Google-Motorola deal has lit up yet another question which relates to Google’s re-entry in the healthcare market. This deal has surely proved that the search engine giant is in the race for mobile device market’s full-blown hardware competitor.
Google’s earlier attempt at the healthcare world, Google Health was more or less a disaster as it lacked consumer interest. It is a golden opportunity for Google to get things right this time with Motorola’s healthcare clients. These clients already have used of products such as MC75A0-HC and MC55A0-HC. These products are basically handheld devices which have been specifically worked on by Motorola for doctor’s use, while nurses and other employees working in this sector can even make use of it.
Motorola’s stand in the healthcare world was confirmed by ABI Research which is a technology research firm, last week. The firm noted that Motorola was third among the leading Wi-Fi infrastructure vendors who have their focus in the healthcare sector. It was even said that there are a number of benefits Motorola will enjoy expanding its existing network base. Again the rise in the preference of Wi-Fi, all over the world. Especially U.S. will be of great help to Motorola. The firm even estimated that by 2016, the Wi-Fi access point hardware market along with the services and software would jump up to $1.3 billion.
There is every possibility for Google to get a back-door entry in the healthcare world via Motorola. The option looks active as there are many opportunities which are ringing in the healthcare sector. Along with it, the call for Internet connections which are secure and robust combined with those mobile devices which can help exchange, update and access of data are in demand. Another requirement here is for providing remote patient monitoring, which would make the task for Google really simple to get back in the healthcare world.
Principal analyst of ABI Research, Jonathan Collins told InformationWeek Healthcare that professionally as well as for home care and remote locations in the healthcare sector, the search is on for the adoption of new technology which can be combined with the benefits of connectivity and mobility. He continued saying that the combo of Motorola with Google looks to be perfect for the requirements in this sector as there is access to two key gateway devices which are mobile handsets and home set top boxes. These would help in the emergence of wearable sensors generation. There is an added advantage to the combo as one can make an integration of integrate wearable wireless sensor monitoring along with other applications which relate to it. Again, Android would help driving connectivity and application support. Collins has been covering M2M and wireless healthcare.
For the current year, ABI Research has made an estimation that there would be a growth in the professional healthcare Wi-Fi networks devices which may be in the form of any handheld computing device, especially smartphones. The percentage is expected to rise to 20%. Collins predicted that Google would jump its base back to the healthcare sector soon as it is well placed to be in anytime.
Senior research analyst of IDC, Irene Berlinsky who has been covering multiplay services even said that the proposed deal between Motorola and Google has the potential for healthcare revival for Google. However she concluded saying that Apple with the iPad is a road block for Google as Apple has worked hard to penetrate the heathcare sector and would not let it all move its share out of its warehouse.