Google Android VP exits to join Chinese phone maker

| at Thursday, August 29, 2013 | Leave a comment

Don't let the door hit you on the way out

One of the more familiar faces at Google is leaving the company to join a Chinese phone maker.

Hugo Barra, vice president, Android Product Management at Google, is taking off to become Vice President at Xiaomi Global. Barra has become a fixture at Mountain View events, such as IO, and product unveilings, including introducing the new Nexus 7 and Android 4.3 last month.

"After nearly five and a half years at Google and almost three years as a member of the Android team...I have decided to start a new career chapter," Barra wrote on his Google+.

"In a few weeks, I'll be joining the Xiaomi team in China to help them expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally...I'm really looking forward to this new challenge, and am particularly excited about the opportunity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem."

Bye bye Barra

Google confirmed Barra's departure to AllThingsD before he took to Google+, with a company rep stating, "We'll miss him at Google and we're excited that he is staying within the Android ecosystem."

Google's attitude seems to be: Best of luck Barra, and thanks for staying in the family.

Barra is the most recent high-level Android exec to put in notice. Earlier this year, Andy Rubin, head of Android and developer of the system, stepped down to start "a new chapter" at Google.

As ATD postulated, Barra's exit so soon after Rubin could cause shakiness at Team Android. There's no word yet on a Barra replacement or how his responsibilities will be handled.