OEMs, Please Choose

I recently did a mobile trends presentation and this is one of the graphics I had created

OEMs, please choose? Which side do you play on?

Device Patent Wars

Came across this graphic in the NY Times showing the recent device patent wars:

Note, I modified the image and added that Android logo next to HTC :) Also note, that this image doesn’t show all the lawsuits that have been settled (eg Kodak has settled with Motorola). This image also doesn’t show the platform guys, specifically Microsoft and Google.

In any case, looking forward to seeing how this will play out. You have to assume that Google had indemnified HTC for any Android related claim – if you don’t know what I’m talking about, see here. I haven’t looked at any of the patents in question but I imagine a number of them are tied to the Android UX (and maybe the WinMo UX as well). Will Google retaliate by slowing the upgrade cycle of some of their critical apps on iPhone. It’s happening already with Google Maps on Android feeling a generation ahead than the version on iPhone. Obviously, big dollars are at play with rumors of Apple making $100M a year from Google search.

Thoughts?

Top 6 Reasons Why Nokia Doesn’t Have a Capacitive Touch Screen

Disclaimer: I have a lot of friends at Nokia; this is meant to be friendly and I do look forward to your awesome phones this year!

6. Double-tap for zoom is great but come on guys, we’re still working on integrating login across Ovi. Pinch and zoom, that’s complex software!

5. We are focused on the variants between N90 and N900. N1000?! That means we have to change our manufacturing process, errr!

4. Apple-spat! Patents on multi-touch? Ha, we’re saving pennies aka margin on every device, you wait and see!

3. As any prudent company, it’s our fidicuary responsibility to provide a stylus to all of our enterprise customers.

2. If you were smart, you’d see that in the recent handset reports that we dominate in emerging countries. We don’t need capacitive to differentiate! We’re GOD in Africa and India!

1. You do understand we live in Finland. This is not the Bay Area, gloves don’t work with capacitive!

Looking forward to seeing that capacitive Nokia :)