Google lays off hundreds of people from inside its Platform and Devices division

As it said it would do earlier this year, Google has laid off hundreds of employees from its Platforms and Devices division, The Information reported. That part of the company, which employs over 25,000 people, houses its Pixel phones and smartwatches, Nest devices, the Android and ChromeOS platforms and Chrome browser. In January, Google offered buyouts to let them leave as part of a "voluntary exit plan." 

"Since combining the platforms and devices teams last year, we've focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively and this included making some job reductions in addition to the voluntary exit program that we offered in January," a Google spokesperson told The Information.

The Platform and Devices group was formed in April 2024 as a merger of two units, Platforms and Ecosystems and Devices and Services, with SVP Rick Osterloh put in charge. In January, he told employees that the buyouts were available "for those struggling to meet the demands of their role or those unhappy with the company's hybrid work setup." The decision to offer buyouts rather than immediately laying off workers was reportedly prompted by employee complaints over previous layoffs. 

Meta also announced layoffs in January, and tech firms have been steadily laying off workers over the past couple of years. An exception to that has been in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) which has conversely faced a shortage of skilled employees. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-lays-off-hundreds-of-people-from-inside-its-platform-and-devices-division-122328196.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-lays-off-hundreds-of-people-from-inside-its-platform-and-devices-division-122328196.html?src=rss
Created 3mo | Apr 11, 2025, 1:30:20 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

Pick up the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD for only $18 in this Prime Day deal

The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

Jul 7, 2025, 11:50:13 AM | Engadget
US TikTok users may soon have to switch to a new version of the app

ByteDance is said to be building a new, US-only version of the TikTok app that it will release on September 5. According to

Jul 7, 2025, 11:50:12 AM | Engadget
Get two months of Paramount+ Essential or Premium for only $2

It's hot out there, so this might be the perfect time to stay in and binge some TV. Paramount+ is offering one heck of a deal right now for budding couch potatoes,

Jul 7, 2025, 11:50:10 AM | Engadget
Prime Day deals include $50 off one of our favorite Ninja air fryers

For many, summer means it's time to grill outdoors. But cooking inside does at least mean you’re likely to deal with fewer bugs. It also makes it easier to try out new kitchen equipment, such as a

Jul 7, 2025, 9:30:08 AM | Engadget
Playdate Season 2 review: Taria & Como and Black Hole Havoc

We've officially made it to the end of Playdate Season Two, and what a season it's been. Despite having half the number of titles as Season One, this latest round of weekly game releases has made a

Jul 6, 2025, 9:50:18 PM | Engadget
The Stop Killing Games initiative has hit a major milestone, but the fight's just begun

A petition to preserve video game access recently achieved an

Jul 6, 2025, 7:40:16 PM | Engadget