Google gets China OK to buy Motorola

Authorities in China have approved Google's bid to buy phone maker Motorola Mobility, clearing the way for the $12.5 billion deal to close soon. But Chinese regulators attached a big condition: That Google's Android operating system for mobile devices remain available to all at no cost for the next five years. The approval brings the Internet search giant closer to sealing its biggest acquisition ever. Buying Motorola allows Google to expand into manufacturing phones, tablet computers and other consumer devices for the first time. The deal also gives Google access to more than 17,000 Motorola patents.