Facebook Hires Away Googler Who Led Team Behind Pixel 2’s Pixel Visual Core

When Google announced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL last year, one of the most interesting bits of info about its release was the surprise inclusion of Google’s first in-house chipset called Pixel Visual Core. While it wasn’t the silicon powering the entire device like the latest Snapdragon might, it did give extra powers to the phone’s already impressive camera. Being Google’s first chip, it also had us wondering what the future may be for Google in terms of looking to do their own Snapdragon-like chip.

Those plans, assuming they had any as well as other related chip ideas, might change some with news today that their senior director of engineering, Sha Rabii, has left the company for Facebook. Bloomberg first caught the move and noted that Rabii helped lead the team that built the Pixel Visual Core. He also generally helped with Google’s phones, laptops, Google Home, Nest, AR/VR, and more.

Neither company would comment, but Rabii has updated his LinkedIn profile to show that he has indeed moved on to be Facebook’s VP of silicon.

It’s tough to say how this will impact Google, because I’m sure someone will slot into the new role and work on current projects will continue. As for Facebook, it’s probably a safe bet that Rabii will help with data centers, any AI they have in the works, and VR too.

// Bloomberg