[tokuzumi]

I don't think this would kill WM7. *If* google did this, you would most likely see the other manufacturers (Samsung, Sony, Motorola, LG) move away from Android, and make more phones running WM (Samsung is now pushing BADA).

This could work out for Google, as well. They would only have one hardware mfgr making their phones, which would mean google would not need to support as many hardware profiles. Plus, if they want to go straight for the Apple jugular, they may be able to focus their sites only dealing with one hardware mfgr.

Would it make sense to do this? Maybe/maybe not. With Google's primary goal to drive revenue through advertisements, I think they'd want to display these ads on any and every platform imaginable. Also, I don't know if HTC is wanting to be purchased. They seem to be doing just fine on their own.