Motorola’s forthcoming smartphones may be equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) applications from Perplexity and Microsoft right from the outset. This revelation came from a Google executive during his testimony in the ongoing antitrust trial in the United States. The trial centers on allegations that the tech giant from Mountain View is involved in anti-competitive practices within the online search market. Importantly, the case also examines the implications of Google’s AI products, including Gemini. Meanwhile, Motorola is slated to host an event on April 24, where the Motorola Razr 60 series and the Edge 60 Pro are expected to be unveiled.
Motorola To Integrate AI Applications in Upcoming Razr 60 Series
According to a report by Bloomberg, Peter Fitzgerald, Google’s Vice President for Global Partnerships, Platforms & Devices, indicated during his Tuesday testimony that Motorola’s latest devices will incorporate AI applications from both Perplexity and Microsoft. Fitzgerald also mentioned that Samsung is currently in discussions with various AI companies in a bid to integrate their applications into its devices.
This statement was made in the context of the US Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Google, which was initiated in January 2023. The lawsuit alleges that Google has engaged in practices that unlawfully monopolize the online search domain. A significant aspect of the case involves Google’s financial agreement with Apple, which has positioned its search engine as the default choice on iPhones.
The Justice Department is reportedly urging Judge Amit Mehta to take steps to dismantle this perceived monopoly in online search. Investigations into Google’s AI offerings, such as Gemini, also play a crucial role in the overall case.
The executive’s comments aimed to clarify that there are no restrictions preventing device manufacturers from pre-installing alternative voice assistants or generative AI applications. Google has shared correspondence with the court to support this claim, emphasizing the absence of restrictive clauses in its contracts with manufacturers.
This development suggests that the imminent Motorola Razr 60 series and Edge 60 Pro could come with several pre-installed AI applications. A recent report noted that Perplexity has finalized an agreement with Motorola to include its AI-powered virtual assistant on the smartphone maker’s devices. However, it remains uncertain whether Motorola will have the ability to designate any of these applications as the default AI assistant.
