Google Sells Motorola to Lenovo for $2.91 Billion: Retains Project Ara, Other Patents

By Vivek

| Updated: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 14:24 [IST]

Looks like Google is pretty much done with Motorola as the Software giant is all set to hand it over to Lenovo at a mere $2.9 billion. According to the China Daily report, the deal would be for the Motorola hardware division plus "more than 10,000 mobile communication patents".

Click Here For The New Gadgets Photos Gallery

Google Sells Motorola to Lenovo for $2.91 Billion: Retains Project Ar

If you look back at the time when Google purchased Motorola, it originally acquired Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion and the software giant only got about 17,000 patents in the deal back then. Thus this small move worth $2.9 billion could be Google's big mistake as well.

Although the duo give birth to two of the best and most desired Android smartphones called Moto X and Moto G for their fans, it seems it didn't turn out to be so great together, especially when it comes to making profits. Unlike Microsoft and Nokia, who have been collaborating on their Windows Phone devices in the form of Lumia series, Google just couldn't make it happen like that, although it had the suitable hardware at its disposal.

And since Android has become one of the most popular platforms to be incorporated in smartphones, the hardware is pushing it further into the depths of the market. However, Google would have never attained the pedestal it has with its Android platform without the help of other hardware manufacturers, and in this case Motorola.

However, there is no need to worry if you have been reading about the project Ara, as Google is not giving that project away with the deal. Reportedly, China based smartphone manufacturer Lenovo said that the deal only includes Motorola's devices division, and not the Advanced Technology and Projects group.

The Advanced Technology and Projects group is comprised of about 100 people and led by former DARPA director Regina Dugan. Which means the group which is directly responsible for Project Ara, security tattoos, and biotech sensors are not being wrapped in this deal. This could be a great news for many who had been following up on any information related to the Project Ara, as it is staying with Google itself.

Google founder, Larry Page has also reportedly said that "Lenovo intends to keep Motorola's distinct brand identity", which right now means a greater focus on near-stock Android software and the Moto Maker customizations.