Google has axed its next-generation Pixelbook project and disbanded the team responsible for building the new laptop, according to a person familiar with the matter. A long-term development project, the Pixelbook was expected to debut next year. A few months ago, Google also planned to move forward with the product line. However, as part of recent cost-cutting measures, the people involved have reportedly been reassigned elsewhere within the company.
Pixelbook Go file photo
In an interview with TheVerge ahead of the annual I/O developer conference, Google hardware chief Rick Osterloh said he would still build the Pixelbook.
But he also acknowledged that the Chromebook market has changed quite a bit since the first Pixelbook was launched in 2017.
The upside is that such devices have become quite mature and you can expect them to last for quite some time.
Meanwhile, the ChromeOS market may have become less dependent on Google than it once was.
For months, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has repeatedly reiterated the company’s intention to slow down hiring and cut back on some programs across the company.
"In a July memo, he wrote that in some cases, that meant Google needed to consolidate overlapping investments and streamline processes. Other cases involve suspending development and redeploying resources to higher priority areas -- and the Pixelbook team, which was axed in the latest revelations, is clearly in the crosshairs of this round of consolidation and redeployment."
Google communications manager, Laura Breen, explained to TheVerge that
"Google will not share information about future product plans or personnel, but will continue to work to build and support a range of innovative products that will help users. However, the company will work to transition team members across devices and services as priorities are identified for implementation."
