Episode 45: HTC, Google and the Future of Mobile

Acquired is back and live on the scene! After months of
speculation, Google announces today their acquisition (err,
"Cooperation Agreement”) of a large portion of HTC’s hardware
division. What does this mean for the future of mobile? Can
Google transform itself into a vertically integrated device
company and compete directly with Apple? Most importantly, when
will we see more  Beats Android handsets??? (We hope
never) 


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Topics Covered Include: 

The origins of HTC as a Taiwanese OEM, dating back to the
Compaq iPAQ and Palm Treo 650!

HTC’s long history with Google, starting as the manufacturer
of the first Android phone, the HTC Dream / T-Mobile G1

HTC’s ownership of Beats, for a hot minute

Google’s own winding history in hardware, with its Motorola
acquisition in 2011 and divestiture in 2014

Google & HTC’s joint work on the Pixel smartphones in
2016

And much analysis and speculation on what this means for
Google, Apple, Samsung, vertical vs horizontal business models
and more!



  The Carve Out: 


Ben: Odesza’s new album A Moment Apart

David:  Bruce Springsteen on Fresh Air