Page had wanted to focus on developing those newer businesses, which collectively lose money, while leaving Alphabet's biggest and most profitable unit, Google, for Pichai to oversee. But Page and Brin, once regular sights at public events and at Google headquarters, are now seen much less often. Page's voice has been impaired for years because of health issues, but his condition did not play a role in the decision to step aside, Alphabet said. "With Alphabet now well-established, and Google and the Other Bets operating effectively as independent companies, it’s the natural time to simplify our management structure," the co-founders said. "We are deeply committed to Google and Alphabet for the long term."

Source: Otago Daily Times December 03, 2019 22:18 UTC