Google Australia chief turns to mobiles

Google will have a new managing director for Australia and New Zealand from October after Karim Temsamani left for a position at the search and advertising giant's California headquarters.

Temsamani (pictured on the left with Sensis' Bruce Akhurst) was to lead the "development of Google's global mobile ads strategy" and build its mobile business.

Google said that 200,000 Android-powered devices were being activated every day.

The platform was gaining traction in Australia as Optus revealed recently it was discussing with Google its roadmap for Android just months after introducing the first round of smartphones including Samsung's Galaxy S device.

A Google Australia spokesman highlighted its growth under Temsamani and said it hoped to announce his replacement "soon".