Former head of Android Andy Rubin leaves Google to start tech hardware incubator
Google's former head of Android, and most recently robotics chief, Andy Rubin on Thursday announced he is leaving the company to start an incubator focusing on technology hardware products.
The news was first relayed by The Wall Street Journal, which reported Rubin is moving on from Google to help hardware startups get off the ground, an area of expertise for the Android cofounder.
"I want to wish Andy all the best with what's next," said Google CEO Larry Page. "With Android he created something truly remarkable--with a billion plus happy users. Thank you."
Starting out at Google as head of Android, Rubin switched positions to take on the Internet giant's robotics division in 2013. In the intervening months, Google has invested heavily in the sector, expanding its portfolio of technology through research and acquisitions like noted military contractor Boston Dynamics.
Citing sources familiar, a subsequent report from The Information claims Rubin's departure involved the structure of his team at Google, for which he was supposedly seeking a "different arrangement."
Prior to joining Google and building out the Android operating system, Rubin worked at Apple from 1989 to 1992. Following his stint in Cupertino, he moved to General Magic before cofounding Danger, maker of the then-popular Sidekick smartphone. Rubin split off to cofound Android, Inc., which was purchased by Google in 2005.
Replacing Rubin at Google's robotics arm will be James Kuffner, who will move up the ranks to take over the division.
The news was first relayed by The Wall Street Journal, which reported Rubin is moving on from Google to help hardware startups get off the ground, an area of expertise for the Android cofounder.
"I want to wish Andy all the best with what's next," said Google CEO Larry Page. "With Android he created something truly remarkable--with a billion plus happy users. Thank you."
Starting out at Google as head of Android, Rubin switched positions to take on the Internet giant's robotics division in 2013. In the intervening months, Google has invested heavily in the sector, expanding its portfolio of technology through research and acquisitions like noted military contractor Boston Dynamics.
Citing sources familiar, a subsequent report from The Information claims Rubin's departure involved the structure of his team at Google, for which he was supposedly seeking a "different arrangement."
Prior to joining Google and building out the Android operating system, Rubin worked at Apple from 1989 to 1992. Following his stint in Cupertino, he moved to General Magic before cofounding Danger, maker of the then-popular Sidekick smartphone. Rubin split off to cofound Android, Inc., which was purchased by Google in 2005.
Replacing Rubin at Google's robotics arm will be James Kuffner, who will move up the ranks to take over the division.
Comments
Head Copy Artist himself...mother fuckers be jumping ship after the big screen iPhones came out...hahahha
Half-baked.
Citing sources familiar, a subsequent report from The Information claims Rubin's departure involved the structure of his team at Google, for which he was supposedly seeking a "different arrangement."
So, not just a case of 'onwards and upwards' then...
Look like Google will pay up Oracle soon for the copied code. So this guys jumps ship before getting fired.
Obviously, Sundar Pichai & Andy Rubin couldn't get along ....
"... a subsequent report from The Information claims Rubin's departure involved the structure of his team at Google ..."
As in "We just bought Boston Dynamics. Get lost, Andy."
Watching the Rifftrax for that right now.
“Hey, come back for more people!”
“Eat me!”
Very appropriate, lol.
I guess the robots thing did not workout so well for Andy since Sundar took Android away from him.
Projects gathering dust in Google Labs?
1. Self driving cars.
2. Google Glass.
3. Robots from Boston Dynamics.
With Andy gone, Google should look to innovate in search and advertising.
They estimated that number by taking the amount of fragmentation, and assuming each device sold to exactly one customer, and came up with one billion users. The happiness of the users was measured by how much time their devices sat at the bottom of sock drawers.
With Andy gone, Google should look to innovate in search and advertising.
Couldn't agree more.
It seems that Facebook could be starting to be a threat to Google's advertising dollars. And wait till flush-with-cash-and-valuation Alibaba goes after them in the US, while simultaneously getting into search in China (where Google is not allowed to compete). Google should perhaps be doing more to build a wall around its core business instead of wasting time with zero-margin nonsense.
Couldn't agree more.
It seems that Facebook could be starting to be a threat to Google's advertising dollars. And wait till flush-with-cash-and-valuation Alibaba goes after them in the US, while simultaneously getting into search in China (where Google is not allowed to compete). Google should perhaps be doing more to build a wall around its core business instead of wasting time with zero-margin nonsense.
You don't think Android helps generate data for Google's core business?
Wasn't he into robots?
Let me guess. Hes going to make a watch next.
1st class copiest.
No. Wearable computers.