The third contestant in the smartphone race, Google, has raised concerns over the threat of limiting customer exposure to its Android platform following Samsung's defeat to Apple in California last week.


Via the BBC:

A US jury ordered Samsung to pay Apple over $1bn (£664m) on Friday after ruling it had infringed several of the iPhone maker's software and design innovations. Apple has indicated it will seek sales bans on eight of the phones at the heart of the lawsuit at a hearing on 20 September. The models include the Galaxy S 4G, Galaxy S2 AT&T model, Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, Galaxy S2 T-Mobile model, Galaxy S2 Epic 4G, Galaxy S Showcase, Droid Charge and Galaxy Prevail.
 Apple could now also try to use the verdict to try to halt sales of other Android-based models it believes infringe its patents.
Samsung predominantly carries Google's Android operating system - the major opponent to Apple's all-conquering iOS, at least until Windows 7 and 8 systems impact the industry. According to recent data from analysts at IDC, Android had a 68.1% of the global smartphone market between April and June. Apple's iOS had 16.9% and Windows Phone/Windows Mobile had 5.4%.


Google's statement read:


"The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims. Most of these don't relate to the core Android operating system, and several are being re-examined by the US Patent Office.

"The mobile industry is moving fast and all players - including newcomers - are building upon ideas that have been around for decades. We continue to work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don't want anything to limit that."