Is Google-Samsung becoming the new Microsoft-Intel?

[Commentary] Are we seeing the emergence of a grand alliance between Google and Samsung for Android mobile devices, similar to the Microsoft-Intel alliance for Windows personal computers? It looks like that from recent events.

Re/code reports that Samsung has backed down under pressure from Google on the way it varies the Android interface on its devices. It will downplay or possibly drop its new Magazine UX interface and give more weight to Google’s own apps. It appears that Google is asserting greater control over the Android operating system and the apps loaded on to devices while reducing its own hardware ambitions. In other words, it is conceding Samsung’s dominance over hardware in return for Samsung promoting its software. The two will work together to reinforce the strength of Android software and hardware against competitors including Apple.