Hard to Foresee All Implications of Google Purchase of Motorola Mobility

It's hard to predict all of the ramifications of Google's purchase of Motorola. It is possible that user experience on Motorola devices will start to have the ease of use people like so much about Apple devices. It might mean a more-standardized experience on most Android devices.

But it might also mean fewer choices of Android devices from other suppliers. Lurking somewhere in the background are potential changes for cable TV operators or Motorola's business with cable TV operators, or both. Google has had a "frenemy" relationship with mobile service providers, for example.

Android arguably has driven smart phone interest and adoption, which in turn drives mobile data revenue.

But Google has had a less friendly, but still complicated relationship, with fixed-line telcos and cable companies, in part because of differing communications policy objectives, and in part because Google already represents a "competitor" of sorts for voice and messaging services, and could emerge as a competitor in video services.

On the other hand, attractive Web services drive broadband adoption, and Google owns several of those key applications most people use.

But Google also risks losing the important set-top business Motorola operates. Cable operators several decades ago decided they didn't want Microsoft gaining control over their set-tops. Cable operators are not likely to appreciate giving control to Google, either. The likely result is a bit of a shift more in Cisco's direction, as Cisco is the other major supplier to the U.S. cable industry.