Google and Samsung, you may have noticed, have not always been the best of friends but they have shared a common enemy for some period of time: Apple.
Now, Apple and Samsung have been squabbling over patents for nearly 3 years. Sometimes it looks like they are working towards a settlement but most of the time it really is all-out war with retort after retort. For a breakdown of the history take a look at CNN’s boxing match break down, but to cut a long story short, the ongoing battles have cost both companies billions in legal expenses with little gain for either party.
Google and Samsung have decided to put their differences aside and make peace to aid the innovation and development of the Android software and their platforms. Or to use Dr. Seungho Ahn of Samsung’s words, “there is more to gain from co-operation than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes”.
What the companies have done is essentially set an agreement to stand for 10 years which encompasses cross licensing. This means that they can share existing patents as well as file future patents together, which will allow the two companies to share innovations and move products on quickly. This isn’t just good news for Samsung’s Android-based mobile phones and tablets, but also for products like the Google Chromebook and Samsung TVs which could incorporate some shared Google/Samsung tech. This could make the two companies even more formidable and dominant than they already are, but in terms of the tech being used, it could push the already fast growth of our technology up to an even higher pace.
It also poses the question: Should Apple be worried about this new solid (and official) friendship?