Google's Schmidt says favouring Motorola would be disaster

Google Inc. Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said Monday the Internet giant won't favor Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. after the search giant acquires the mobile phone maker because of potentially negative fallout for its Android operating system.

In comments made during a televised interview on CNBC, Schmidt said Google risked alienating other device makers that use Google's popular Android software if it favored Motorola's gadgets.

"If we somehow pissed them off, lost them, what have you, it would be a disaster," Schmidt said."That would screw up the entire ecosystem."

Last month, Google announced plans to buy Motorola for $12.5 billion. The move comes as Google seeks to expand its patent portfolio with Motorola's existing intellectual property.

The Mountain View, Calif., company also seeks to better integrate its software with compatible hardware. Android, which is used by a number of phone makers in addition to Motorola, has rapidly gained in popularity since it was unveiled in 2007.

According to data published Monday by Nielsen Mobile Insights, 56% of those who acquired a smartphone in recent months opted for an Android-based device. Google shares closed up 1.2% at $531.89.

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