trading city? Tough spot for some vendors who make big plans just like the traders traversing the Silk Road. Long way from home to try and get frisky.
Stephen E Arnold, September 11, 2010
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Groklaw Oracle Post Highlights a Battle Royal
September 6, 2010
Thump. Thump. Thump. That’s the sound of the legal eagles marshaled for an aerial assault on the Googleplex.
The case of Oracle America vs. Google is not going away and becoming a TruTV reality show preview for the IT industry. First off, Oracle has renamed Sun Microsystems as Oracle America. Now, Oracle America is alleging infringement on their patents by Google. The case is dissected in groklaw.net’s article titled “Oracle America’s Complaint Against Google, As Text.” The text of the Oracle complaint against Google can be found here. The article summarizes that the plaintiff, Sun/Oracle America, is filing suit for patent and copyright infringement of Oracle’s properties, which include Sun’s Java platform. The article says that the language of the complaint is “strong” and “it’s language that indicates Oracle is going for treble damages” and it also means they “likely have something quite fact-based and specific in mind that they think can be pinned on Google.”
Now, that’s an understatement. Google hired away some Oracle Java engineers so you can bet your bottom dollar Google had knowledge of Java. Interestingly, the article also quotes Java creator James Gosling as saying that Oracle’s lawsuit was filed “only after the failure of protracted technology licensing negotiations with Google that began long before Sun sold itself to Oracle…”
The series begins this fall. Live. 3D. Available on a mobile device running Java or a clean room version thereof.
Stephen E Arnold, September 6, 2010
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Google and Its Global Street View Experiences
August 30, 2010
Special to Beyond Search
Technological innovative ideas have transformed our societies and lifestyles for better since time immemorial, also affecting the social norms and values. Such changes, as all changes do by default, go through a period of resistance, before they are finally embraced. The recent Google Street View controversy in Germany is a perfect example, and it has set out people and political parties to philosophize and finally polarize themselves in two opposite camps.
Source for this great illustration: textually.org
The Spiegel.de article “Google Knows More about Us than the KGB, Stasi or Gestapo” delineates the various ideologies of the politicians, institutional leaders, thinkers and commentators of Germany, when Google is just a few weeks away from launching the street views of the 20 German cities on the Internet. The German government, criticized for its slow reaction, now wants to take a cautious approach, rejecting the proposed legislation against Google’s Street View, and instead wants to address geographically based Internet services in general.
Oracle and Google: More on This Dust Up
August 24, 2010
In “Oracle v Google: Why” the author gives an in depth analysis of the reasons for Oracle’s bold legal move against Google and ultimately what is at stake for both parties, the Java platform and more importantly the technology world. The following quote describes the outcome “As for predictions, I’ll make only one: whoever wins will also lose. Because this suit is going to negatively impact – probably substantially – Java adoption.”
The enterprise technology landscape is more fragmented by the day, as it transitions from Dot NET or Java orthodoxy to multi-language heterogeneity. Oracle’s suit will accelerate this process as it introduces for the first time legal uncertainty around the Java platform. Apple and Microsoft will be thrilled by this development, and scores of competitive languages and platforms are likely to see improved traction as a result of Java defections. Though Google is an easy financial target it seems Oracle’s battle with open source has just begun. The immediate issue may seem to be Google, but the real target may be open source and its threat to Oracle’s traditional business model.
April Holmes, August 24, 2010
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ChaCha and KGB: Seeing Eye to Eye
August 23, 2010
Who offers the most trusted search system for the Web and mobile. Is Google still the most trusted “go to” Internet search engine and with the advancement of mobile technology many mobile users can now conduct Google search from their mobile device.
“ChaCha, KGB See Text Messages as Alternative to Search Engines on Cell Phones” the companies ChaCha and KGB offer customers a simpler way to get answers. Users can send a question to ChaCha through a text or voice message and simply wait for a prompt reply from an agent. This is a free service but users should be prepared to receive advertisements from various providers. KGB service guides also can be contacted in a similar fashion except users must pay 99 cents and will not receive outside advertisements. Each is responsible for scouting out the latest information and delivering the most accurate up to date information possible. It’s not likely they are going to overtake Google fans but they could be a helpful addition.
Worth watching.
