Big news from the Googleplex this morning, as the news broke that Google is to acquire Motorola’s handset business for $12.5 billion. This is HUGE news, as now Google will finally become a smartphone vendor.
Announced via the Official Google Blog, CEO Larry Page describes the company’s success with Android, with 550,000 device activations per day and over 150 million activations worldwide. In their quest to "supercharge the Android ecosystem," they have decided that Motorola are the best handset manufacturer to help them do that.
And in no surprise, Page also makes reference to Motorola’s extensive patent portfolio, something which could yet prove useful to them in the ongoing patent situations that keep presenting themselves — in the U.S. in particular.
Andy Rubin also spoke out, pointing out that they still remain committed to Android as an open platform and that they will continue to work with all current partners.
Check out the official release after the break.
Sources: Google Blog; Investor Relations
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