Google's Android Engineering Director leaves for... Coupons, Inc.
By Nilay Patel 
posted January 20th 2009 7:56PM
posted January 20th 2009 7:56PM
While we're primed and ready for Android to take over the mobile marketplace, it looks like Steve Horowitz, Google's engineering director for the upstart OS, has other thoughts -- he's bailing out for Coupons, Inc. Yep, it's a coupons site. We have no idea why Horowitz thinks a company working on a "digital coupons and promotions platform" is more exciting that leading Android's development, but he's certainly jumped ship before -- he started his career in Apple's Macintosh group before a stint at Be, and prior to taking the reins at Google he was on the teams at Microsoft that shipped Windows Media Center Edition, UltimateTV, and WebTV. We'll be honest, those all sound infinitely more interesting than doling out coupons, but maybe dude just really loves typing in instant savings codes. As for Android, it doesn't sound like Andy Rubin's going anywhere, so we're certain work will continue with nary a hiccup -- or at least we're hoping it does, because we're getting pretty hungry for some Cupcake.[Via Electronista]
Come on kids, it's obvious. The Android platform, which he lead the architecture for, is stable. The vast majority of the interesting engineering work has been over since before the G1 shipped. Now his job is code maintenance and standards compliance. Not exactly exciting. I would seek out a more dynamic job as well.
Clear proof that Google doesn't have a monopoly on intelligence!
Should i just link this to failblog?
he bailed because android is going down. spark the flame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
haha, "...ready for Android to take over the mobile marketplace."
That's fairly hilarious. Apple's got it made. Android is a child's toy that is a joke.
iPhone + App Store -- Nothing can or will compare to it.
Google should stop wasting it's resources trying.
Silly fan-boi, leave the discussion to adults and other people who can actually think. This post has nothing to do with your precious iPhone, so why did you bring it up. Oh that's right, you can't have a conversation without mentioning your new false idol from Cupertino.
Money talks. Come on, isn't that the reason why most people accept job offers? I mean it's not like he's over there saving the world at Coupons, Inc.
@eugene
I know all about non-competes in California. This guy is not a peon. What he got is a negotiated retirement clause. That is, when he left, Google made him this deal: don't work for any competitor for a certain period of time, and we'll give you this large box filled with money. He could have walked away without agreeing and there would be nothing Google could do. But they are likely to have made it worth his while to take the deal.
Coupons on cell phones. It's the next big thing. You just wait and see.
Who is John Galt?
wow! he's really cute!
This is Apple related, despite earlier comments...
Read the full press release here...
http://www.couponsinc.com/corp/source/oc_press.asp
Tuesday, January 28, 2009
COUPONS.COM ACQUIRES GROCERYIQ, APPLE IPHONE'S NUMBER ONE SELLING LIFESTYLE APPLICATION Free Upgrade to Popular Grocery Shopping List Application Will Feature Multi-Store Mobile Coupon Delivery