Android pushes Motorola into black

From CNET News.com: The U.S.-based cell phone maker reported today that its mobile device business posted an operating profit for the first time since 2006. The company had not expected this unit to turn a profit until 2011.The company, which announced third quarter earnings, also posted better-than-expected sales of its Google Android-powered smartphones.

The mobile phone unit generated $3 million in operating profit during the third quarter. This was up from an operating loss of $183 million during the same period a year ago. Motorola's total profit for the company also grew to $109 million, or 5 cents per share. This compares with $12 million, or 1 cent per share, during the third quarter last year.

Revenue was up 6 percent to $5.8 billion compared with $5.4 billion last year.

Motorola plans to split itself into two companies later this year. And it has been selling off business units in preparation. The third quarter included $871 million of sales from the network equipment unit that Motorola is selling.

The company topped analyst expectations during the quarter in terms of unit shipments. During the quarter it shipped 9.1 million phones, including 3.8 million smartphones. Analysts expected the company to ship about 3.57 million smartphones, according to Reuters.

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