Microsoft siding with Verizon: Google, can you hear us now?

In a not so surprising move (at least if you've been paying attention to the growing acrimony between Microsoft and Google), Microsoft is throwing their support behind Verizon and their new Open Handset Alliance "Any App, Any Device" initiative.

Msmobiles is quoting a statement from Microsoft's Senior Vice President of the Mobile Communications Business Pieter Knook:

"Microsoft is very excited to see Verizon Wireless make such a bold move to satisfy the demands of wireless consumers. As people’s mobile needs become more sophisticated and varied, they will require smarter and more adaptable mobile devices. We are proud to support any open access that puts more power in people’s hands to connect them to the information they want when and where they want it."

Notice Microsoft wasn't issuing statements like this after Google's announcement.

I think the two companies are continuing to see themselves as fierce competitors in a number of areas Microsoft is already in or wants to be in.  I think Google has Microsoft's attention more so than any other company including Apple, RIM, Linux, Sony, just pick one.

And the fact that Microsoft's (among others including Verizon) names were absent on the original list of Google's OHA committee, it doesn't surprise me that Verizon wants to chart their own course and Microsoft is very happy to support and partner with anyone who isn't partnering with Google.

We'll see how this develops and whether AT&T decides they want to get on the bandwagon with Verizon or Google in the future since T-Mobile and Sprint have already sided with Google.

As our own editor noted below, it's too early to tell exactly what "Any Device" means since Verizon has issues with "unlimited" meaning unlimited. But it's a safe bet they are going to run with this as the anticipated first release of an Android phone begins to loom.

Plus, it's a win-win situation for Microsoft. They can afford to support anyone who isn't supporting Google since they don't have to actually do anything. They already have a pretty popular mobile OS on the market in Windows Mobile 6 and the next version is already on the horizon. Whether Verizon succeeds or fails against OHA , Microsoft will still be selling  to handset makers.

Now we just have to wait to see the deets and, if I were Verizon, I'd be getting them out sooner rather than later. The Google Android OS (I still thinks it's a really dumb name) already has enough wind in their sails to carry them across the finish line.

Comments

[GoodThings2Life]

Ha! Indeed, Google Android is a really bad name, especially given the cold, negative stereotypes people associate with androids.

Anyway, I think this is a great move by Verizon. This means I could realistically take my Sprint Mogul phone and move over to Verizon if I so desired (or at the very least, my mother could buy one and use it). She saw the "blue" colored version that Verizon is preparing to release and said, "Why does it have to be blue? I like the dark gray of yours!"

It's also good for Microsoft, since it's such a modular platform. A visit to PPCGeeks.com will quickly reveal that since everyone and their brother is producing custom ROMs to suit their needs. Given the existing number of 3rd party apps for Windows Mobile, there's no limit to their head start, since Apple and Google have yet to actually produce anything usable or even allow 3rd parties to release something usable.

[Contributing Writer, Aaron J. Walker]

Thanks for the comment and observation.

I agree the whole Android thing is still overblown in my mind. The only folks really looking to cash in are the folks who aren't already at the big dance (i.e. market share) or believe Android is the next iPhone.

(With the notable exception of Palm who are just plain dumb.)

Apple is selling a lot of units but they are still well behind RIM (say 1.5 - 2 million to the 20 million Blackberrys) let alone Microsoft and King of the Hill Nokia. Google is (and will be)even further behind when they actually get a handset into the hands of real people.

Verizon going on record with this is a good move. Let's see who else decides to go "open" now as opposed to waiting on Google.