Google knew it had to respond to Apple, Microsoft, RIM, and their partners winning a $4.5 billion bid on Nortell’s patents. Respond they did with a $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility and its 14,600 patents. Google likely did not want to get into the hardware business, but the risks to Android were too great. If Google did not buy Motorola, they would:

• have overpaid and spent billions on InterDigital’s patents.
• have been one court case away from HTC legally being blocked from selling Android phones in America.
• risk Microsoft or Apple buying Motorola and losing a major Android manufacture.
• continue to have Android embattled in lawsuits from Apple, Microsoft, Oracle, and others without a solid patent portfolio.

So what is next for Google and Motorola?  The assumption is HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony, and other manufactures will be forced to focus on other mobile operating systems. However, there isn’t a mobile operating system available today with an established app market other than Android and Apple’s iOS. Sales for Samsung and HTC’s Windows Mobile based phones has been lackluster partially due to the lack of apps. Developers already have to create an Apple and Android version of their app. They will have to be significantly motivated in order for them to create a third and fourth version of the same app.

Here are some predictions for a combined Google and Motorola:

• Google will keep Motorola as a separate division.
• HTC, Samsung, Sony, and other manufacturers will continue to focus on Android based phones for the next year.
• Manufacturers will try to diversify to Windows Mobile and possibly webOS, but the lack of apps will hamper sales.
• Nokia based Window phones will also have lackluster sales.
• Motorola Blur will go away.
• Manufactures will put more focus on differentiating themselves by modifying their Android skin such as HTC Sense or Samsung’s TouchWiz.

Due to popular demand, we created some smaller connection diagrams on our home page. The new smaller diagrams are:

• Home Theater Connection Diagram
• Home Network Connection Diagram
• Home Automation Connection Diagram
• Front Projector Connection Diagram
• Bedroom Connection Diagram

The ultimate connection diagram still shows how to connect all the above systems into one, but the smaller ones are designed to be easier to read. The smaller connection diagrams also show typical connections for popular home theater network components.

Feel free to ask any questions in our HTN Connections and Setup Forum.

Thank you everyone for all the interest in AutoHTN. We’re pleased to announce that we are opening up the private beta release of AutoHTN to the public. The Vera edition of AutoHTN is now available in the Android market. AutoHTN can control a Vera home system’s lights, sensors, scenes, switched power, thermostat, and window blinds. AutoHTN can also be used as a remote for Boxee or XBMC media software as well as web enabled receivers.

The initial beta version of AutoHTN is free and works with Mi Casa Verde’s Vera controller. Future support for other home automation controllers is planned, but for now, we found Vera to be the most user-friendly. Vera is relatively inexpensive, works with common home automation protocols such as Z-wave, provides free and secure remote server access, and is easy to setup.

AutoHTN setup is easy as AutoHTN pulls all the device information from Vera. For example, if Vera is on the local network and Wi-Fi is on, then no setup is required as AutoHTN will automatically find Vera on the local network and pull all the device information from it. A username and password is all the setup information needed for access away from home.

AutoHTN has been in private beta for the past couple months and our users have found it very useful. We know you’ll find it useful too as we’re now opening it up to public for free as a beta version. More information on AutoHTN can be found at HomeTheaterNetwork.com. Please let us know what you think including any suggestions, comments, or questions. We’ll be checking our AutoHTN forum and the Vera Forum.

Enjoy!

Our ultimate connection diagram was translated to Spanish by Tecnomania. Take a look here:

http://www.tecnomania.mx/2010/07/como-conectar-tu-casa-con-un-ht.html

Enjoying the new FaceTime feature on your iPhone? You might not be soon when you realize how much bandwidth it uses. Tiered plans are going to force us to limit how we use our smartphones. I just checked my data usage, and I have downloaded over 1 GB of data in the last two weeks. Granted, my increased usage is due to steaming World Cup video along with  the new Android Sirius app, but why should I be forced to watch my data usage? As a customer, I enjoy the freedom in using my smartphone anyway I like.

AT&T started the unfortunate trend of service providers forcing tiered plans. AT&T’s new tiered plan offer 200MB per month for $15 and 2GB for $25. Verizon is rumored to be next. AT&T’s argument is that their new data plans offer choices for customers. I would buy that argument if they offered cheaper plans along with the unlimited data plan. However, AT&T took the unlimited option away from customers. If AT&T wanted to give users more Options, then why did they take away the unlimited option?

The timing for tiered plans is also odd with new 4G networks already in use. Sprint had its 4G network available and Verizon’s LTE network will be available at the end of the year. The new 4G networks offer up to 12 mbps data rates, which are faster than my cable modem. Offering faster speeds finally allows quality video streaming, but video eats up data. Restricting data usage while at the same time offering faster data rates is simply a ploy for service providers to make more money.

Innovation will also suffer as customers watch their wallets and how much they downloaded. Hulu just announced an app for iPhone and  iPad. The increased costs of the tiered data plans will stop people from using Hulu along with other steaming intensive apps. Slingbox, FaceTime, Skype, MobiTV, Ustream, Qik, YouTube, and audio steaming apps such as Pandora and Sirius will see less usage.

As tiered plans take over, expect your browsing and steaming freedoms to go away. Expect to start asking if you really want to use this app because you’re close to your data cap. Here’s hoping Sprint, T-mobile, and other service providers don’t follow AT&T’s path.

I know Netflix gets all the praise on the internet, but I have to give Blockbuster some credit too. This week, Blockbuster is sending me the blu-ray version of Green Zone and She’s Out of My League. When I was a Netflix subscriber, I never got a blu-ray movie the day it came out. In fact, I would be happy if I got a movie within a month of it coming out.

Blockbuster regularly ships me blu-ray movies the day they come out. Last week, I got Alice and Wonderland the day  it came out along with Shutter Island. Meanwhile, Netflix subscribers are still waiting the mandatory month Netflix agreed with the movie studios. On top of that, they will likely wait weeks until the movies are available while paying extra for blu-rays too.

I do miss the internet streaming Netflix provides, but I  rather watch movies I want to see. Also, there are enough shows and movies on my DVR along with Hulu to keep me busy for weeks. Internet steaming will take over one day, but that day is not now. Right now, I want blu-ray movies the day they come out, and only Blockbuster provides that.

Taking a look at our 25 ways to use a HTPC, we counted at least 10 ways Google TV could be used as an HTPC. However, use as a DVD, Blu-ray or HD DVD player is probably a no-go. File management wasn’t mentioned at the demo so it’s unclear if we could store all of our music, pictures, or data on a Google TV equipped box. Attaching cameras and other portable electronics is also probably not going to happen anytime soon as Android drivers would have to be developed.

Google TV is going to excel with internet video streaming and its apps. YouTube, Netflix, Amazon and hopefully Hulu are easy-to-use with Google’s search bar. Home automation apps (AutoHTN included!) will be developed and will make controlling your home user-friendly. New games could also give the Wii a run for its money.