To strengthen its hardware offerings, Google acquired HTC Corporation’s employees. Google is acquiring some 2,000 employees from HTC to work on its signature device, Pixel. The deal is expected to close by early 2018. 

Google earlier rested on HTC to manufacture its first Pixel phone. Reportedly, the 2,000 employees who will now become the full-time Googlers were already working with the search giant on smartphones. The deal comes with a non-exclusive licensing agreement for HTC intellectual property which allows HTC will continue making its phones, and building Vive VR products.

Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior Vice President in-charge of Hardware, mentioned in a blog post that, " The HTC deal was a continuation of our big bet on hardware.” He also mentioned, “These future fellow Googlers are amazing folks we’ve already been working closely on the Pixel smartphone line."

On this deal, CEO and Chairwoman Cher Wang was quoted in media saying that this deal will not affect HTC’s smartphone business since they will continue to produce its hardware, including phones in its “U” series (HTC U11 Android smartphone), and Vive virtual reality ecosystem. She added, HTC will invest in next-generation technologies including the Internet of Things, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.

Earlier Google has made a significant purchase by acquiring Motorola Mobility at $12.5 billion. However, Google later sold it to Lenovo at a fraction of the price. Since then, Google has heavily relied on third-party manufacturers on manufacturing its Nexus and Pixel devices.