Google acaba de anunciar que compra la división de móviles de Motorola por 12.500 millones de dólares. Los motivos de la compra se centran en potenciar el desarrollo y adopción de Android como plataforma móvil, de esta forma Google deja clara que una de sus más grandes intenciones a mediano y largo plazo es una incursión fuerte y definitiva en el mercado móvil.
Hasta el momento Google ha tenido poco o nulo control sobre el hardware en que se instala Android, que es una de las ventajas pero también desventajas del software libre para la compañía (no para la comunidad), pues pierden cierto nivel de control. Al adquirir una empresa tan grande como Motorola efectivamente pasan a controlar no solo el desarrollo del sistema operativo, sino de un segmento de los dispositivos donde se instala el sistema operativo.
Aunque Google pasará a competir contra grandes empresas como LG, Samsung, HTC o Sony Ericsson en términos de hardware también serán agentes de innovación en ese campo, empujando a todo el sector a adoptar cambios y mejoras de forma más veloz.
Por otro lado, Android representa apenas el 5% de la capitalización de mercado de Google, mientras que iOS representa alrededor del 80% para Apple. La compra desde términos económicos es simplemente lógica.
A continuación el comunicado de prensa original, en inglés:
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.
Larry Page, CEO de Google explica en sus propias palabras el por qué de la compra.
