Google said cutting back on Pixelbook, Pixel Slate efforts

In a blow to fans of Google’s high-end ChromeOS-based hardware, Business Insider reports that Google has made substantial cutbacks to the team that develops its Pixelbook and Pixel Slate devices. According to sources familiar with the matter, a restructure of the “Create” division has seen dozens of engineers and program managers to seek employment in other areas of Google’s parent company Alphabet. Google hasn’t offered any official comment on the matter or indicated that there are any plans to end either the Pixelbook or Pixel Slate product lines.

However, at least once source said that there was a “bunch of stuff in the works” that may now no longer see the light of day. It is possible that Google may have been working on other related hardware initiatives to fill out its previous product roadmap and may have decided to concentrate solely on a more limited hardware program. Sources have indicated that “roadmap cutbacks” have been made, but there is no indication that the team will completely wound down.

The restructure does not affect the “Pixel” team, which is focused on developing Google’s smartphone efforts. In fact, some of the staff working on Google’s other hardware efforts in the Create team have now joined the Pixel team, according to company insiders. The Pixelbook has been well-received by reviewers, however, many have questioned the value of having such high-performance hardware dedicated to running Chrome OS. Similarly, the Pixel Slate has also been greeted with raised eyebrows along with complaints that its tablet-optimized interface wasn’t ready for the prime time at launch.