網(wǎng)絡(luò)搜索巨頭谷歌周一(8月15日)宣布,已簽署最終協(xié)議,將以125億美元左右收購手機(jī)廠商摩托羅拉移動(Motorola Mobility)。這是迄今為止谷歌在進(jìn)軍移動領(lǐng)域方面所采取的最為大膽和激進(jìn)的行動。
谷歌(美國加州山景城)表示,將以每股40美元現(xiàn)金收購摩托羅拉移動,相比摩托羅拉移動股份的8月12日收盤價24.47美元溢價63%。受上述消息影響,摩托羅拉移動的股票價格在午后初段飆升56%。
摩托羅拉移動是安卓開放手機(jī)聯(lián)盟的成員。谷歌表示,上述收購將使谷歌能夠“增強(qiáng)”安卓生態(tài)系統(tǒng),并加強(qiáng)移動計算領(lǐng)域的競爭。谷歌表示,摩托羅拉將繼續(xù)獲得Android的授權(quán),Android將維持開放。谷歌還表示,摩托羅拉移動將作為獨立業(yè)務(wù)繼續(xù)運(yùn)營。
“摩托羅拉移動全面支持安卓系統(tǒng),為雙方創(chuàng)造了合作良機(jī),”谷歌的共同創(chuàng)始人兼首席執(zhí)行官佩奇在聲明中表示,“雙方合并之后,將創(chuàng)造驚人的用戶體驗,增強(qiáng)整個安卓生態(tài)系統(tǒng),從而為消費者、合作伙伴和開發(fā)者創(chuàng)造新的機(jī)會。我熱烈歡迎摩托羅拉員工加入谷歌大家庭?!?
佩奇在博客中表示,這次收購將增強(qiáng)谷歌的專利組合,使其能夠更好地使安卓免受“微軟、蘋果和其它公司的反競爭威脅?!迸迤嬷赋觯④浐吞O果上月牽頭一些公司組建了一個聯(lián)盟,將以45億美元聯(lián)手從北電網(wǎng)絡(luò)手中收購多項專利。谷歌聲稱,此舉屬于反競爭行為,企圖扼殺安卓操作系統(tǒng)。據(jù)市場調(diào)研公司Canalys Ltd.,安卓系統(tǒng)目前是智能手機(jī)的主流操作系統(tǒng),第二季度被48%的智能手機(jī)所采用。
谷歌最初以9億美元競購北電網(wǎng)絡(luò)的專利。一些分析師曾表示,谷歌急需專利。據(jù)報道,針對安卓和安卓設(shè)備生產(chǎn)商的專利訴訟已超過45個。
摩托羅拉移動目前在全球持有24500項得到批準(zhǔn)和正在申請中的專利。其中包括其Mobile Devices 部門持有的14600項得到批準(zhǔn)的專利,以及6700項待批準(zhǔn)的專利,這些專利涉及包括4G和近場通信等關(guān)鍵的行業(yè)無線標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。這些專利可以幫助谷歌在與其它移動設(shè)備開發(fā)商的知識產(chǎn)權(quán)之爭中捍衛(wèi)自己的利益。
“從知識產(chǎn)權(quán)角度來看,這次收購可以增強(qiáng)谷歌與蘋果談判時的地位。蘋果正在對基于安卓的產(chǎn)品發(fā)動進(jìn)攻,比如在歐洲對三星采取的行動,”市場調(diào)研公司IHS iSuppli的無線通信首席分析師Francis Sideco表示,“谷歌起碼將能夠聲稱摩托羅拉的3GPP和3GPP2手機(jī)規(guī)格知識產(chǎn)權(quán)屬于自己,iPhone和iPad都使用了這些規(guī)格。”
蘋果指控三星侵犯其專利權(quán),聲稱三星的Galaxy媒體平板和智能手機(jī)抄襲了蘋果產(chǎn)品的設(shè)計。上周,歐盟一名法官裁定支持蘋果的請求,在多數(shù)歐洲地區(qū)暫時禁止銷售三星Galaxy Tab 10.1。
本文下一頁:想收購MOTO的不止Google一家?