April Holmes, August 24, 2010
Research in Motion and Aggressive Mobile BlackPad
August 21, 2010
I struggle to locate emails on my BlackBerry. I struggled to buy a working app on the BlackBerry store. I now struggle with a news story that links Research in Motion to Crusher Tank software and luxury car maker BMW. I rented a BMW once, and I gave up trying to get the radio to work and set the air conditioning. I cannot wait to see a table with a combination of BMW technology and Crusher Tank software.
What do you make of “RIM Said to Plan Crusher Tank Technology for Tablet Computer”? As you can see from the photo on the splash page of this blog, even my Microsoft SharePoint engineer, Tess the Boxer, can use the Apple iPad. Will she be able to handle RIM’s forthcoming tablet?
Will the BlackPad have the durability of this Crusher tank? Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_swGyNR8UhGg/SBoduyYjJPI/AAAAAAAAAI8/jBff0KtcnFQ/s1600-h/crusher2.jpg
Here’s the passage from the Bloomberg story which I hope is deadly accurate like the Crusher tank’s armaments:
The yet-to-be-announced tablet will run on software developed by QNX Software Systems, which RIM bought from Harman International Industries Inc. for $200 million in April, said the people, who didn’t want to be named because the plans haven’t been made public. QNX’s software is used in products from companies including Cisco Systems Inc., General Electric Co. and Caterpillar Inc. RIM, based in Waterloo, Ontario, is racing to introduce its tablet as rivals debut similar devices that fill the gap between smartphones and laptops. By using QNX technology, RIM could take advantage of the independent software developers who already create applications for QNX and build on the popularity of its BlackBerry smartphone with corporate customers.
I have no opinion about the issues related to access to BlackBerry email. I would imagine that Crusher tank technology can deal with almost any unpleasantness. If the technology won’t do it, maybe RIM could drive a Crusher tank over the issue, flattening it in no time.
The iDrive control device that baffled this addled goose.
I am more interested in the BMW technology.
My observations:
- The mobile heat is on for RIM from phones to tablets to far off lands which want access to email. I am not sure Apple will relate to the artistic elegance of the Crusher tank. I think the Google Math Club will find the BMW less environmentally pleasing than a Prius but well suited to speeding to meetings with various governmental entities.
- The Apple iPad seems to be a winner, and I wonder if the alleged BlackPad can capture the market segment fascinated by the tablet form factor. Apple is rumored to be readying a Mini Cooper iPad which might rain on the RIM tank parade. A flotilla of Android tablets seems to be making its way across the big blue sea with an ETA in the Fall of 2010.
- The BlackBerry application store is not quite up to Apple’s level and I think it lags the dross-riddled Android app store. BlackBerry has its consumer work cut out for itself. I still find the BlackBerry app I downloaded amusing. It would crash the mobile device. Solitaire is a tough nut to crack or BlackBerry to squish as the case may be.
To sum up, the macho positioning of the Research in Motion BlackPad is interesting. I just want to make phone calls, maybe read a book at the airport, and check some email. Do I need a BMW-infused, smart tank technology for these functions? RIM, if Bloomberg’s story is spot on, seems to hold the belief that I do indeed. (I must admit I secretly admire the Crusher tank.)
Furthermore, the word choice in this Bloomberg BlackBerry BlackPad article strikes me as somewhat ominous. The goose is frightened of the consonantal tintinnabulation.
Stephen E Arnold, August 21, 2010
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Not Net Neutrality. Maybe Haves and Have Nots?
August 18, 2010
The recent “compromise” between search king Google and wireless company Verizon suggests wireless networks should be exempt from treating all content equally. The Telegraph recently outlined the reactions to this plan in an article, “Google ‘Has Made Few Compromises’ on Net Neutrality.” The piece cited one telecom analyst as saying, “Verizon has made real concessions here…Google, on the other hand, has made few compromises, getting most of what it always said it wanted.” But, what, many are asking, does the search mammoth want? Some say they aim to, “create[s] an Internet for the haves and an Internet for the have-nots.” Others agreed the plan would: “divide the information superhighway, creating new private fast lanes for the big players while leaving the little guy stranded on a winding dirt road.” Is Google up to something or is this just an attempt at the necessary flexibility many corporations need? We don’t know, but it’ll be fun to learn.
Pat Roland, August 18, 2010
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