In Brief

Below is a collection of every In Brief article by The Information.
In Brief

Exclusive: Jawbone To Broaden Wearables Lineup

By Jessica E. Lessin · Nov 3, 2014 5:41pm PST
Jawbone is the latest wearable company to try to go where Apple is not going, with plans for two new activity trackers aimed at the low and mid-tiers. With the $349 Apple Watch hitting shelves next year, Jawbone is set to announce two new fitness trackers soon, according to people briefed on the matter. The news follows wearables announcements... Jawbone is the latest wearable company to try to go where Apple is not going, with plans for two...
In Brief

Google Exec Andy Rubin Leaving Google

By Jessica E. Lessin and Amir Efrati · Oct 30, 2014 5:22pm PDT
Long-time Google exec and former Android boss Andy Rubin told his team today that he’s leaving Google, according to people close to the company.  Mr. Rubin has been working on a slew of secret robotics projects over the past year, after handing over the reins at Android to Sundar Pichai. The precise reason for his departure... Long-time Google exec and former Android boss Andy Rubin told his team today that he’s...
Former Google executive Nikesh Arora. Photo by Bloomberg.
In Brief

Google’s Android Silver Program on Ice

By Amir Efrati · Sep 16, 2014 12:32pm PDT
Google’s expensive plan to turn its Android mobile software into a high end consumer brand on par with Apple’s iPhone is on hold. The program, which is called Android Silver and was reported on in detail by The Information in April, stalled amid the July departure of Nikesh Arora, one its chief architects, according to people... Google’s expensive plan to turn its Android mobile software into a high end consumer brand...
Greg Wyler. Photo by Bloomberg.
Abrupt Exit for Google Satellite Exec
By Jessica E. Lessin and Amir Efrati · Sep 2, 2014 3:35pm PDT
Greg Wyler. Photo by Bloomberg.
In Brief

Abrupt Exit for Google Satellite Exec

By Jessica E. Lessin and Amir Efrati · Sep 2, 2014 3:35pm PDT
One of the leaders of Google's effort to build a constellation of Internet-beaming satellites, Greg Wyler, has left the company, according to two people familiar with the situation. Why the relationship between Mr. Wyler and Google deteriorated just a few months after his hiring couldn’t be learned. Mr. Wyler is well-known in the... One of the leaders of Google's effort to build a constellation of Internet-beaming...
In Brief

Apple Maps Engineer Moving to Uber

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jul 8, 2014 7:39am PDT
Uber has poached Chris Blumenberg, a senior engineering manager who worked on Apple Maps, according to three people familiar with the move. Blumenberg was one of the first engineers to work on the iPhone software and was a senior leader on Apple’s iOS team.  Apple Maps has had some turnover since its very buggy launch in 2012.... Uber has poached Chris Blumenberg, a senior engineering manager who worked on Apple Maps,...