Tech

Google hires Amazon's former hardware boss to lead smartphone efforts: Report

Hours before Google's big October hardware event, The Information reported a key hire for Google's renewed smartphone efforts.

Written by Jake Smith, Contributor Oct. 4, 2016 at 5:16 a.m. PT

Google recently hired David Foster, previously VP of hardware engineering at Amazon, to its hardware division.

More Google

Foster will lead Google's renewed smartphone efforts as VP of product engineering, according to The Information, starting in the position this week.

Foster will report to Rick Osterloh, a former Motorola executive who now leads Google's hardware initiatives. The position hadn't previously been filled.

Google is expected to unveil its Pixel smartphones at a media event on Tuesday in San Francisco, Calif. The Information reported Foster will lead their future development, suggesting expanded hardware efforts.

Foster was responsible for running Lab126 -- Amazon's hardware lab for the Echo, Fire TV, and more.

We have reached out to Google to learn more about Foster's role.