Google exec Rick Osterloh
The former Motorola executive made his first public appearance as Google's hardware guru on Tuesday at the company's big product launch.
"We believe the next big innovation is going to take place at the intersection between hardware and software with AI at the center of it," Osterloh told the crowd, using a line that many noted was very reminiscent of Apple founder Steve Jobs' famous phrase about designing products at the intersection of technology and liberal arts.
Osterloh's job won't be easy of course, and Google has a lot to prove. The company has experienced several high-profile setbacks in its hardware ambitions over the years, not least of which was its acquisition and subsequent divestiture of the Motorola phone business.
But Osterloh insisted that Google is serious this time.
"This is a natural step and we're in it fot the long run," he said.
"You're going to hear much more from our team in the coming months and years to come," Osterloh promised.