Alphabet merges Nest into Google's hardware team

Alphabet has finally merged it $3.2 billion purchase of Nest into Google's hardware division. Google purchased Nest in 2014 but opted to keep its own independent operation.

The move unifies Google's growing hardware team, which designs smartphones, laptops and speakers, with Nest, which sells security cameras and thermostats that automatically adjust settings based on user behaviour.

Rick Osterloh, who leads Google's hardware efforts, and Nest Chief Executive Marwan Fawaz, said in the blog post that they hoped integration of their teams would "supercharge Nest's mission" to make homes safer, friendlier to the environment and more affordable.

"To build on this momentum, we're excited to bring the Nest and Google Hardware teams together. The goal is to supercharge Nest’s mission: to create a more thoughtful home, one that takes care of the people inside it and the world around it. By working together, we’ll continue to combine hardware, software and services to create a home that’s safer, friendlier to the environment, smarter and even helps you save money—built with Google’s artificial intelligence and the Assistant at the core," Osterloh said.

Rumors of this move had been going around for a few months now, with the first reports popping up back in November of 2017.