Lenovo to acquire Motorola Mobility

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 02:00 PM PST

We’ve just signed an agreement to sell Motorola to Lenovo for $2.91 billion. As this is an important move for Android users everywhere, I wanted to explain why in detail.
We acquired Motorola in 2012 to help supercharge the Android ecosystem by creating a stronger patent portfolio for Google and great smartphones for users. Over the past 19 months, Dennis Woodside and the Motorola team have done a tremendous job reinventing the company.  They’ve focused on building a smaller number of great (and great value) smartphones that consumers love.  Both the Moto G and the Moto X are doing really well, and I’m very excited about the smartphone lineup for 2014.  And on the intellectual property side, Motorola’s patents have helped create a level playing field, which is good news for all Android’s users and partners.
But the smartphone market is super competitive, and to thrive it helps to be all-in when it comes to making mobile devices.  It’s why we believe that Motorola will be better served by Lenovo—which has a rapidly growing smartphone business and is the largest (and fastest-growing) PC manufacturer in the world. This move will enable Google to devote our energy to driving innovation across the Android ecosystem, for the benefit of smartphone users everywhere. As a side note, this does not signal a larger shift for our other hardware efforts. The dynamics and maturity of the wearable and home markets, for example, are very different from that of the mobile industry. We’re excited by the opportunities to build amazing new products for users within these emerging ecosystems.
Lenovo has the expertise and track record to scale Motorola into a major player within the Android ecosystem. They have a lot of experience in hardware, and they have global reach. In addition, Lenovo intends to keep Motorola’s distinct brand identity—just as they did when they acquired ThinkPad from IBM in 2005.  Google will retain the vast majority of Motorola’s patents, which we will continue to use to defend the entire Android ecosystem.
The deal has yet to be approved in the U.S. or China, and this usually takes time. So until then, it’s business as usual. I’m phenomenally impressed with everything the Motorola team has achieved and confident that with Lenovo as a partner, Motorola will build more and more great products for people everywhere.
Posted by Larry Page, CEO

Change.Org

At least one former chief, detective and captain are among 75,000 of us, asking for deadly force to be that last possible resort and when it is used, for there to be trustworthy investigations and reviews of those police who feel they must use it.  This makes sense.

Please, ask JUST ONE friend or family member to sign this petition for fair investigations and reviews of law enforcement and share with them the words of these former law enforcement leaders. http://www.change.org/ab409

David Couper, Former Chief of Police, City of Madison, WI  http://improvingpolice.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/building-community-trust/
Chief Maples, Former Captain, City of Madison, WI  http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/column/cheri-maples-training-must-be-balanced-to-reflect-cop-s/article_0ee3afc2-7542-11e2-9695-0019bb2963f4.html

Russel Beckman, Former Detective, City of Kenosha, WI  http://www.reddit.com/r/police/comments/1v4d4x/cop_risks_everything_calls_for_oversight_of_police/

Big News for the Arctic — Appeals Court’s ruling put Shell’s summer drilling plans in limbo. Now is our chance to turn up the pressure. Tell Secretary Jewell to cancel the lease under which Shell plans to drill in the Alaskan Arctic this summer.

A federal court just dealt a huge blow to Shell’s plans to drill for oil in the Alaskan Arctic this year.
The court ruled that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — the federal agency that permits oil companies to drill offshore — intentionally downplayed the impact Arctic oil drilling would have on the fragile environment of the Arctic Ocean.

This beautiful place is home to hundreds of Alaskan Native communities in addition to wildlife like polar bears, seals and whales.
This agency has a history of failing to protect our coastline from oil spills — like the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010. This time a court caught their mistake.
This ruling is a big deal for Arctic protection. The proposed drilling area at the center of the case is the same one that Shell notoriously failed to drill last year, due to its own negligence. It’s the same area Shell is chomping at the bit to get at again this summer.
This is one of our best chances to stop Shell. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell oversees BOEM and has the power to make sure this lease does not go through.
Send a message to Secretary Jewell today, urging her to cancel this lease and stop Shell from drilling in the Arctic in 2014.
Meanwhile, things are not looking good for Shell. In 2012, its drill ship ran aground and it could not meet the basic requirements of its permits. The company is desperate to put the humiliations in encountered in 2012 behind it. To make matters worse, its investors are becoming increasingly worried. The company invested over $5 billion into its Arctic drilling plans — and has nothing to show for it.
All indications say this is causing Shell’s investors to lose their patience. If we get this lease cancelled and stop Shell from drilling again this year, they might not get another chance. Help us keep the campaign momentum going by telling Secretary Jewell to cancel this lease sale and keep Shell out of the Arctic in 2014.
We have the world on our side. A few days ago, the movement to create a global sanctuary in the Arctic surpassed five million people. There aren’t many movements in the world that can claim victories like this. Together, we can protect the Alaskan Arctic this year.
For the Arctic,
Gustavo Ampugnani Greenpeace Arctic Campaigner