Google today announced that it has closed its US$12.5 billion Motorola acquisition. The move comes after China approved the deal only days ago. As rumoured, Sanjhay Jha has stepped down as CEO with Googler Dennis Woodside taking over the role. In announcing the news, Google CEO Larry Page wrote:
Motorola is a great American tech company that has driven the mobile revolution, with a track record of over 80 years of innovation, including the creation of the first cell phone. We all remember Motorola’s StarTAC, which at the time seemed tiny and showed the real potential of these devices. And as a company who made a big, early bet on Android, Motorola has become an incredibly valuable partner to Google.
Motorola’s new CEO, Dennis Woodside, added:
“Our aim is simple: to focus Motorola Mobility’s remarkable talent on fewer, bigger bets, and create wonderful devices that are used by people around the world.”
It remains to be seen what ultimately happens to Motorola. Google has indicated that it will run it as a separate business. There have been rumours of layoffs and even a sale of many of its assets to Huawei. One thing is clear, Google is today 17,000 patents richer.
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