Google Buys Motorola Mobility

The government clears Google’s purchase of Motorola.

In decisions that largely clear a path for the biggest acquisition in Google’s (GOOG) history, European and U.S. regulators Monday approved the Internet giant’s purchase of Motorola Mobility, a deal that would transform Google into a maker of both mobile hardware and software like its rivals Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft.

The twin approvals by the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission are a key milestone toward finalizing the $12.5 billion purchase, an investment by Google that emphasizes the Web’s accelerating shift to mobile devices.

“It goes to show just how important mobile is to Google going forward,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Gartner. “This is a major strategic bet that they are making.”

The deal, which still needs approval from regulators in China, Taiwan and Israel, would not only give Google control of an important maker of smartphones, tablets and TV set-top boxes, but also access to Motorola’s war chest of more than 17,000 patents.

In another decision Monday, the Justice Department also signed off on a series of patent purchases by Apple, Microsoft and Research in Motion from Nortel

OpenSky Featured in Fast Company

One of our friends, OpenSky, was named one of The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company!

OpenSky was named the 49th Most Innovative Company in the World by Fast Company Magazine! Check them out in the March issue of Fast Company - on stands today!


From Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Interior Designer and OpenSky Curator:

The thing I think is so exciting about OpenSky is that all of the followers get to experience things that I am excited about at that moment. [It’s] an amazing platform where we can instantly give you the best of the best and share the things that I love the most.

 

 

TOSV Has A New Neighbor!

Apple Leases Sunnyvale Complex as it Expands Into That City

Apple has recently leased a large research center and office complex in Sunnyvale next door to The Office of Silicon Valley and is seeking even more space in the city, marking a major expansion outside of the tech titan’s hometown of Cupertino.

From the Mercury News  website:

“Apple is going to start moving into the buildings by the end of the first quarter,” said Donald Reimann, a senior vice president with Colliers. “This is really a good fit for Apple because it’s close to their headquarters.”

 

Former Resident, 955 Dreams Goes Big Time!

History of Jazz iPad App

Our friends and former residents here at The Office of Silicon Valley are doing an amazing job with their mobile apps (History of Jazz) and really making it big. You can say their dreams are coming true… Bad puns aside, we are thrilled to see them doing so well and creating wonderful products.

From the 955 Dreams website:

The History of Jazz was designed and built from the ground up for the iPad. When you use the app, it’s clear how much more immersive and fun this is over a regular book. An absolute delight for beginners and advanced Jazz enthusiasts. A must have for all iPad Users…

Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Check out their website for more vids and follow them on Twitter:
955 Dreams Website
955 Dreams on Twitter

Article: Swap.com Energizes Team by Sharing Space With Other Startups

When I joined Swap.com, we had a team of seven and were renting an office in downtown Boston. To implement our expansion strategy, we needed to look for new office space.

Throughout my career, I have worked in many kinds of office settings. In addition to my work at Lycos and NameMedia, I have had the good fortune of advising several young ventures over the years. One of my observations from these experiences is that it is very difficult for young companies to generate the energy and buzz that is oftentimes required if they are in their own, separate space. It is not impossible to make this work, but it is difficult.

» Read the rest of the article

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