Google has announced that it has signed an agreement with HTC, acquiring their talents in an effort to boost its hardware business.
Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior Vice President for Hardware, said that the agreement with HTC, which was reported to cost Google USD 1.1 billion in cash, will fuel even more product innovation in the company in the years ahead. To make that happen, “a team of HTC talent will join Google as part of the hardware organization.” The deal also includes a non-exclusive license for HTC intellectual property.
Osterloh also said that those talents from HTC have already worked closely with Google on the Pixel smartphone line. It’s not the first time the two companies have collaborated though as they have worked together for the HTC Dream (aka T-Mobile G1), Nexus One in 2010, Nexus 9 tablet in 2014, and the first Pixel smartphone in 2016.
“It’s still early days for Google’s hardware business. We’re focused on building our core capabilities while creating a portfolio of products that offers people a unique yet delightful experience only made possible by bringing together the best of Google software—like the Google Assistant—with thoughtfully designed hardware,” said Osterloh.
Source: Google
