Nest is joining Google’s hardware team

Google today announced that it is bringing the Nest and Google Hardware teams together. The teams at both divisions will now work closely together to combine the best of Google in hardware, software, and services for ‘a more thoughtful home.’

Smart home appliance maker Nest, which Google acquired four years ago, has seen an exponential growth, with having sold more number of devices in 2017 than the previous two years combined. Until today, Nest was operating as an Alphabet subsidiary (just like Google), but today’s move will make Nest CEO Marwan Fawaz report directly to Google Hardware chief Rick Osterloh.

In a blog post, Google writes:

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.

Google recently closed its X billion deal with HTC, acquiring a part of HTC for its hardware division. And today’s move makes it clear again that how seriously Google is taking hardware on its part. Nest is now an integral part of Google’s big bet on Hardware, finally.