Google buying Motorola Mobility (the mobile part) for $12.5bn in cash - Polidicks

[quote=Google Blog]Since its launch in November 2007, Android has not only dramatically increased consumer choice but also improved the entire mobile experience for users. Today, more than 150 million Android devices have been activated worldwide—with over 550,000 devices now lit up every day—through a network of about 39 manufacturers and 231 carriers in 123 countries. Given Android’s phenomenal success, we are always looking for new ways to supercharge the Android ecosystem. That is why I am so excited today to announce that we have agreed to acquire Motorola. Motorola has a history of over 80 years of innovation in communications technology and products, and in the development of intellectual property, which have helped drive the remarkable revolution in mobile computing we are all enjoying today. Its many industry milestones include the introduction of the world’s first portable cell phone nearly 30 years ago, and the StarTAC—the smallest and lightest phone on earth at time of launch. In 2007, Motorola was a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance that worked to make Android the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. I have loved my Motorola phones from the StarTAC era up to the current DROIDs. In 2008, Motorola bet big on Android as the sole operating system across all of its smartphone devices. It was a smart bet and we’re thrilled at the success they’ve achieved so far. We believe that their mobile business is on an upward trajectory and poised for explosive growth. Motorola is also a market leader in the home devices and video solutions business. With the transition to Internet Protocol, we are excited to work together with Motorola and the industry to support our partners and cooperate with them to accelerate innovation in this space. 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. This acquisition will not change our commitment to run Android as an open platform. Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. We will run Motorola as a separate business. Many hardware partners have contributed to Android’s success and we look forward to continuing to work with all of them to deliver outstanding user experiences. We recently explained how companies including Microsoft and Apple are banding together in anti-competitive patent attacks on Android. The U.S. Department of Justice had to intervene in the results of one recent patent auction to “protect competition and innovation in the open source software community” and it is currently looking into the results of the Nortel auction. 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. The combination of Google and Motorola will not only supercharge Android, but will also enhance competition and offer consumers accelerating innovation, greater choice, and wonderful user experiences. I am confident that these great experiences will create huge value for shareholders. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers. Posted by Larry Page, CEO[/quote] [url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/supercharging-android-google-to-acquire.html]Source[/url] [quote=PR Release]Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility Combination will Supercharge Android, Enhance Competition, and Offer Wonderful User Experiences MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & LIBERTYVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of about $12.5 billion, a premium of 63% to the closing price of Motorola Mobility shares on Friday, August 12, 2011. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies. "Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers." The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business. Larry Page, CEO of Google, said, "Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers." Sanjay Jha, CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, "This transaction offers significant value for Motorola Mobility's stockholders and provides compelling new opportunities for our employees, customers, and partners around the world. We have shared a productive partnership with Google to advance the Android platform, and now through this combination we will be able to do even more to innovate and deliver outstanding mobility solutions across our mobile devices and home businesses." Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President of Mobile at Google, said, "We expect that this combination will enable us to break new ground for the Android ecosystem. However, our vision for Android is unchanged and Google remains firmly committed to Android as an open platform and a vibrant open source community. We will continue to work with all of our valued Android partners to develop and distribute innovative Android-powered devices." The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and the approval of Motorola Mobility's stockholders. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012.[/quote] [url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/google-acquiring-motorola-mobility/]Source (click "View Press Release")[/url] This changes [b]everything[/b].

Oh shit. This is pretty damn radical. Well, I am really looking towards what they do with new Motorola phones. This should make the integration and support much smoother. Google will be able to comfortably tinker both cellphone and system to work together perfectly, without the inconsistency of separate manufacturer and OS supplier.

It's ironic that this is happening shortly after Microsoft effectively sunk Nokia.

Yeah, the Milestone/Droid is pretty rad. Nice to have it on 2.3.4, heh.

No more motoblur, and constant updates for new Google handsets hopefully! [editline]15th August 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=s0m3_guy;31742083]Yeah, the Milestone/Droid is pretty rad. Nice to have it on 2.3.4, heh.[/QUOTE] Really well designed phones, they look awesome.

