Amazon have set off on their own path with their Kindle tablets and no doubt smartphones later this year and next, leaving Google to catch up and launch their own hardware. Problem is one of the manufacturing partners Samsung has been making decent hardware under the Samsung Galaxy banner for several years and has established itself as a market leader with its Galaxy S and Note range.

Samsung, like amazon is pouring resources into developing its app stores, thereby negating the need for Google Play. If you ask the average consumer on the street, Samsung will probably be more widely recognised than android. So, the burning question is does Samsung need Google?

At the moment yes, but with Samsung having its hands in many pies, I doubt it will in the future, say in 3 years time.

Do you have any different ideas?