Google 4Q earnings rise despite Motorola woes as profit powers stock 5%

Android is now powers more than 500 million mobile devices worldwide, giving it a wide lead over Apple's software for iPhones and iPads. Through September, Apple had shipped about 370 million iPhones and iPads. Apple Inc., which has morphed from a Google ally to bigger rival in the past five years, is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter results after the stock market closes Wednesday.

Although he didn't provide an update on how many Android devices were activated in the latest quarter, Google CEO Larry Page repeatedly emphasized his belief that his company is bound to benefit as the mobile market expands and technology comes up with new ways for advertisers to reach potential customers at the times they are most likely to buy something.

"I am excited about the business and today's multi-screen world,'' Page told analysts during a Tuesday conference call. "The opportunities are endless.''

Google would be doing even better if not for problems at Motorola Mobility, a cellphone pioneer that has been struggling since Apple revolutionized the industry with the release of the iPhone in 2007.

Motorola Mobility suffered an operating loss of $353 million on revenue of $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter.

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