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可能爆發(fā)并購戰(zhàn)?
Google所謂的“supercharging”Android生態(tài)系統(tǒng),暗示著Google計劃與Motorola團(tuán)隊進(jìn)行特別緊密地合作。這對于Google而言是很微妙的平衡:其它重要的Android供貨商并不樂意Google對Motorola有任何一絲偏袒,讓它得到不公平的優(yōu)勢,我們可能會見到Samsung、HTC、LG、Sony Ericsson和其它公司再度投 向其它手機(jī)平臺的懷抱,它們最有可能選擇微軟的Windows Phone生態(tài)系統(tǒng),藉此讓Google老實一點。
此筆收購肯定會強(qiáng)化Google的專利組合,在一波未平一波又起的手機(jī)產(chǎn)業(yè)專利訴訟戰(zhàn)中跨出重要一步,對于瞄準(zhǔn)Android和其供貨商伙伴的訴訟而言意義重大。
Motorola有強(qiáng)大的專利組合和制造先進(jìn)裝置與技術(shù)的長遠(yuǎn)歷史,但是最近幾年身陷財務(wù)狀況不佳,讓它成為一個具有吸引力的收購目標(biāo)。
技術(shù)投資快報Next Inning Technology Research的編輯Paul McWilliams表示,另一家公司,有可能是微軟,可能加入并購戰(zhàn),提出比谷歌更高的出價來競購摩托羅拉移動。
“我認(rèn)為,如果只是為了迫使谷歌出更高的價錢,其它公司完全可能參加競購,”McWilliams周一在寫給訂戶的報告中表示,“我預(yù)計,谷歌顯然可以從許多角度來利用摩托羅拉移動,而摩托羅拉移動的專利資產(chǎn)幾乎是必爭之地?!?
McWilliams表示,谷歌的舉動也可能促使微軟收購全球最大的手機(jī)生產(chǎn)商諾基亞。
億萬富翁伊坎周一發(fā)表聲明,對谷歌的收購行動表示歡迎。伊坎是摩托羅拉的大股東,在北電網(wǎng)絡(luò)出售專利之后,上月公開敦促摩托羅拉移動考慮出售其專利資產(chǎn)。
伊坎表示:“這對于摩托羅拉移動的全體股東來說是極好的結(jié)果,尤其是考慮到目前的市場形勢。”
摩托羅拉移動的首席執(zhí)行官杰哈在單獨聲明中表示:“此次收購為摩托羅拉移動的股東創(chuàng)造了巨大的價值,并為我們的全球員工、消費者和合作伙伴創(chuàng)造了誘人的新機(jī)會。”
谷歌表示,谷歌與摩托羅拉移動的董事會都已一致同意上述收購計劃,還需獲得美國、歐洲和其它國家監(jiān)管部門批準(zhǔn)和摩托羅拉移動股東的批準(zhǔn)。預(yù)計該交易將于2011年底或2012年初完成。
本文下一頁:業(yè)界專家的看法
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• 谷歌收購摩托羅拉,誰將是下一個被收購者?UTyesmc
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業(yè)界專家的看法
國際電子商情首席分析師孫昌旭:
“經(jīng)過二十幾小時的飛行,剛一落地,就被谷哥與MOTO這一重要消息刺激了。雖是預(yù)料之中,但是情感承受之難。蘋果、微軟+諾基、谷哥+MOTO,三家如壟斷,亞洲廠商的出路在哪兒?下一步棋猜想:高通、英特爾找HTC、三星等亞洲廠商聯(lián)盟?這三個陣營顯然對高通、英特爾不利?!?
