All it took was $1.1 billion for a part of HTC to be a part of Google The idea that Google would purchase at least part of Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC was something that cropped up in the rumor mill from time to time, but it was also something that hit overdrive not too long ago . That notion is no longer a rumor as Google officially announced that it has purchased HTC’s “Powered by HTC” research and development division for $1.1 billion. It wasn’t a particularly small division, either — Powered by HTC comprised half of HTC’s overall R&D team, which makes sense given that the division was in charge of Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL . The deal also gives Google a non-exclusive license for HTC’s intellectual property, which will surely come in handy with future devices. Counter to previous reports, however, the $1.1 billion deal does not mean that HTC will exit the smartphone market. Ac...