Is the Sino-Google Inc (GOOG) Cold War Heating Up?

During the third quarter of 2012, Android powered 90% of all smartphones on the mainland, compared to the iPhone’s 4.2% share, according to Chinese research firm Analysis International.

Though the Ministry did not prescribe what should be done about Google’s Android domination, China watchers see this as a possible harbinger of more hoops that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) will have to jump through to do business on the mainland.

Reuters quotes Duncan Clark, chairman of technology consultants BDA, as saying, “In China, regulators regulate regularly especially where they position the regulations as helping out domestic companies.”

If so, Android’s success may cause Google’s first real challenge to its global smartphone OS dominance.

The article Is the Sino-Google Cold War Heating Up? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Radovsky has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Google.

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