Motorola Deal Means Google Controls Digital Pipeline

[Commentary] On the surface, one might think Google/Motorola wants to emulate Apple's success in the SmartPhone area. Not only do you create the great software, but you design the product too, like the iPhone.

That went from nothing to become Apple's cash cow. It's a very lucrative business that will do nothing but grow. Now Google can make the phones and the software, too. Smart strategy. There's a lot of money there. But that's not where the really BIG money is. The real money is in controlling the digital pipeline to smartphones and home TVs. These are the current "dumb pipes" that the CellCos and ISPs deliver. With the acquisition of Motorola, Google has access to the set-top hardware technology to make those dumb pipes a lot smarter. And make Google a lot richer.