Bye bye Andy: Google Android boss steps down
Android boss Andy Rubin is to leave the job and will be replaced by Google Chrome boss Sundar Pichai.
“Having exceeded even the crazy ambitious goals we dreamed of for Android-Andy’s decided it’s time to hand over the reins and start a new chapter at Google,” Larry Page, CEO wrote on Google’s blog.
In a letter to Android partners (including Samsung, HTC, Asus) Rubin said he was “an entrepreneur at heart and now is the right time for me to start a new chapter within Google.” (Many are saying this will be at Google’s X-Lab).
The Android whizz kid said he is “incredibly proud of the phenomenal group of people that spend their days (and nights) building the Android platform and services. “
“Today, the success of Android combined with the strength of our management team, gives me the confidence to step away from Android and hand over the reins.”
The full text of Rubin’s letter was revealed in Wall Street Journal.
In a blog post today, CEO Page wrote:
“Sergey and I first heard about Android back in 2004, when Andy Rubin came to visit us at Google. He believed that aligning standards around an open-source operating system would drive innovation across the mobile industry.
“Most people thought he was nuts. “
But he wasn’t.
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In fact with Rubin at the helm, made Google the most successful mobile software system, pushing Apple out of the top spot in the smartphone market and catching up to iPad onteh tablet front, a massive 60 manufacturers carry the green man OS; over 750 million devices activated.
Page also praised incomer Sundar, saying “he loves a big bet.”
“So while Andy’s a really hard act to follow, I know Sundar will do a tremendous job doubling down on Android as we work to push the ecosystem forward.
Page also referred to The Nexus program-developed in conjunction with Asus, HTC, LG and Samsung-“has become a beacon of innovation for the industry, and services such as Google Now.”It’s an exciting time to be at Google.