奇虎360董事長周鴻祎與金山董事長雷軍的觀點頗為一致:
周鴻祎認(rèn)為,谷歌此次收購再學(xué)蘋果垂直整合,逼得微軟收購NOKIA,然后蘋果、谷歌、微軟三大陣營角力。雷軍則表示,谷歌的收購意味著智能手機(jī)的競爭就是“硬件、軟件和服務(wù)的鐵人三項賽”,下一步就是微軟收購Nokia了。
李開復(fù):此舉是為了專利
谷歌是個信仰開放的公司,提供免費開源手機(jī)操作系統(tǒng)是為了推廣生態(tài)系統(tǒng),并增加后臺搜索地圖等服務(wù);谷歌收購Nortel專利受挫,決定收購摩托專利;此舉是為了專利,而非軟硬件整合。
Ovum分析師Tim Renowden :
“此筆收購肯定會強(qiáng)化Google的專利組合,在一波未平一波又起的手機(jī)產(chǎn)業(yè)專利訴訟戰(zhàn)中跨出重要一步,對于瞄準(zhǔn)Android和其供貨商伙伴的訴訟而言意義重大?!?
野村證券全球技術(shù)專家 RICHARD WINDSOR:
“我認(rèn)為Google醉翁之意在專利。Google希望保護(hù)Android社區(qū),但其它手機(jī)廠商會感到自己的權(quán)力被剝奪。摩托羅拉發(fā)揮的作用并不太大,Google此舉實際上會摧毀整個社區(qū)。125億美元出價不菲,我們的估值低于該收購價格。Google對制造手機(jī)賺錢沒興趣,而是對廣告感興趣?!?
市場研究公司GARTNER高級消費設(shè)備分析師 CAROLINA MILANESI:
“Google收購摩托羅拉移動并非只是收購一家硬件公司。摩托羅拉部分核心專利可通過收購獲得。此次收購交易不會阻止蘋果追逐摩托羅拉專利,但為摩托羅拉專利增加了一個討價還價的籌碼。收購交易有助于Google拓展平板電腦市場。125億美元出價的確不菲,但卻能夠節(jié)省大量專利費。對摩托羅拉而言,這筆交易很劃算。Google曾試圖推出Nexus智能手機(jī),結(jié)果卻大出所料?!?
GABELLI & CO分析師 HENDI SUSANTO:
“Google和摩托羅拉聯(lián)手,將成為一個強(qiáng)大的硬件-軟件整合體,同蘋果、三星和宏達(dá)電競爭。我認(rèn)為其交易不會遭遇監(jiān)管機(jī)構(gòu)的挑戰(zhàn)。其他Android用戶如三星、LG、宏達(dá)電等或擔(dān)憂摩托羅拉獲得其硬件與Android軟件密切整合的優(yōu)勢,更熟悉未來的Android平臺。Google已經(jīng)明確表示,摩托羅拉將作為一家獨立企業(yè)運(yùn)營,其態(tài)度將緩和其它廠商的擔(dān)憂??傊?,我仍然期待收購交易能夠順利完成?!?
CCS INSIGHT分析師 BEN WOOD:
“Google收購摩托羅拉可減少對硬件廠商和運(yùn)營商的依賴性,但會在Android社區(qū)引發(fā)大的擔(dān)憂,或提升Windows Phone 7地位。獲得摩托羅拉移動專利也是Google收購摩托羅拉的最大動力。對摩托羅拉移動和CEO桑杰•賈而言,這是一項豐功偉績?!?
STRAND咨詢機(jī)構(gòu)創(chuàng)始人兼CEO JOHN STRAND:
“我認(rèn)為Google不希望同三星、宏達(dá)電、LG和索尼愛立信競爭。我認(rèn)為Google會退出硬件市場,在獲得專利、軟件、熟悉移動產(chǎn)業(yè)的人力后,Google會將摩托羅拉品牌出售給一家中國廠商?!?
BGC PARTNERS分析師 COLLIN GILLIS:
“該收購交易需要時日才能見效。Google擁有巨額現(xiàn)金、希望追逐利潤,目前Android尚未盈利。Google曾表示希望提供類似蘋果的硬件和軟件體驗。RIM要錯過一個潛在買家。Google無需收購摩托羅拉,其目的就是在追逐新的利潤渠道。摩托羅拉移動不值得收購,僅依靠硬件無法賺錢。”
IDC分析師 FRANCISCO JERONIMO:
“三星和宏達(dá)電將繼續(xù)推動Windows Phone平臺的發(fā)展,因為Google收購摩托羅拉使三星和宏達(dá)電意識到自己必須實行平臺差異化戰(zhàn)略。另外,由于摩托羅拉是GSM領(lǐng)域的先鋒,Google將因此獲得大量專利組合?!?
