Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#1

Post by iamben » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:37 AM UTC

Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion
techcrunch.com

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#2

Post by twidlit » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:42 AM UTC

Wow, not any of the tech blogs saw the smoke before the fire? Could be a hardware + patents play...

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#3

Post by ErrantX » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:45 AM UTC

Only part of Motorola, and not generally the part considered the "original". :)

Motorola mobility was spun off of the main company in January - I think at the time there was commentary on the stock markets that it was done with the aim to get someone to buy it.

So Motorola will exist still - as Motorola Solutions (it is the bigger & more profitable part of the company anyway) and Google get a phone manufacture division under their control.

Interesting move.

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#4

Post by latch » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:45 AM UTC

63% premium...insanity. This is all about patents, isn't it?

Instead of spending $4billion for patents, spend 3x as much, get a huge portfolio (I don't know how large, but it's supposedly quite large)..and a part of a company as well.

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#5

Post by stravid » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:45 AM UTC

MOTOROLA Launch Date: 1928

GOOGLE Launch Date: 7/9/1998

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#6

Post by St-Clock » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:46 AM UTC

Maybe Google did this partly to acquire patents from Motorola mobility (I don't know if they have any, but they must).

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#7

Post by amirmc » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:46 AM UTC

Larry Page via the google blog: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/supercharging-android...

"Motorola’s total commitment to Android in mobile devices is one of many reasons that there is a natural fit between our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers everywhere"

and

"Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies."

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#8

Post by jmvoodoo » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:47 AM UTC

I wonder if Motorola's patent portfolio will be enough to keep the lawyers at bay?

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#9

Post by RexRollman » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:47 AM UTC

You gotta think this is about the patents more than anything. But I could be wrong.

Re: Google Buys Motorola For $12.5 Billion

#10

Post by bergie » Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:49 AM UTC

I wonder how other Android manufacturers will react to this. Maybe it'll boost MeeGo?