Google's Andy Rubin is out at Android: First reactions

Google sent shockwaves through the tech community today when it announced that Andy Rubin was out as Android chief. Chrome's Sundar Pichai will oversee the mobile platform in his stead. Here's what CEO Larry Page said about the move:

The Android co-founder, who first approached Google about a new operating system in 2004, many years before smartphones were the industry standard, was scheduled to speak at the SXSW conference on Sunday, but was suddenly dropped from the bill. Now we know why.

More than a few tech bloggers were surprised, especially considering Android's recent run of success:

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Others were already speculating what's next:

MarketingLand's Danny Sullivan has a different theory: Google simply wants to streamline its competing operating systems.

Read the rest of Page's letter here.