Motorola's deal to use Microsoft's Bing search engine across
its Android portfolio has raised howls of opposition from Android
fans.
The tie up is ostensibly aimed at China, where Google is at
loggerheads with Chinese authorities over censorship. However, as
a global deal, Motorola will be able to deploy Bing across all of
Motorola's Android devices.
Motorola says the move is aimed at giving its customers choice. The manufacturer said: 'By enabling users to customize their
devices and select their own Search provider, Motorola, with help
from Microsoft, is expanding the capabilities and range of
services currently offered in the marketplace and opening the
doors for increased personalization.'
Christy Wyatt, corporate vice president of software and services
at Motorola Mobile Devices said: 'The addition of Bing services to
our Android-based smart phones in China is another important step
in empowering our end-users.'
However the move has gone down like a lead balloon with Motorola
customers and Android followers.
One customer on the Motorola Owners' Forum, where comments on the
deal are consistently negative, wrote: 'How is this deal with Bing
going to affect Google taking care of us Moto users. I don't
want Bing!!!'
Android fans, responding to the news on Android Phandroid website,
warned: 'I wouldn't buy an Android phone that did use the Google
services as its defaults. Having Google hardwired into Android is
what makes it so appealing. Without those tie-ins I don't see the
point. Motorola needs to tread lightly down this path because
Android has single handedly saved its cellular business but I
guarantee you that customers in the US will avoid them like the
plague if they try to pull that here.'
Another Android follower said: 'I was shocked when I read the
article. Motorola owes Google for saving their ass and this is
how they've chosen to do business. I'll be sticking to true Google
devices. Heck, I think I'll avoid Motorola just because of this
move on their part.'
Another fumed: 'I switched carrier to get my current with Google
phone and I'd be willing to switch again. My next phone is going
to be with Google. I have learned that that's way more important
than what hardware, which manufacturer, or which network.'
The move follows recent reports that Google's Nexus One phone has
undersold, off-loading just 20,500 handsets in its first
week, according to mobile analysis firm Flurry. The company says
sales so far put it on just one-twelfth of the Motorola Droid's
first week sales, and one-eightieth of those of the iPhone
3GS.