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Influential mobile blog, Boy Genius Report, is reporting that it could be game over for Google‘s (GOOG) Android operating system sending shares of Google to an all-time year low.
It reports that Apple (AAPL) will be releasing unlocked versions of its iPhone 4 directly to consumers. An unlocked version means there is no contract and any carrier can be used that customers wish. An unlocked iPhone will be sold without a subsidy; this is additional revenue for Apple. If this goes better than expected, then Apple can be expected to release more versions of unlocked iPhones in the future which could significantly eat into Android’s lead.
The models supposedly being released are the 16GB white and black versions, as well as the 32GB versions.
This is on top of last week’s court case where Oracle (ORCL) claims Google violated Oracle’s IP rights by including Java source code in its Android operating system. Oracle is seeking a significant chunk of the ad revenue Google generates in connection with its Android mobile OS, according to a filing made this week (embedded below).
This has the potential to cripple businesses that rely on Android and many are probably re-evaluating their commitment to Android. No company wants to be the next Logitech. Logitech’s shares are down 40% (from $20.00 to $11.93 as of today), since when I first reported it. Logitech had expected to sell $1 billion worth of Google TV devices and the company spent hundreds of millions preparing for it.
Days before the release of Google TV, the company was instructed to stop production. Investors flushed Logitech’s shares down the toilet on the news, on one of the highest volumes in its history, which in turn prompted investment banks to downgrad shares of Logitech which in turn reduces its clout in the marketplace. Logitech went into the adventure thinking it would end up a world leader in digital television not the butt of jokes in the television industry.
No company wants this to happen to them with Google Android.
Google is now seeking friends to support it and there seems to be no-one. “Google as a company is not a particularly partner-friendly or partner-focused company,” said James L. McQuivey, an analyst at Forrester.
Channels: android, Apple, google, logitech
What ???! Android phones (and iPhones) are available unlocked in the UK, and the unlocked variants account for a minor level of sales because they're so expensive. Take away the subsidies and you'll be paying $600 for a 16K iPhone, I reckon. Not too many takers at that price, when you can get a minimal iPhone for $99.
Comment by Ozidug — June 13, 2011 @ 3:27 PM
What Ozidug said. The US is not the world, and its phone market is not the make-or-break of Apple's business strategies. iPhones have been available on any carrier on both prepay and monthly billpay for ages. Sky not yet fallen in.
Comment by @hautepop — June 14, 2011 @ 1:04 AM
[...] Apple will angeblich ab morgen in den USA das iPhone 4 ohne SIM-Lock verkaufen. Somit wären dann in den Apple Stores die Smartphones auch ohne Mobilfunk-Vertrag erhältlich, allerdings sicher mit saftigem Preisaufschlag. bgr.com, webguild.org [...]
Pingback by MxO, Base, Apple. — mobilbranche.de — June 14, 2011 @ 2:43 AM
I think Logitech and Google got a lot of Potential Ahead, regarding Google TV it is one of many in the 2011 Portfolio for both companies
The new Android Version for Google TV will be out this summer and Logitech got more to come in that respect, i expect more like Smart TV Gaming and new Google TV Digital home HUB, remember the 1st version of Android Phone was not a success but noe it is on top
Can't see how Apple could beat Google in Phone and Tablets, Apple expensive devices and The iTunes is challenged with Android store and other services from many companies
Apple never beat Windows
Aso Logitech as they did for PC could do it for Tablets, oh PC is still growing and Logitech China strategy working
Logitech next big thing is Unified Communication/Video Calling and the Acquisition of some companies and services like LifeSuze
Logitech also in 2011 announced a new business Division B2B which take them from just consumer to expanded B2B
Regarding 2011 Google it is about Android Smart-phones, Google TV and Tablets, Chrome Books notebooks, Digital Home and maybe Digital Payment
All that will help Logitech expand it's Business
Comment by @NewPharo — June 18, 2011 @ 7:33 PM
Undoubtedly a exceptionally first-rate post.
Comment by Erasmo Cureton — September 12, 2011 @ 3:12 PM