Alphabet’s Google has laid off hundreds of employees from its Platforms and Devices unit, affecting the teams responsible for Android software, Pixel smartphones, and the Chrome browser. The Information was reported on Friday, citing a person with direct knowledge of the situation.

The layoffs come after Google merged its Android and Chrome teams with its hardware division under Senior Vice President Rick Osterloh in April 2024. The combined unit, with over 20,000 employees at the time, aimed to streamline operations and integrate artificial intelligence more effectively across products. A Google spokesperson stated that the layoffs were intended to make the division “more nimble and operate more effectively,” building on the earlier buyout program.

This reduction aligns with broader cost-cutting measures at Google, driven by new CFO Anat Ashkenazi’s focus on efficiency as the company ramps up AI infrastructure investments. The Platforms and Devices unit, which also includes Google Photos, Google One, Fitbit, and Nest, has faced scrutiny for slower growth compared to Google’s core search and cloud businesses.

The tech industry has seen similar workforce adjustments in 2025, with companies like Microsoft also reportedly planning cuts. Google’s layoffs reflect a strategic pivot to prioritize high-growth areas like AI, though the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed.