Google has laid off several hundred employees across its Platforms and Devices division, which encompasses key products such as Android, Pixel smartphones, Chrome browser, and other hardware initiatives, Reuters is reporting.
The layoffs are part of an ongoing restructuring effort that began in April 2024, when Google merged its Android and Chrome teams with its hardware units, including Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, under the leadership of Senior Vice President Rick Osterloh.
The consolidation aimed to promote a more cohesive approach to product development. However, the integration also led to overlapping roles, prompting the company to offer voluntary exit packages to U.S.-based employees within the division in January 2025. The recent layoffs are an extension of this initiative.
A Google spokesperson stated, “Since combining the Platforms and Devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively. This included making some job reductions in addition to the voluntary exit program that we offered in January.”
The affected employees span various teams responsible for the development and maintenance of Android OS, Pixel hardware, Chrome browser, and related services. While the company has not disclosed specific numbers, reports indicate that the layoffs involve several hundred positions.
Despite these reductions, Google assures that major product lines and development efforts will continue without noticeable disruption to end-users.
Google has also been reallocating resources to accelerate advancements in AI technologies, including the integration of AI features across its product ecosystem. This shift mirrors industry trends, as other tech giants like Meta and Microsoft have also restructured teams to focus more intensively on AI and cloud services.
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