Google’s Chrome and Apps VP takes over reins of Android division

13 Mar 2013

Sundar Pichai, Google's senior vice-president, Chrome and Apps

Changes are afoot at internet search giant Google – its senior vice-president of Chrome and Apps Sundar Pichai is taking over from Andy Rubin in leading the Android division, while Rubin takes on a new role at the company.

Pichai will lead Android while continuing his existing work with Chrome and Apps, Google CEO Larry Page wrote in a blog post.

“Having exceeded even the crazy ambitious goals we dreamed of for Android – and with a really strong leadership team in place – Andy’s decided it’s time to hand over the reins and start a new chapter at Google,” Page wrote.

“Sundar has a talent for creating products that are technically excellent yet easy to use – and he loves a big bet. Take Chrome, for example. In 2008, people asked whether the world really needed another browser. Today Chrome has hundreds of millions of happy users and is growing fast thanks to its speed, simplicity and security,” Page added.

“So while Andy’s a really hard act to follow, I know Sundar will do a tremendous job doubling down on Android as we work to push the ecosystem forward.”

There’s no additional detail on what Rubin’s new role will entail.

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

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