Tech giant Google on Thursday said that it has signed an
agreement with HTC to buy part of the Taiwanese company’s smartphone business
for $ 1.1 billion.
The deal include HTC employees who worked on Google’s Pixel
smartphone and intellectual property rights, the two companies have said in a
statement.
“HTC will receive $ 1.1 billion in cash from Google as part
of the transaction. Separately, Google will receive a non—exclusive licence for
HTC intellectual property (IP),” the statement added.
HTC can focus on enabling a more streamlined product
portfolio, greater operational efficiency and financial flexibility.
“In addition to the talented and experienced team of
professionals, Google will continue to have access to HTC’s IP to support the
Pixel smartphone family,” it said.
It also represents a significant investment by Google in
Taiwan as a key innovation and technology hub.
Cher Wang, the Chairwoman and CEO of HTC, said the agreement
will enable Google to supercharge their hardware business while ensuring
continued innovation within HTC’s smartphone and VIVE virtual reality
businesses.
“We believe HTC is well positioned to maintain our rich
legacy of innovation and realize the potential of a new generation of connected
products and services,” she added.
The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals
and customary closing conditions, is expected to close by early 2018.
HTC has been a longtime partner of Google and has created
some of the most beautiful, premium devices on the market, Rick Osterloh,
Senior Vice President of Hardware at Google said.
Both Google and HTC have significant presence in the
country.
