Google Android boss replaced by Chrome leader

Posted on Thursday, March 14 2013 @ 13:11 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
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A big shakeup occurred at Google yesterday as Andy Rubin, one of the main drivers behind the company's Android operating system, stepped down to "start a new chapter at Google". He will be replaced by Sundar Pichai, the senior vice president in charge of the Chrome browser and OS. It's unknown what Rubin will be doing at Google, but Wired speculates he may lead Google's charge towards wearable technology:
“Having exceeded even the crazy ambitious goals we dreamed of for Android — and with a really strong leadership team in place — Andy’s decided it’s time to hand over the reins and start a new chapter at Google,” Page wrote in his announcement. “Andy, more moonshots please!”

One possibility is Rubin will go to Google X, the skunkworks division specifically charged with making crazy, far-out concepts like autonomous vehicles and Google Glass reality. Page’s mentioning moonshots hints at such a move, and it makes sense to have Rubin lead Google’s charge toward the next great computing platform — wearable technology.

Glass is the company’s first foray into wearables, and if anyone has proven he can build a computing platform, it’s Rubin. He co-founded Android Inc. in 2003, after selling Danger Inc. (the company that invented the T-Mobile Sidekick smartphone) to Microsoft. He took Android to Google in 2004 and sold it on backing his vision for mobile computing. He’s been with Google ever since, presiding over Android’s rise to the top of the worldwide mobile OS pecking order. Page noted in today’s announcement that Android has been activated on more than 750 million devices worldwide and more than 25 billion apps have been downloaded from Google Play.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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