Google's Restructuring: Over 1,000 Jobs Cut in Voice Assistance and Hardware Teams 📉

Jan 14, 2024

Google's Restructuring: Over 1,000 Jobs Cut in Voice Assistance and Hardware Teams 📉

Google has recently announced a significant restructuring, resulting in the layoff of over 1,000 employees. This move has affected various divisions, including engineering and services, with a notable impact on the teams working on voice-activated Google Assistant and hardware products like Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit.

Key Changes:

  • Voice Assistance & Hardware: The knowledge and information product team, responsible for Google Assistant, is undergoing restructuring. Simultaneously, the Devices and Services PA team, managing Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, also faces changes.

  • Fitbit Founders' Exit: In a notable shift, Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman are leaving Google. This follows Google's acquisition of Fitbit for $2.1 billion in 2019, after which Fitbit products began integrating into Google's lineup.

  • Focus on Core Hardware Engineering: Google is streamlining its hardware efforts, merging previously separate teams working on Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest into one core hardware engineering team.

  • Layoffs in Context: These job cuts are a part of Google's broader strategy to become more efficient. Last year, Google also made cuts in other teams, including Waze, recruiting, and news.

Union's Reaction: The Alphabet Worker Union has criticized the layoffs, calling them "needless" and contrasting them with Google's profitability.

AI Integration in Google Assistant: Google is infusing AI-powered features into the Google Assistant, expanding its capabilities beyond voice. For example, the Assistant can now search through apps like Gmail and Drive to respond to specific queries.

What are the nuggets?

  • Google's restructuring indicates a focus on efficiency and integration, especially in hardware and voice assistance sectors.

  • The exit of Fitbit founders and the merging of hardware teams suggest a more unified approach to Google's product lineup.

  • The integration of advanced AI features into Google Assistant highlights Google's commitment to evolving AI technology in consumer products.

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