Motorola’s forthcoming smartphones may come equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) applications developed by Perplexity and Microsoft, according to information disclosed during an antitrust trial involving Google. This revelation emerged from the testimony of a Google executive, shedding light on the competitive pressures faced by the tech giant as it navigates allegations of monopolistic practices in the online search market.
Motorola Set to Integrate Multiple AI Applications in Razr 60 Series
Bloomberg reports that Peter Fitzgerald, Google’s Vice President for Global Partnerships, Platforms & Devices, stated during court proceedings that Motorola’s upcoming devices will include AI applications from both Perplexity and Microsoft. Fitzgerald also noted that Samsung is exploring partnerships with various AI companies to enhance its product offerings.
This statement was made in the context of the U.S. Justice Department’s ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google, initiated in January 2023. The case charges the search engine leader with sustaining an illegal monopoly in the online search arena, a situation further complicated by financial arrangements with Apple to favor Google’s search engine on its devices.
The Justice Department has requested Judge Amit Mehta to determine an effective resolution aimed at dismantling Google’s alleged monopoly in online search. Furthermore, the case encompasses discussions pertaining to Google’s AI initiatives, particularly its Gemini product.
Fitzgerald’s comments sought to clarify that Google does not impose restrictions on device manufacturers regarding the installation of alternative voice assistants or generative AI applications. The tech giant has provided the court with documentation affirming that such limitations are absent from its agreements with hardware producers.
This indicates that the new Motorola Razr 60 series and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro could come pre-installed with a variety of AI applications. A report from last week suggested that Perplexity has reached an agreement with Motorola for the integration of its AI-driven virtual assistant in future devices. However, it remains uncertain whether Motorola will designate any of these applications as the default AI assistant.
