Google Acquires HTC’s Pixel Team for $1.1 Billion

[Megalith]

Google and HTC have announced a definitive agreement under which certain HTC employees – many of whom are already working with Google to develop Pixel smartphones – will join Google. HTC will receive US$1.1 billion in cash from Google as part of the transaction. Separately, Google will receive a non-exclusive license for HTC intellectual property.

For Google, this agreement further reinforces its commitment to smartphones and overall investment in its emerging hardware business. In addition to the talented and experienced team of professionals, Google will continue to have access to HTC's IP to support the Pixel smartphone family. Additionally, this agreement also represents a significant investment by Google in Taiwan as a key innovation and technology hub.

 

[TrailRunner]

Because it worked so well for Motorola…

 

[Glyphic]

Not sure how this is the same as Motorola. If I am understanding this correctly, google is just buying the employees in the department that develops the Pixel. So HTC is not actually selling off any part of their business really.

 

[spugm1r3]

It's basically buying HTC out of any claim to the Pixel series, while simultaneously giving Google a potentially wider portfolio for the emerging Fi service. Finally, HTC gets some cash flow to satisfy investors and we don't have to witness the cannibalization of some really promising VR development. This is win-win-win for Google, HTC, and consumers, alike.

 

[raz-0]

Not sure how this is the same as Motorola. If I am understanding this correctly, google is just buying the employees in the department that develops the Pixel. So HTC is not actually selling off any part of their business really.

They get around being sued for non-compete agreements for talent they want, and they get non-exclusive license to a bunch of HTC IP. So it's like the cliff's notes version of the motorolla situation skipping the purchase and sale of the brand.

 

[gxp500]

Oh great, bezels will live another day, should of let the company die already.

 

[sboucher]

I wonder if they only took the women...

 

[odditory]

Because it worked so well for Motorola…

Because this is totally exactly the same situation..? No.

Pixel is the best phone I've ever owned. Google finally doubling down on their own branded phones and absorbing an OEM rather than just random companies making the Google phones every year - great news.

The skilled HTC engineers under proper new management are going to shine.

 

[sboucher]

Because it worked so well for Motorola…

In the end, actually it did. Because Google still has the only part of that deal they gave a fuck about. Patents.