MICROSOFT TAKES ANOTHER SWIPE AT ANDROID

In the lead up to the launch of Windows Phone 7, Microsoft takes another swipe at Google's Android.  Microsoft is claiming that Android is not as free as Google makes it out to be for handset manufacturers due to patent infringement and possible lawsuits.

Google currently does not charge manufacturers for the use of their Android mobile OS, however Microsoft with it's current Windows Mobile platform as well as the upcoming Windows Phone 7 will charge a licensing fee.  With this licensing from Microsoft it indemnifies the manufacturer from any patent infringement lawsuits.

In an example, Microsoft is citing the current patent infringement lawsuit by Apple against HTC for it's use of the Android OS.  Google has not yet stepped in to legally assist HTC, only offering moral support, however this could change if the lawsuit starts to impact Android adoption. [Ars Technica]