Sanjay Jha steps down and Google's Dennis Woodside takes over as CEO of Motorola Mobility.
>> We’ve Acquired Motorola Mobility
Larry Page (CEO)
Google | Official Blog
May 22, 2012
googleblog.blogspot.com
The phones in our pockets have become supercomputers that are changing the way we live. It’s now possible to do things we used to think were magic, or only possible on Star Trek--like get directions right from where we are standing; watch a video on YouTube; or take a picture and share the moment instantly with friends.
It’s why I’m excited to announce today that our Motorola Mobility deal has closed. 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.
Sanjay Jha, who was responsible for building the company and placing that big bet on Android, has stepped down as CEO. I would like to thank him for his efforts and am tremendously pleased that he will be working to ensure a smooth transition as long-time Googler Dennis Woodside takes over as CEO of Motorola Mobility.
I’ve known Dennis for nearly a decade, and he’s been phenomenal at building teams and delivering on some of Google’s biggest bets. One of his first jobs at Google was to put on his backpack and build our businesses across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia. More recently he helped increase our revenue in the U.S. from $10.8 billion to $17.5 billion in under three years as President of the Americas region. Dennis has always been a committed partner to our customers and I know he will be an outstanding leader of Motorola. As an Ironman triathlete, he’s got plenty of energy for the journey ahead--and he’s already off to great start with some very strong new hires for the Motorola team.
It’s a well known fact that people tend to overestimate the impact technology will have in the short term, but underestimate its significance in the longer term. Many users coming online today may never use a desktop machine, and the impact of that transition will be profound--as will the ability to just tap and pay with your phone. That’s why it’s a great time to be in the mobile business, and why I’m confident Dennis and the team at Motorola will be creating the next generation of mobile devices that will improve lives for years to come. ###
>> Google closes Motorola Mobility purchase: A daunting to-do list ahead
Larry Dignan
ZDNet
May 22, 2012
tinyurl.com
Summary: Google’s goal is to take Motorola Mobility and create a bevy of new mobile experiences. But first there’s a lot of integration work ahead.
Google has finally closed its acquisition of Motorola Mobility, installed Dennis Woodside as CEO, thanked former CEO Sanjay Jha for his service and outlined a goal to create “the next generation of mobile devices that will improve lives.”
In other words, the fun is just beginning. Google CEO Larry Page outlined the closing of the deal and how the search giant is aiming to reach people in emerging markets who view the phone as their desktop. Page said [linked above]:
"It’s a well-known fact that people tend to overestimate the impact technology will have in the short term, but underestimate its significance in the longer term. Many users coming online today may never use a desktop machine, and the impact of that transition will be profound–as will the ability to just tap and pay with your phone. That’s why it’s a great time to be in the mobile business, and why I’m confident Dennis and the team at Motorola will be creating the next generation of mobile devices that will improve lives for years to come."
That overarching goal sounds wonderful, but before Google’s Motorola Mobility acquisition even comes close to changing our mobile lives, there’s some heavy lifting ahead. Here’s the to-do list:
That overarching goal sounds wonderful, but before Google’s Motorola Mobility acquisition even comes close to changing our mobile lives, there’s some heavy lifting ahead. Here’s the to-do list:
– Pick margins or manufacturing. Google will inherit more than 19,000 Motorola Mobility workers and manufacturing operations. Analysts have been saying for months that Motorola Mobility will hurt margins. Toss in Google’s obvious Android device conflict with partners and it’s not a stretch to see the search giant exiting the manufacturing game. Layoffs are quite possible.
– Build that firewall—sort of. Google has said Motorola Mobility won’t have favored device nation status, but it’s hard to believe. How could Motorola Mobility not get the latest Android? With its own hardware, Google can push the experience it wants.
– Work partners. Now that Google owns Motorola Mobility it will have to reach out to HTC, Samsung and other key Android partners. Google still needs the Android army.
– Bet on the living room. Google’s Motorola Mobility acquisition actually puts the search giant in front of the living room due to its acquired set-top box market share. Let’s face it: Google had no shot of getting there on its own.
– Software integration chores. Motorola Mobility also had a bevy of projects going on. I surfaced Motorola Mobility’s vision of next-gen TV—search free by the way. And how will that Webtop look.
– Fix Chromebook. Motorola’s Webtop and smartphone/laptop connection could be Google’s future Chromebook.
– Utilize Motorola Mobility’s enterprise heritage. Motorola Mobility has a lot of corporate IT intellectual property. These assets could bolster the security of Android in the enterprise as well as add up to Google Apps/Chromebook synergies.
– Sue rivals. It’s clear that Google bought Motorola Mobility largely for the patent treasure trove. Now it has a patent arsenal to countersue. Android may be protected on the intellectual property front. Google will strike back when warranted. ###
- Eric - |
