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Android exec Hugo Barra quits for Chinese mobile maker
Moving to Xiaomi.
One of Android’s leading execs has quit his post and is heading to
China to work for one of the country’s mobile manufacturers. Hugo Barra,
Android’s vice-president of product management who has worked at Google
for five and a half years, is set to join Xiaomi, working on developing
their Android portfolio.In a post on Google+, Barra said, “In a few weeks, I'll be joining the Xiaomi team in China to help them expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally — as Vice President, Xiaomi Global.
“I'm really looking forward to this new challenge, and am particularly excited about the opportunity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem.”
Barra’s departure follows that of Andy Rubin, Android’s creator, who left the Android team to work on other Google projects.
It’s believed that Barra’s leaving is also related to the end of Google founder Sergey Brin’s marriage. Brin is believed to be seeing someone with whom Barra used to be involved.
With another key member of Android personnel gone, a question now hangs over the future of the Big G’s OS. Who will take his role and will the company recover from losing such expertise?
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