Φαίνεται ότι το 2011 είναι η χρονιά των μεγάλων αλλαγών στο στερέωμα των smartphones και του mobile computing γενικότερα, αφού βλέπουμε παραδοσιακές δυνάμεις να υποχωρούν (βλ. RIM) ή να κλείνουν συμφωνίες για να επιβιώσουν-ορθοποδήσουν μπροστά στη λαίλαπα των Google, Apple και Microsoft.
Έτσι, μετά την ιστορική συμφωνία μεταξύ Nokia και Microsoft στις αρχές του έτους, η Google μας ξάφνιασε όλους απότομα με την εξαγορά του 63% της Motorola Mobility έναντι του ποσού των $12.5 δισεκατομμυρίων, αποδεικνύοντας ότι το μέλλον της δεν θα περιοριστεί μόνο σε υπηρεσίες και software, αλλά θα εισέλθει δυναμικά και στην κατασκευή δικών της συσκευών.
Είναι από τις ελάχιστες φορές που δεν υπήρχε καμία διαρροή ή ένδειξη για μια τέτοια κίνηση, αν και μετά τη δημοσιοποίηση της συμφωνίας και από τις δύο πλευρές βγήκαν στη φόρα αρκετές ιστορίες που ήθελαν τη Motorola να βρίσκεται κοντά σε αντίστοιχη συμφωνία με τη Microsoft για την προώθηση του λειτουργικού συστήματος Windows Phone.
Σχετικά με τη συμφωνία, αξίζει να αναφέρουμε ότι η πλευρά της Google παραδέχτηκε ότι στόχος ήταν να προλάβουν τη Microsoft και να πάρουν στα χέρια τους τις περίπου 17000 πατέντες που είναι κατοχυρωμένες για λογαριασμό της Motorola, ενισχύοντας έτσι την πλατφόρμα Android, που η αλήθεια είναι ότι αντιμετώπισε αρκετά νομικά προβλήματα στο παρελθόν.
Σύμφωνα με τη λεγόμενα του CEO της Google, Larry Page, η πλατφόρμα Android θα παραμείνει ανοικτή (open source) για όλους, ενώ παρά την εξαγορά η Motorola θα συνεχίσει να υφίσταται σαν εταιρία, χωρίς να τις δοθούν έξτρα προνόμια σε σχέση με τους άλλους μεγάλους κατασκευαστές συσκευών Android. Για αυτό το λόγο, άλλωστε, τα μεγάλα "κεφάλια" των Samsung, LG, HTC και Sony Ericsson υποδέχτηκαν με ικανοποίηση την εξαγορά της Motorola.
Τί σημαίνει αυτό για τον καταναλωτή; Από πολλά έως τίποτα. Το μόνο σίγουρο είναι ότι ενισχύεται σημαντικά το οικοσύστημα της Google και για πρώτη φορά φαίνεται ότι παραδέχεται πως ο μόνος τρόπος να ξεπεράσει την Apple είναι να δημιουργήσει το δικό της αντίστοιχο πακέτο λογισμικού/hardware, που φυσικά θα λειτουργεί στο 100% σε συγκεκριμένη συσκευή-ναυαρχίδα (όπως είναι το iPhone) και όχι σε κάθε Android συσκευή από διάφορους κατασκευαστές, άσχετα εάν τα χαρακτηριστικά της μπορεί να είναι εξαιρετικά.
Επομένως, δεν θα είναι έκπληξη αν δούμε σύντομα ένα εξαιρετικά ισχυρό και άρτια δομημένο Android smartphone, με λειτουργικό σύστημα ειδικά κατασκευασμένο για αυτό (γιατί όχι το Android Ice Cream Sandwich), που θα δόσει ουσιαστικό κίνητρο στους developers να φτιάξουν εφαρμογές για το Android Market, αλλά και στους κατασκευαστές hardware να δημιουργήσουν βελτιστοποιημένα "εξαρτήματα" για μία και μόνο συσκευή. Βέβαια, κάτι τέτοιο θα αφήσει απ' έξω τους υπόλοιπους κατασκευαστές, οι οποίοι με τη σειρά τους θα μπορούσαν να στραφούν προς τη Microsoft και το Windows Phone.
Για να μη σας κουράζουμε άλλο, είναι ακόμα πολύ νωρίς για να δούμε τα αποτελέσματα αυτής της συμφωνίας και όταν το θέμα αφορά τη Google, κανείς δεν μπορεί να είναι σίγουρος για το έχουν στο μυαλό τους οι ιθύνοντες της. Πάντως, σε περίπτωση που δεν αποδόσει η συνεργασία, η Google θα υποχρεωθεί να καταβάλει στη Motorola ακόμα $2.5 δισ.
