Exclusive: Guess who else wanted to buy Motorola? — Tech News and Analysis [GigaOM]

Perhaps the MMI bidding is not yet over, if this rumor is accurate

Our sources say that Motorola was in acquisition talks with several parties, including Microsoft for quite some time. Microsoft was interested in acquiring Motorola’s patent portfolio that would have allowed it to torpedo Android even further. The possibility of that deal brought Google to the negotiation table, resulting in the blockbuster sale.

Motorola found a Google deal more digestible because Microsoft had no interest in running a hardware business and was essentially interested in Motorola’s vast collection of patents.

Exclusive: Guess who else wanted to buy Motorola? — Tech News and Analysis