Several news outlets are reporting that Google has a new “Android Silver” project underway which is designed to give the company more control over the Android mobile platform. Allegedly, the program would offer incentive payments to manufacturers, like Samsung, if they limit the number of non-Google apps installed on their devices and/or make it easy for end users to remove non-Google apps. In addition, Google would provide funds for research and development of new hardware features.
So far, the reports list LG and Motorola as likely participants in the program. They say the Silver program will officially launch next year.