Google to Acquire Motorola's Mobility
Combination Will Supercharge Android, Enhance Competition and User Experiences Wonderful OfferMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA and Libertyville, IL - AUGUST 15, 2011 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) Announced Today 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's Mobility shares on Friday, August 12, 2011. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of BOTH companies.
The acquisition of Motorola's Mobility, dedicated to Android partners, 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 as a separate Motorola Mobility 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 Entire That supercharge the Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming to our family of Motorolans Googlers. "
Sanjay Jha, Motorola's CEO of Mobility, said, "This transaction offers significant value for stockholders and Motorola's Mobility 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 this combination will enable us That to break new ground for the Android ecosystem. However, our vision for Android is firmly committed Remains Unchanged and Google to Android as an open platform and a vibrant open source community. We will continue to work with all of our valued partners to Android Develop and distribute innovative Android-powered devices. "
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, receipt of regulatory approvals Including the in the U.S., the European Union and other jurisdictions, and the approval of Motorola's Mobility stockholders. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012.
Webcast InformationWarehouse Mobility and Motorola will hold a conference call with financial analysts to discuss this announcement today at 8:30 pm ET. The toll-free dial-in number for the call is 877-616-4476 (conference ID: 92149124). The call will be webcast live at Also The webcast version of the conference call will be available through the examination Following the conference call link.
About Google Inc.Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program Provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while Enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is Headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
About Motorola MobilityMotorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. fuses innovative technology with human insights Experiences That created to simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices as smart phones and tablets Such, wireless accessories, end-to-end video and data delivery, and management solutions, Including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com / mobility.
For Google:Investors:
ir-core@google.comAverage:
press@google.com
For Motorola:Investors:
Dean Lindroth
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.
+1 (847) 523-2858
dean.lindroth @ motorola.comMedia:
Jennifer Erickson
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.
+1 (847) 772-1217
jennifer.erickson @ motorola.com
Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes forward-looking statements Within The Meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements can be Identified by Generally Such phrases as Google, Motorola Either or management company of "Believes," "Expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "Estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein describe That the Proposed Transaction, Including ITS financial impact, and other statements of management's Beliefs, intentions or goals are forward-looking statements Also. It is uncertain Whether Any of the events Anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if Any Of Them Do, They will have what impact on the results of operations and financial condition of the combined companies or the price of Google or Motorola stock. These forward-looking statements Certain risks and uncertainties devolves That Could cause actual results to materially Differ from Those in the Indicated Such forward-looking statements, Including but not limited to the ability of the parties to consummate the Proposed Transaction and the satisfaction of the conditions Precedent to consummation of the Proposed Transaction, Including the ability to secure regulatory approvals at all or in a Timely Manner; the ability of Google to successfully integrated Motorola's operations, product lines and technology, the ability of Google to Implement ITS plans, forecasts and other expectations with RESPECT to Motorola's business after the completion of the transaction and Realize additional opportunities for growth and innovation, and the other risks and important factors contained and Identified in Google's and Motorola's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"
, Such as Their Respect Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Any of Which Could cause actual results to Differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Neither Google nor Motorola undertakes obligation to update the Any forward-looking statements to reflect, Subsequent events or circumstances.
Additional Information and Where to Find ItMotorola intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement in connection with the Proposed Transaction with Google. The definitive proxy statement will be sent to the stockholders of Given or Motorola and Will Contain Important Information about the Proposed Transaction and related matters. SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT Becomes Carefully AVAILABLE. The proxy statement and other relavant materials (When They Become available), and Any Other documents filed with the SEC by Motorola, May Be Obtained free of charge at the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. In Addition, security holders will be Able to Obtain free copies of the proxy statement from Motorola by contacting Investor Relations by mail at Attn: Investor Relations, 600 North U.S. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048.
Participants in the SolicitationMotorola directors and executive officers and Its May Be deemed to be Participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the Motorola to proposed transaction. Information about Motorola's directors and executive officers is September Forth In Its proxy statement for the ITS 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which effectively was filed with the SEC on March 15, 2011, and Its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on February 18, 2011. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and by email at Attention: Investor Relations, 600 North U.S. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048, or by going to Motorola's Investor Relations page on corporate website at ITS at http://investors.motorola.com. Additional Information Regarding the Interests of Participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction will be included in the proxy statement That Motorola intends to file with the SEC.
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