Motorola's Sanjay Jha says carriers don't want just stock Android

There may be a sizable segment of the Android user base that doesn't like manufacturer UIs and the adverse effects that they can have on devices and the ecosystem as a whole, but Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha has a more big picture view of manufacturer UIs as a whole.

In an interview with The Verge, Jha made it clear that the reason for manufacturer UIs isn't just so each manufacturer can differentiate from each other, but because without that differentiation carriers wouldn't be as interested in Android hardware. Jha said that there simply isn't a way for manufacturers or carriers can make money without differentiation. He didn't specifically mention competitors, but this certainly makes us wonder if this lack of differentiation is a reason behind the slow uptake with Windows Phone, which is otherwise a very nice mobile OS.

Jha also talked a bit about the strategy for Motorola moving forward, and one big point is one that we're seeing more and more with various companies: focus. Motorola doesn't want to floor the market with Moto devices, but release fewer devices which will allow the company to not only focus more on making each device the best it can be, but to also focus the marketing dollars to each release.

source: TheVerge

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posted on 10 Jan 2012, 19:52 4

1. MalakiMills (Posts: 257; Member since: 15 Jun 2010)

To be honest it makes a little sense. As long as someone offers a stock option/I can root and make it a stock option then I am happy.

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 19:54 3

2. knights4life03 (Posts: 131; Member since: 09 Jun 2011)

actually stock ics 4.0 is awesome but stock 2.2 and 2.3 was.. well still is boring but still fast also, but i cant wait to see wat android skins of 4.0 is gonna be like... interesting

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 08:19

17. JC557 (Posts: 1788; Member since: 07 Dec 2011)

I felt the same way about my OG Droid. When I moved to an HTC phone Sense was a great addition and it was speedy. It provided a nice keyboard and a good copy/ paste option.

Right now for me it's either stock Android 4.0 or Sense 3.5 (lighter resources compared to 2.1 and 3.0) or nothing.

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 20:00

3. biophone (Posts: 1994; Member since: 15 Jun 2011)

Rofl motorola is going to have fewer devices released. But I do love the razr maxx if only other companies had there battery technology.

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 20:01 2

4. jphillips63 (Posts: 244; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)

Moto lost my support when they butchered up the xoom with broken promises and sending me back a damaged xoom after sending in for repairs. I hope you folks go belly up to be honest.

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 20:16 4

5. Jyakotu (Posts: 852; Member since: 12 Dec 2008)

In Android land, this makes sense. With iOS, there is only the iPhone so Apple doesn't really need to overhaul the UI to make it marketable. However, with Windows Phone, many users have expressed options of customization beyond changing colors of the background and the Live Tiles. Most Android hardware is starting to look the same, which is basically a black slab with a large touch screen, with some including physical keyboards. If there is one thing I can say about Android, its that the manufacturer UIs work for the average consumer. Of course tech geeks like us know about rooting and going to stock, but many average consumers don't. Android's openness is a double edged sword in some ways, but it doesn't seem to slow down its growth.

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 20:20 3

6. squeeb (Posts: 99; Member since: 02 Dec 2011)

As long as there's always a way to get a stock experience onto the phone, I guess its whatever...I'm still waiting for ICS for my D3, but I honestly I don't have too much issue with Blur, just the bloatware that can't be removed without rooting first -_-

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 20:38

7. knights4life03 (Posts: 131; Member since: 09 Jun 2011)

so y did u get grab a droid 3 in the first place?

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 02:31 1

13. squeeb (Posts: 99; Member since: 02 Dec 2011)

It was time to upgrade, my OG was way too sluggish. I love the D3, just wish it had ICS already :)

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 22:05

8. networkdood (Posts: 6330; Member since: 31 Mar 2010)

Moto, your customers want stock.....besides what do big businesses know....??

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 22:39

9. downphoenix (Posts: 3165; Member since: 19 Jun 2010)

why differentiate with ui? this really is just confusing to customers. why not do like manufacturers do for wp7 and just have manufacturer exclusive apps and widgets? And not make the phones all look the damn same. I can count on one hand the number of unique designed android handsets.

posted on 10 Jan 2012, 22:50 1

10. ngo2dd (Posts: 896; Member since: 08 Jul 2011)

This true I am sorry but the people who want stock is around 10% or so. Just because they are the most vocal does not mean they are the majority. I have a root EVO 3D and i try stock and i always went back to a sense ROM. Try the naxus S and hated it.

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 05:52

15. ledbetterp3 (Posts: 467; Member since: 31 Aug 2011)

Sorry man, meant to thumb you up...

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 00:07

11. Stuntman (Posts: 836; Member since: 01 Aug 2011)

Comparing my Desire Z with Sense to my friend's Nexus S with stock, I like mine better. His stock UI is missing things available on Sense.

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 00:45

12. TKFox007 (Posts: 303; Member since: 02 Nov 2010)

That makes sense, but the manufactures should include a way to turn off/disable their own UI without having to root and flash roms onto the device.

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 02:56

14. thelegend6657 (unregistered)

True , the only skin that I like is HTC sense

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 07:04

16. remixfa (Posts: 14604; Member since: 19 Dec 2008)

if there were more stock options, i would be happy. i see the need for both. those of us that want the updates n stuff should be allowed to be stock, those that want the added features n looks of the UI should have that. Instead of releasing 20 different phones, release like 3.. but 2 versions of each. a high, mid, n low segment phone, each with a UI and stock option. Let the carriers choose which version they want and be done with it. Then instead of the breakneck speed of phone releases now u can drop 1 set of phones every 6-8 months n call it a day.

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 08:29 1

18. Gothbeard (Posts: 54; Member since: 28 Jun 2010)

As an ex-Motorola customer I will say their strategy fails because:

- Motoblur is an extremely poor UI. If a couple of XDA devs can produce a far better UI experience than the whole of Motorola corporation, you have to wonder why...
- Motorola update their firmware over a year after a new build is released. Too slow.
- Customers make purchase decisions based on hardware: design and specs. Most buyers don't even try the UI before buying so it is irrelevant (unless you are a fan of Sense).

posted on 11 Jan 2012, 12:31

19. bolaG (Posts: 468; Member since: 15 Aug 2011)

I hope they stick with this plan and release only 1 phone every quarter so at the most 4 a year.

posted on 15 Jan 2012, 10:30

20. k1ng617 (Posts: 264; Member since: 13 Oct 2009)

People say that certain things are missing, but the beauty of a stock experience is the ability to customize it exactly how you want it. Most anything you want or need is available in the market, and you won't have to deal with the bloat that is typically included in a manufacturers UI.