Motorola Mobility, the smartphone manufacturer that now belongs to Google, has purchased Viewdle, a Ukrainian company that produces face-, object-, and gesture-recognition software that will be incorporated into Android smartphones as well as Google’s web-based Picasa photo storage system. The value of the deal is reportedly between $30 million and $45 million. Also, Motorola has introduced the Razr i device in Brazil. The smartphone is the first Android device with an Intel processor to be marketed in that country.

Tarifica’s Take

We have been following Google’s forays into the smartphone universe, and this week’s developments underscore the message we have been sending all along: Mobile providers and Apple, watch out! Google is a quiet juggernaut bestriding the mobile telecom industry. Without much fanfare, this company has been making smart acquisitions, expanding, and spreading its innovative devices around the world. We strongly suggest that operators cooperate with Google, which could turn out to be just the “antacid” they need to eradicate their constant Apple heartburn. It may not be obvious at the moment due to all the marketing hype surrounding the latest iPhone launch, but we believe Google may end up out-Appling Apple.