Motorola (NYSE:MOT) named a former industry analyst as its point man for strategy for its mobile devices and set-top box divisions. The company tapped John Bucher, a former equity research analyst focused on communication technology, to help it continue its smartphone turnaround.
Bucher will report to Motorola co-CEO Sanjay Jha, who will the lead the company's handset and set-top box units when they split off as its own public company early next year. In addition to his work as an equity analyst, Bucher also served for several years as a director-level manager with Bell Atlantic/NYNEX Mobile and PrimeCo Personal Communications, which are both now part of Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ).
Motorola has been trying to turn around its handset business by betting heavily on Google's Android platform. The company had a hit with the Droid, which Verizon Wireless launched late last year and is still strongly promoting.
Verizon reportedly is readying two new Motorola Android phones for launch. New details have emerged about the devices, dubbed Droid X and Droid 2. The Droid X, which may be launched next month, is rumored to run Android 2.1 with a modified version of Motorola's MotoBLUR user interface. It is also expected to have a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, 720p HD playback, HDMI output and an 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash. The Droid 2, which is rumored to launch in August, reportedly has a 1 GHz processor, uses Microsoft Exchange processor and has a keyboard. A Verizon spokeswoman declined to comment.
For more:
- see this release
- see this Electronista post
- see this CNet article
- see this Engadget post
Related Articles:
Motorola jazzed by continued Droid demand
Motorola plans tablet, follow-up to Droid
Motorola may move new handset company to California
Motorola scores Q1 profit as smartphone sales rise
Motorola to break out results of set-top box, networks units