Merger of Android and Pixel teams may be good news for Samsung... or it may not

This could be good or bad news for Samsung and other Android OEMs, depending on what Google does next.

Google: Android and Hardware teams will help it bring better features faster

This new team within Alphabet is now called Platforms and Devices and is headed by Rick Osterloh. It will develop software for the Android ecosystem and Google's hardware products.

Earlier, Google maintained a distance between Android and Pixel products so that Android could be seen as a neutral OS for all brands. This meant that Google's Pixel team wouldn't have the upper hand compared to other smartphone OEMs. That distance is no longer present now that Google's Android and Hardware teams are being merged.

Should Samsung be worried about that? Apparently not.

Google says its partner brands (like Honor, OnePlus, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi) shouldn't worry. The company says the merger should be seen as a positive, as the Android ecosystem can now develop things faster. Rick Osterloh met with Samsung MX CEO TM Roh recently and claimed the companies' relationship has never been stronger.

In an interview with TheVerge, Rick Osterloh and Hiroshi Lockheimer (the previous head of Android, Chrome, and ChromeOS) revealed that they have been discussing this merger with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai for over two years. He said consolidating teams “helps us to be able to do full-stack innovation when that's necessary.” He also said that with this merger, it can now bring AI to all its products faster.

Can we trust Google to follow through, though?

Google recently brought some of its features (Circle to Search and Wear OS) to Samsung first and then to Pixel devices. This move could be a way for Google to stop OEMs from worrying. However, we will have to wait and watch if Google will stick to its promise, because of how many good products Google has killed over the years (check Google Graveyard), including the nifty little Chromecast.

If Google follows through with its promise, the Android ecosystem will improve greatly. The company has streamlined many of its platforms and services over the past few years. In collaboration with Samsung, it improved Google Home, Nearby Share, and Wear OS. However, it has also ruined many products, including Fitbit and Nest, and many of us know how quickly Google throws in the towel sometimes (looking at you, Stadia).

If Google doesn't follow through, it could be disastrous for Samsung and Android OEMs in general as Pixel devices would get preference over others when new features are introduced to Android. Hopefully, Samsung will keep a close eye on Google and the approach it will be taking in the future following the merger.