They are focused on organizing the worlds information. If hardware can help accomplish this, they will get involved -and have.
They are more interested making infomation acessible on ANY hardware and breaking hardware eco-systems. This is why they have all their attention on browsers and open source development accross platforms and devices.
Hardware isn't going to matter much in the future. You'll be using several more devices to access the internet. Refrigerators, TVs, cars, watches, your coffee table, the mirror in your bedroom, all will have internet access
In line with their goal, they created chromebooks with the intention of getting information on the web to people faster. Chromebooks also have no local storage, meaning your information isn't locked away on a single device and it's accessable anywhere.
Google acquired Motorolla Mobility for over 12 billion and will be finalizing the acquisition by the end of 2011 or early 2012.
The acquisition increases google's staff by 60% and brings the ownership of over 17k patents from the company that practically invented the cell phone. This will help ensure the future of the android platform and give Google a nice defensive arsenal (litigation wise) for themselves and companies adopting the android platform.
Arguably, this move means they ARE getting into the hardware business.
This will allow them to more closely control the android user experience and distribution of mobile devices: phones, tablets etc.
Why doesn't Google seem to want to get into the hardware business?
