Are We Entering a New Phase of Mobile Ecosystem Disruption?

It's hard to say just how much the future U.S. smart phone, connected device and broadband access markets could change in the near future. What seems increasingly likely is that startling changes could occur over the medium term.

Google's purchase of Motorola could set into motion a redefinition of much of the smart phone market into islands of integrated hardware and software, with more major suppliers opting for the Apple model, instead of the open model Microsoft and Google have tended to follow up to this point.

There also could be changes in the coupling of devices and networks. Apple has filed patents that suggest it will have the ability to create "multi-carrier" and "mutli-network devices bought at full price and then activated for service with any number of service providers.

The concept is detailed in a new patent application published this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled "Method and Apparatus for Using a Wireless Communication Device with Multiple Service Providers," says AppleInside. iPhone carrier ranking patent

Apple could help users find the carrier that is best for them by ranking the features and prices of service providers based on personal preferences. For example, some users may be interested primarily in voice plans, while others may need features like unlimited text messaging.

And though it remains unlikely for many good reasons, some observers say both Google and Apple could become mobile service providers themselves. http://www.mondaynote.com/2011/08/14/steve-please-buy-us-a-carrier/