Last week when Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) creamed Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KRX:005930) in the patent trial, it appeared that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KRX:005930) had a lot against them. So what do other Android phone makers think of all of this? Do they side with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KRX:005930) and Android?
HTC Corp (TPE:2498), ZTE, Lenovo Group Limited (HKG:0992), and Sony Corporation (TYO:6758) (NYSE:SNE) all use Android platform on many of their tech products. But this ruling could mean higher licensing fees and sale bans that could affect all Android vendors, including the aforementioned companies. This means that these Android makers are probably looking elsewhere.
Samsung has used many different operating systems for their products, but their partnership with Android was the most successful, especially with phones from the Galaxy S line.
The good news is that Samsung will be releasing a Windows Phone 8 model in the near future. Not only that, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK)’s share have risen after the Samsung ruling, which leaves us wondering if people will ditch Android for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)’sWindows 8.
As we’ve mentioned before, this is not the end for Android. Sony Corporation (TYO:6758) (NYSE:SNE) launched three new models which use the Android software this week at the IFA consumer electronics fair. Huawei launched four new phones and two tablets, all which feature Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich software, at the same fair.
Despite all of this support for Android-based operating systems, smartphone makers are not afraid of looking elsewhere. Canalys research analyst Pete Cunningham explained, “Today, all Android vendors are considering their software options.”
Obviously, things are not looking too good for Android but I don’t think it’s fair to write them off completely. The company will have to make some big changes to their products and software, if they want to stay in the game. However, this move could prove to be a bad one, especially if people lose interest in their products. If people think Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Windows phones are the answer, it’s important to point out that Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Windows will (probably) never lead the smartphone industry the way Android has. If Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) fails to impress consumers with their upcoming sixth generation iPhone, the future of smartphones may be uncertain.
