Skyhook - Android Community

How does Google control Android? Skyhook lawsuit reveals the details

By Cory Gunther
on 14 May, 2011

The name Skyhook might not ring any bells for some readers, but they are the ones who are suing and filed lawsuits against Google back in September over the use of Skyhook in the Droid X. The Skyhook XPS WiFi and cell tower positioning system was going to be used in the Droid X and was pulled at the last minute at Google's request. The entire Skyhook lawsuit has been on the low as of late, but new documents reveal just how Google goes about removing things like Skyhook from mobile phones, and how they use specific Google applications and guidelines to control Android.

Google Accused of using Android Compatibility to Close Off Competition

By James DeRuvo
on 9 May, 2011

Google is in a unique spot that only Microsoft can hope to appreciate. This spot entails having an extremely popular operating system and balancing compatibility with numerous manufacturers who operate it. Where Microsoft went wrong is since they worked with so many hardware manufacturers, compatibility and security became epic problems. Where Google may be going wrong is learning from that and seeking to control compatibility to the point of being anti-competitive. That's the theme of a recent lawsuit between Skyhook and Google which gives us an inside look at Google's efforts to keep their OS both open and compatible.

Skyhook suing Google for Patent Infringement

By Dylan Bailey
on 16 Sep, 2010

Skyhook, a company in the business of location based services, is suing Google over patent infringement for their triangulation services as well as forcing handset manufacturers to use Google’s services in favor of Skyhook. The lawsuit was filed in State court and details that Google’s Android platform made it impossible for them to conduct business on the devices, despite the “open” nature of the OS.