How will Google's Motorola deal impact Apple's dominance in the mobile market?

Google, the number one search engine and maker of the Android smartphone operating system, now wants to make its own smartphones. In its biggest acquisition ever, the company is buying Motorola Mobility, the smartphone maker, for $12.5bn.

One reason for the deal is because Motorola has 17,000 patents and thousands more in the pipeline. On this show we discuss the importance of these patents and some other benefits of the deal. Why are tech giants spending billions on patents?

And what does the deal mean for Apple? Android-based devices, which include Motorola's smartphones and tablets - are the major rivals to Apple's iPhone and iPad.

We also take a look at Apple versus Samsung. Apple has taken out several lawsuits trying to stop Samsung rolling out its latest tablet computer. Counting the Cost tests both gadgets on the show to see which one performs better.

And to Switzerland, it is not part of the Eurozone, but is still affected by the continent's financial turmoil. Because uncertainty continues within the Eurozone, investors are looking to safe havens such as the Swiss Franc. The currency is now much stronger as a result, which in turn is hurting Swiss exporters.

This edition of Counting the Cost also includes segments on the financial crisis in Europe (TO EDIT)

Counting the Cost can be seen each week at the following times GMT: Friday: 2230; Saturday: 0930; Sunday: 0330; Monday: 1630.

Source: Al Jazeera