Google reorganizes its hardware team: it will abandon its own AR hardware and move to an OEM model

googleThe recent announcement of the reorganization of its Devices and Services team marks a strategic realignment of the tech giant in the hardware space. According to the announcement, Google will no longer develop its own augmented reality (AR) hardware, instead moving to a model of working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

In this reorganization, Google will adopt a functional organizational model, integrating the teams responsible for hardware engineering for Pixel, Nest and Fitbit. This change means that all hardware product development will be handled by a single leadership team to better coordinate and optimize resources.

It's worth noting that Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, along with other Fitbit leaders, are leaving Google in this reorganization. This is a further indication that Google will be focusing more on its own hardware strategy, and the partnership with Fitbit may change.

For this reorganization and strategic change, industry insiders see this as a major shift for Google in the augmented reality hardware space. Previously, Google has been developing its own augmented reality hardware devices, but this reorganization indicates that the company will abandon this strategy and instead work with OEMs. This strategic reorganization may be due to changes in market competition and technological development.

By working with OEMs, Google can focus more on the development of software and technology, while leveraging the hardware manufacturing capabilities of its partners to rapidly iterate its products. In addition, with the continuous development of AR technology, the market demand is also changing, and cooperation with OEMs will also help Google better meet the market demand.

However, this strategic realignment also poses some challenges. Partnering with OEMs may lead to a weakening of Google's control over its hardware products, while competition among partners may also have an impact on Google's interests. In addition, with the layoffs in the hardware team, Google needs to properly handle the issue of employee resettlement and ensure team stability and business continuity.

Google's hardware strategy adjustment reflects the development trend of the technology industry and the market competition pattern. By cooperating with OEMs, Google can better respond to market changes and technological innovation, while optimizing resource allocation and enhancing the competitiveness of its hardware products. However, this strategic adjustment also needs to be continuously adjusted and improved in practice to achieve long-term sustainable development.