Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Mobile
    • Networking

    Google Now Owns Motorola Mobility: 10 Things It Should Do With It

    Written by

    Don Reisinger
    Published May 22, 2012
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Now that Google has officially paid its $12.5 billion to take over Motorola Mobility the fun starts for the search giant. It can focus its efforts on improving Motorola Mobility, seeing once and for all what it€™s now taking over and hopefully find ways to unlock value that the company€™s former management just couldn€™t.

      Moreover, Google can set out to justify to its shareholders why paying so much cash for a mobile firm really makes so much sense. It will be a challenge that should reveal how smart Google€™s top executives are as investors and managers.

      However, as Google considers its plans for Motorola Mobility, the company must be careful. Leaving the mobile firm alone is, of course, not a good idea, but trying to do too much is also a mistake. At this point, Google must make decisions with scalpel-like precision to ensure that its shareholders don€™t end up questioning its acquisition. Five years from now, Google should endeavor to have its shareholders look back at the acquisition and say that it dramatically improved both Google and the mobile marketplace it€™s competing in.

      Read on to find out what sort of things the search company should do with Motorola Mobility to unlock its value and justify its high price.

      1. Deliver tablets

      Although Motorola was one of the first Android vendors to deliver a tablet with its Xoom slate, the company hasn€™t made a mark in that space. The time has come for Google to help Motorola make that mark and deliver tablets. To not do so would be a mistake.

      2. Distance itself to appeal to vendors

      One of the biggest concerns regulators had with the acquisition is the possibility of Motorola and Google getting too close and hurting other Android vendors. The smart move for Google would be to maintain just the right amount of management distance between the companies and show that it€™s not giving Motorola any preferential treatment.

      3. Remember patents

      One of the main reasons Google acquired Motorola was to have access to its patent portfolio. With those patents, Google can do a much better job of protecting itself against Oracle, Apple and others and maybe even help its Android partners better defend themselves. It€™s a big opportunity for Google.

      4. Think about Motorola€™s software prowess

      Although Motorola was using Android in its handsets, the company was able to modify the operating system with its own software skins. Google should keep that in mind and do its best to take advantage of Motorola€™s software expertise. Who knows what its developers could come up with?

      Google Should Streamline Motorolas Mobile Product Line

      5. Get Motorola to focus on innovative Chromebooks
      Google last year unveiled Chromebooks, but since then, the company has all but ignored the new form factor. Unfortunately, its vendor partners have ignored it, as well. Maybe Motorola can be the company to focus on Chromebooks and resurrect the devices. With one successful launch, Chromebooks could be back on the map.

      6. Poach the best talent

      One of the nice things about buying a company is having the option to pick through its best talent and bring those folks on board at the parent company. Although Motorola hasn€™t been doing so well, the company has some high-quality talent. Google should find those folks and bring them back to the mothership.

      7. Simplify Motorola€™s device lineup

      Motorola has been making poor decisions over the last several years by delivering far more devices than necessary. With Google€™s help, the company can now reduce the number of products it sells and focus on the products that have the best chance of being a hit with customers. The fewer, more innovative devices it releases, the better.

      8. Layoffs are a double-edged sword

      According to TechCrunch, Google is planning to lay off many of Motorola€™s employees after it has a chance to find out where the company can reduce staff. Although layoffs are often used to reduce costs, Google should think twice about them at the moment. The search company really doesn€™t know just yet what it has taken over. It€™s best to find out before jumping for layoffs.

      9. Bring back Motorola€™s innovation

      Over the years, Motorola has been an innovator in electronics and communications. However, over the last several years, the company has fallen short in market-changing innovation. It€™s about time Google uses its cash and Motorola€™s own investment budgets to bring back significant innovation at the company. Without such innovation, Motorola will never be able to justify the high price Google paid for it.

      10. Take the fight to Microsoft

      Finally, it€™s worth pointing out that Motorola and Microsoft are currently locked in a bitter patent dispute over the H.264 industry standard. Motorola would like to see Microsoft€™s Xbox 360 and even Windows 7 banned from sale. Although Google could take the high road here and try to move past the lawsuit, it really shouldn€™t. Now is Google€™s chance to go head-to-head with Microsoft. Why not take the chance?

      Follow Don Reisinger on Twitter by clicking here

      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger is a longtime content writer to several technology and business publications. Over his career, Don has written about everything from geek-friendly gadgetry to issues of privacy and data security. He became an eWEEK writer in 2009 producing slide shows focusing on the top news stories of the day. When he's not writing, Don is typically found fixing computers or playing an old-school video game.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.