No more locked bootloaders?

[QUOTE=BrainDeath;31742520]No more locked bootloaders?[/QUOTE] My Motorola phone is still on 2.1, it was released on 2.1 they never bothered to upgrade it.

Google probably wanted some patents, watch out apple! This can only be good news, google isn't Umbrella yet.

[QUOTE=Sexy Eskimo;31742999]Google probably wanted some patents, watch out apple! This can only be good news, google isn't Umbrella yet.[/QUOTE] Google do no evil.

Hmm sounds pretty good, I guess... only time will tell. [QUOTE=BrainDeath;31742520]No more locked bootloaders?[/QUOTE] I sure hope so.

[QUOTE=Pretiacruento;31743730]Hmm sounds pretty good, I guess... only time will tell. I sure hope so.[/QUOTE] We need a Scumbag Steve of Motorola going "Uses open source OS on phones - locks them down"

So basically the company that created the operating system for my phone now owns the company that made my phone? I like this.

Don't overstimate Motorola's patent portafolio, it isn't that big. [QUOTE=Awesomecaek;31742066]It's ironic that this is happening shortly after Microsoft effectively sunk Nokia.[/QUOTE] We'll see about that. I'd rather have Nokia make phones with Windows Phone 7 than making phones with an OS every fucking manufacturer uses.

But what about Apple.

[quote]We recently explained how companies including Microsoft and Apple are banding together in anti-competitive patent attacks on Android. The U.S. Department of Justice had to intervene in the results of one recent patent auction to “protect competition and innovation in the open source software community” and it is currently looking into the results of the Nortel auction. 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.[/quote] Oh, thats just awesome.

I was about to be sad about not having the right logo on my tablet but then I realized Google is plastered on there too anyways :v:

[QUOTE=JWJ;31745453]I was about to be sad about not having the right logo on my tablet but then I realized Google is plastered on there too anyways :v:[/QUOTE] I would rather stare at Google all day then stare at a damn Apple

[QUOTE=barttool;31744759]Don't overstimate Motorola's patent portafolio, it isn't that big.[/QUOTE] At seventeen thousand patents for Motorola Mobility Holdings alone, yes it is very big. And with Apple only to contest eight (six have failed, the other two are still in limbo), it is very powerful.

holy shit, this is incredible news PLEASE unlock our bootloaders!

[QUOTE=barttool;31744759]We'll see about that. I'd rather have Nokia make phones with Windows Phone 7 than making phones with an OS every fucking manufacturer uses.[/QUOTE] You are right, Android is way too mainstream :rolleyes:

This can only be good.

Maybe Motorola phones won't be shit anymore.

They're paying in cash? Is there even enough US banknotes in circulation to make up $12.5 billion? :v:

what the fuck does $12.5 billion in cash even look like

[QUOTE=Jacam12SUX;31747657]what the fuck does $12.5 billion in cash even look like[/QUOTE]Green paper, I'd assume.

[QUOTE=Stren;31747671]Green paper, I'd assume.[/QUOTE] Oh. Thanks, Captain Obvious!

[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;31747279]Maybe Motorola phones won't be shit anymore.[/QUOTE] Not all of their phones are shit. Their Droid lines are amazing.

[QUOTE=Jacam12SUX;31747715]Oh. Thanks, Captain Obvious![/QUOTE] He answered your question, not his fault you asked a stupid question.

[QUOTE=ExplodingGuy;31745580]At seventeen thousand patents for Motorola Mobility Holdings alone, yes it is very big. And with Apple only to contest eight (six have failed, the other two are still in limbo), it is very powerful.[/QUOTE] Most of those patents aren't in use nowadays.

[QUOTE=Valdor;31748546]He answered your question, not his fault you asked a stupid question.[/QUOTE] assuming i was being serious about it. and i was speaking in terms of size, derp.