This impacted far more orgs including Maps/Search in addition to HW, AR, and Voice.
I can confirm this.
does Google have a hiring freeze right now?
Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
31–40 of 110 posts
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is there a good explanation for why Google started Pixel Watch when they already had FitBit? I would have understood a rebranding of FitBit to Pixel Watch, but it seems like that's not what happened.
I'm sure Pixel Watch as a project predates the acquisition. Garden variety corporate turf war.
Correct-ish (that's public record so I don't feel bad saying it), but you all are underestimating the ability to level up a hardware division instantly with the kind of expertise Fitbit had, and brand name. Pixel Watch doesn't happen without Fitbit.
Here, they seem to be just trimming the people up top, which I deeply support. These are millionaires
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is there a good explanation for why Google started Pixel Watch when they already had FitBit? I would have understood a rebranding of FitBit to Pixel Watch, but it seems like that's not what happened.
Not the entire answer but apparently Pixel watch massively outperformed Fitbit as of late: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/pixel-watch-sales-po...
Even so, if my wife's fitbit dies she'll get a Garmin watch despite the fact she's an Android user. Google will eventually drop support of their watches too. The company is just too fickle to trust.
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#34Man I was hoping 2024 would look nicer for the job market but it looks like the trend is not stopping
Yeah, several layoff announcements here today.
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#35Useless C-level executives focusing on short term gains from RIFs rather than innovating. G is just a shadow of it’s former self. I can’t wait for the great G disruption
Overall probably a good thing for the rest of us having all this talent starting new companies.
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#36I bet they'll rehire like crazy in AR once the Apple Vision Pro is a success. I miss when Google had vision instead of trend following lazily
Get rid of Sundar.
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#37It’s amazing how much the industry leaders just copy each other. Google didn’t throw the towel in until Amazon did first.
I'm fairly certain this one has been in the works and isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. The fact that we didn't get our comp letters in December (like in 2022 before the big 2023 one) was a dead giveaway.
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#38Confirms that rest and vest was a zero interest rate phenomenon.
Re: Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams
#39Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is there a good explanation for why Google started Pixel Watch when they already had FitBit? I would have understood a rebranding of FitBit to Pixel Watch, but it seems like that's not what happened.
Not the entire answer but apparently Pixel watch massively outperformed Fitbit as of late: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/pixel-watch-sales-po...
Was this before or after they stopped the sales of Fitbit gear in most countries?