Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, has reportedly laid off hundreds of employees from its Platforms and Devices division. This division oversees some of Google’s flagship products, including Android, Pixel smartphones, and the Chrome browser. The report, originally published by The Information, highlights the tech giant’s latest move in a series of strategic realignments aimed at streamlining operations and boosting efficiency.
The layoffs follow Google’s earlier offer of voluntary buyouts to employees in the same unit back in January 2025. While the company has not officially confirmed the exact number of job cuts, a spokesperson acknowledged the downsizing. According to the statement, the layoffs were part of a broader effort to consolidate teams and “operate more effectively” after merging its platforms and devices groups in 2024.
This development comes as the entire tech industry is undergoing a shift in priorities. Big Tech firms like Google, Meta, and Microsoft are increasingly redirecting their investments toward artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers. These areas are viewed as the future of technology, while consumer hardware and software divisions are seeing reduced funding and, consequently, workforce reductions.
Meta, for instance, let go of about 5% of its workforce earlier this year, primarily targeting employees rated as “lowest performers.” However, it simultaneously ramped up hiring in AI and machine learning roles. Microsoft followed suit by trimming 650 jobs from its Xbox division in September 2024. Similarly, Amazon and Apple have executed layoffs across various departments, including communications and digital services.
Google has been quietly cutting down across multiple business units. In February 2025, Bloomberg reported layoffs within Google’s cloud division, though the impact was limited to a few teams. These successive layoffs paint a clear picture: even the most profitable tech companies are making tough choices to stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry.
The current layoffs also reflect a broader reality in Silicon Valley—survival now hinges on innovation in AI, not just maintaining legacy platforms. While Android and Pixel remain important, the resources and talent are increasingly being funneled into areas that promise long-term growth and relevance.
It’s worth noting that in January 2023, Google had already announced a massive layoff of 12,000 employees—about 6% of its global workforce. These continued cuts suggest a long-term trend, not just short-term belt-tightening.
As Google pivots its focus, the future of its legacy products like Android and Pixel remains uncertain. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for these once-groundbreaking projects, or just a reshaping of the workforce to fit a new tech era?
