Google: Microsoft is Competing in Mobile by Harassing Customers

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Google is continuing to grow its business even as the global economic recovery appears to be slowing down. Part of Google’s growth and future optimism comes from the success of its Android mobile operating system and new efforts like Google+.

For the third quarter of 2011, Google reported revenues of $9.72 billion which is a 33 percent year-over-year gain. Google’s own sites generated 69 percent of total revenues. Net Income was also on the rise, coming in at $2.73 billion up from $2.17 billion in 2010.

One of the key drivers for Google now and moving forward is its mobile strategy which is anchored by their Android operating system. During the company’s earnings call, Google CEO Larry Page stressed that his company was very excited about Android and the continued growth of the Android partner ecosystem.

Page also addressed the issue of how Microsoft is going after Android vendors. Multiple Android vendors including HTC and Samsung have signed agreements with Microsoft for patent issues related to Android. Both HTC and Samsung also work with Microsoft for Windows Phones.

“Rather than seeing, for example, Microsoft compete in the marketplace with their own smartphones, they’ve really continued resorting to legal measures to hassle their own customers, right? So it seems kind of odd,” Page said. “And we haven’t seen the details of those total agreements, and I suspect that our partners are making good deals for themselves there.”

Page added that Google has seen no signs that the attacks on Android have been successful. Google is also in the process of bolstering it own mobile patent portfolio with the pending acquisition of Motorola. Google announced its intention to acquire Motorola for $12.5 billion in August.

“We’re serious about protecting the Android ecosystem, making sure that it continues to be incredibly successful,” Page said.

Another Google effort that Page is very enthusiastic about is the Google+ social networking services. Page announced that over 40 million users have signed up for Google+ since the service started.

“People are flocking into Google+ at an incredible rate and we’re just getting started,” Page said.

Page added that to date over 3.4 billion photo have been uploaded in Google+ . Even with the early success of Google+, Page noted that there is still more to come.

“Our ultimate ambition is to transform the overall Google experience, making it beautifully simple, almost automagical because we understand what you want and can deliver it instantly. “

Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals.