What went unannounced was that most of the original team that built Now had departed, many of them just before I/O, according to multiple sources. Some had grown frustrated that the product, born within Android, was shuttered into search inside of Google, they said. And Sundar Pichai, Google’s SVP and incoming CEO, did not prioritize the product as much as Page.
The exits reveal the hiccups Google has incubating new products that reach across multiple units of the tech giant. They also expose some key traits of Pichai’s leadership style – and some of the many hurdles he has ahead as he marshals Google’s core business.
I’m hoping they programmed Easter eggs that would pop up a notification from the CEO’s tray that said:
———————————————————————
“Employee XXXX is leaving Google in 2 Hours and 45 Seconds”
[Picture of green android going off of a cliff]
Where do you want to go?
1. Hell
2. Hand-basket
3. Hell in a hand-basket.