Nokia CEO Stephen Elop warns Android partners that there is “danger ahead” after Google’s Motorola buyout

Nokia’s CEO, Stephen Elop, is all doom and gloom when it comes to Google’s recent takeover of Motorola for $12.5 billion. 

Speaking at a seminar in Helskini, Elop explains:

“If I happened to be someone who was an Android manufacturer or an operator, or anyone with a stake in that environment, I would be picking up my phone and calling certain executives at Google and say ‘I see signs of danger ahead’.”Reuters reports. 

He added:”The very first reaction I had was very clearly the importance of the third ecosystem and the importance of the partnership that we announced on February 11, it is more clear than ever before.”

Ironically, the struggling Nokia would probably benefit from a full Microsoft buyout, but Microsoft seems to be reaping the benefits of a partnership with Nokia without assuming all of the risk. But I digress.

For the record, Google CEO Larry Page claimed on the Official Google Blog that the purchase of Motorola was intended to strengthen its position against the likes of Microsoft and Apple in the patent wars. They also claim that this will not change their commitment to keep the Android platform open source. 

Still, It’s hard to imagine how Motorola won’t get first dibs on Android products. Google bought the company outright – not just the patents. It seems pretty clear that Google sees Apple’s success on the hardware end and wants to get a piece of that for themselves. 

For the moment, Android’s partners aren’t panicing. In fact, Samsung, LG and HTC have expressed support for the deal. However, we can’t help but think that Elop’s concerns are valid. 

Source: Know Your Cell – Cell Phone News, Reviews, Features and More