Motorola reports an $80m loss

US PHONE MAKER Motorola has reported an $80m loss for the fourth quarter of 2011 after selling a mere 200,000 tablets during the period.

The firm reported revenue of $3.44bn in the fourth quarter, flat on the $3.43bn it reported a year earlier. Full year revenue was $13 billion, up from $11.5bn in 2010. The loss on the year was $249m, from $86m a year earlier.

Overall shipments were 10.5 million phones and tablets in the quarter ended 30 December 2011, down from 11.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company shipped a total of 42.4 million mobile devices in the year, up from 37.3 million in 2010.

This included 5.3 million smartphones during the quarter and 18.7 million smartphones for the year. Motorola sold one million tablets in 2011.

"In the fourth quarter, we received very positive consumer response to Motorola Razr, which combined an iconic brand with ultra-thin in an innovative smartphone. Our Home business continues to be a leader in the industry's transformation to all IP, with unique solutions that enable rich media experiences across any screen," said Sanjay Jha, chairman and CEO of Motorola Mobility.

Last year Google said it planned to buy Motorola, pending regulatory approval. Jha added, "We remain energised by the proposed merger with Google and continue to focus on creating innovative technologies."

The company expects its sale to Google to close in early 2012 "once all conditions have been satisfied".

In a cautionary note, Motorola added that it "reminds stockholders that it is possible that the failure to timely meet such conditions or other factors outside of the Company's control could delay or prevent completion of the transaction altogether". µ