Google's buyout of Motorola is now believed to have been prompted by the threat of a Microsoft deal. New sources hinted that Microsoft had been talking to Motorola for "quite some time" and was interested in at least buying Motorola's patents, which would have likely forced Android into a perilous situation, GigaOM heard. Google had started talks five weeks earlier at the highest levels and was kept secret until late even to Google's Senior VP for mobile, Android creator Andy Rubin.
