Google working on 'X' phone and tablet to take on rivals

Reuters Photo. 'X' phone: Google is working on a new phone to take on rivals such as Apple. IMAGE

12/22/12 By Balaji Sridharan of Reuters

Google acquired Motorola in May for $12.5 billion to bolster its patent portfolio as its Android mobile operating system competes with rivals such as Apple and Samsung.

Google is working with recently acquired Motorola on a handset codenamed "X phone," aimed at grabbing market share from Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The Journal quoted the people saying that Motorola is working on two fronts: devices that will be sold by carrier partner Verizon Wireless, and on the X phone.

Motorola plans to enhance the X phone with its recent acquisition of Viewdle, an imaging and gesture-recognition software developer. The new handset is due out sometime next year, the business daily said, citing a person familiar with the plans.

Motorola is also expected to work on an "X" tablet after the phone. Google Chief Executive Larry Page is said to have promised a significant marketing budget for the unit, the newspaper said.

Google was not immediately reachable for comments outside regular business hours.

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