In a move which is sure to shake up the Android world that we live in, Google has announced that they will purchase Motorola Mobility. Google has agreed to pay $40 per share for the company which brings the total acquisition cost to $12.5 billion. The purchase agreement has been approved by the boards of both companies and the transaction should be complete by early 2012. This news isn’t directly related to HTC, but it will certainly affect their business in the coming months and years.
“Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies,” said Google Chief Executive Larry Page in a press release.
The Motorola Mobility acquisition by Google should be incredible news for those who have been longing for more stock Android phones. We’re pretty sure that Google first order of business will be to trash MotoBLUR on any upcoming Android handsets. However, this bold move by Google is sure to upset most members of the Open Handset Alliance since they are now a competitor to Samsung, HTC, LG, SONY Ericsson, and anyone else who chooses to produce an Android phone or tablet.
Do you think Google’s plan to buy Motorola Mobility will help the Android ecosystem or will manufacturers flock to other platforms in order to diversify their product portfolios? We’re not sure how Google’s move will affect HTC, but we know that they always find a way to adapt when the mobile environment shifts.
Update: It looks like HTC and other members of the Open Handset Alliance think the Motorola deal is a good thing for Android. Motorola does hold quite a few patents which could help Google defend those who use Android from any issues they may face.
“We welcome the news of today‘s acquisition, which demonstrates that Google is deeply committed to defending Android, its partners, and the entire ecosystem.” – Peter Chou CEO, HTC CORP.
Source: WSJ
