Who Owns Motorola?

In a Nutshell
Get a quick overview of the main points discussed in this blog post.

• Motorola, a pioneer in telecommunications, has undergone several ownership changes.
• Initially an American company, Motorola split into Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility in 2011.
• Google acquired Motorola Mobility in 2012, then Lenovo purchased it in 2014.
• Motorola Solutions remains a separate entity, focusing on public safety and enterprise security solutions.

Table of Contents:

• The Origin of Motorola
• Motorola’s Split: Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions
• Google’s Acquisition of Motorola Mobility
• Lenovo Takes Over Motorola Mobility
• The Current State of Motorola
• FAQ

The Origin of Motorola

Motorola’s History dates back to 1928, when it was founded by Paul and Joseph Galvin as Galvin Manufacturing Corporation. The name “Motorola” was adopted in 1930 when the company started producing car radios.

• Pioneering Innovations: Motorola was instrumental in developing many innovative technologies including the first mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X.
• Growth and Expansion: Over the decades, Motorola expanded its portfolio to include semiconductors, microprocessors, and other electronics.

Motorola’s Split: Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions

In January 2011, Motorola, Inc. split into two separate public companies: Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions.

Motorola Mobility:

• Focus: This entity focused on consumer electronics, including smartphones and set-top boxes.
• Initial Leadership: Sanjay Jha was the first CEO of Motorola Mobility.

Motorola Solutions:

• Focus: This company retained the enterprise and government communications technology sectors.
• Product Range: Motorola Solutions deals with public safety and security solutions, including radios and other communication systems.

Google’s Acquisition of Motorola Mobility

In August 2011, Google announced its acquisition of Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion, a deal that was completed in May 2012.

• Rationale: Google’s aim was to acquire Motorola’s extensive patent portfolio to protect its Android operating system from litigation.
• Changes Under Google: While Google’s ownership saw some innovations, it primarily focused on leveraging Motorola’s patents.

Lenovo Takes Over Motorola Mobility

In January 2014, Google struck a deal to sell Motorola Mobility to Lenovo for $2.91 billion, which was finalized in October 2014.

• Strategic Move: Lenovo aimed to broaden its position in the global smartphone market with this acquisition.
• Product Impact: Under Lenovo, Motorola launched several successful smartphone series, like the Moto G and Moto Z lines.

The Current State of Motorola

Today, Motorola Mobility operates as a subsidiary of Lenovo, and the brand continues to develop and produce smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.

• Market Presence: Motorola maintains a significant presence in markets across North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Technological Advancements: Motorola under Lenovo has continued to push the envelope with innovations in mobile technology.

Motorola Solutions:

Motorola Solutions remains a separate entity that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSI. Its focus remains on enterprise and public safety solutions.

Key Points:
– Public Safety: Motorola Solutions continues to support public safety and infrastructure through cutting-edge technology solutions.
– Global Reach: With a global workforce, Motorola Solutions serves a wide range of industries from government to commercial enterprises.

FAQ

1. Who originally founded Motorola?
   • Motorola was founded by Paul and Joseph Galvin in 1928.
2. What was the reason behind Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility?
   • Google acquired Motorola Mobility primarily for its extensive patent portfolio to protect the Android ecosystem from litigation.
3. When did Lenovo purchase Motorola Mobility?
   • Lenovo purchased Motorola Mobility from Google in January 2014, with the deal closing in October 2014.
4. What is the focus of Motorola Solutions today?
   • Motorola Solutions focuses on public safety and enterprise security solutions, dealing with radios and communication systems for various industries.
5. Does Motorola still manufacture smartphones?
   • Yes, Motorola Mobility, under Lenovo, continues to produce smartphones, including popular lines like Moto G and Moto Z.
6. How is Motorola Solutions different from Motorola Mobility?
   • Motorola Solutions addresses enterprise and public safety communication needs, whereas Motorola Mobility focuses on consumer electronics like smartphones and tablets.
7. Where can I get more information on corporate ownership?
   • You can visit Who Owns for comprehensive information on corporate ownership.

For more information on the telecommunications industry and Motorola’s competitors, you can check out this resource and this article.