編譯:
Luffy Liu
本文授權(quán)編譯自EE Times,版權(quán)所有,謝絕轉(zhuǎn)載
參考英文原文:Google to buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5B,by Dylan McGrath
相關(guān)閱讀:
• 蘋果微軟再度聯(lián)手,Google深陷專利戰(zhàn)泥潭
• 蘋果官司勝訴將沖擊平板市場生意?
• 谷歌收購摩托羅拉,誰將是下一個被收購者?UTyesmc
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Google to buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5B
Dylan McGrath
In its boldest and most ambitious step yet into the mobile handset space, Web search giant Google Inc. said Monday (Aug. 15) it signed a definitive agreement to acquire handset vendor Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for about $12.5 billion.
Google (Mountain View, Calif.) said it would pay $40 per share for Motorola Mobility, a premium of 63 percent over the handset makers Aug. 12 closing price of $24.47. Motorola Mobility's stock surged up 56 percent in early afternoon trading Monday on the news.
Google said the acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a member of the Android Open Handset Alliance, would enable Google to "supercharge" the Android ecosystem and enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open, Google said. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business, Google said.
"Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies," said Larry Page, Google co-founder and CEO, in a statement. "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."
In a blog posting, Page said the acquisition would strengthen Google's patent portfolio, enabling the firm to better protect Android from "anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies." Page noted that Microsoft and Apple last month led a consortium of companies that banded together to buy a load of patents from Nortel Networks Corp. for $4.5 billion. Google claims this acquisition is part of anti-competitive behavior meant to squash the growth of the Android operating system, which is now the leading smartphone OS, found in 48 percent of smartphones in the second quarter, according to market research firm Canalys Ltd.
Google initially bit $900 million for the Nortel patents. Some analysts have said Google is in desperate need of patents. There are reportedly more than 45 patent infringement lawsuits against Android and makers of Android devices.
Motorola Mobility currently holds 24,500 approved and pending patents around the world. These include 14,600 approved and 6,700 pending patents held by its Mobile Devices unit covering key industry wireless standards including 4G and near-field communications. Together, this treasure trove could aid Google in defending itself in ongoing intellectual property fights with rival mobile device developers.
"From an intellectual property standpoint, the acquisition bolsters Google’s negotiating position with Apple, in the event that Apple goes after Android-based products the same way it did with Samsung in Europe," said Francis Sideco, principal analyst for wireless communications at market research firm HIS iSuppli. “If nothing else, Google will be able to assert Motorola’s IP for the 3GPP and 3GPP2 cellphone specifications, which are used in both the iPhone and iPad."
Apple has filed patent infringement lawsuits against Samsung, claiming that Samsung's Galaxy media tablets and smartphones copy the design of Apple products. Last week, a European Union judge granted an Apple request to temporarily halt the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in most of Europe.
Possible bidding war?
Paul McWilliams, editor of technology investment newsletter Next Inning Technology Research, said that another company—perhaps Microsoft—might enter the fray and top Google's bid for Motorola Mobility.
"I think there is a reasonable enough chance we'll see someone else come in with a counteroffer if for no other reason but to force Google to dig a little deeper," McWilliams wrote in a report to subscribers Monday. "As I see it, Google can clearly leverage Motorola Mobility from many perspectives, and the armor of Motorola Mobility's patent portfolio is nearly a must-have."
McWilliams said Google's move might also spur Microsoft to acquire Nokia Corp., the world's largest handset maker.
Billionaire financier Carl Ichan, a large Motorola shareholder who last month publicly urged Motorola Mobility to explore options for selling its patent portfolio in the wake of the Nortel patent auction, issued a statement Monday applauding the Google deal.
"This is a great outcome for all shareholders of Motorola Mobility, especially in light of today's markets," Icahn said.
In a separate statement, 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."
Google and Motorola Mobility's' boards have already unanimously approved the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the U.S., the European Union and other jurisdictions, and the approval of Motorola Mobility’s stockholders, Google said. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012, Google said.
責(zé)編:Quentin