Amazon Forms ZeroOne Team Under Devices Unit, Led by Xbox Co-Founder J Allard
Amazon has established a new team within its devices unit called ZeroOne, which will be led by J Allard, the co-founder of Xbox and former Microsoft executive. According to a report by CNBC, the team is tasked with creating ‘breakthrough’ products that could potentially revolutionize the tech industry.
J Allard, who co-founded Xbox and worked with Microsoft for 19 years, joined Amazon in September 2024 as the vice president of ZeroOne. The team will work on both hardware and software projects, with members located across Seattle, San Francisco, and Sunnyvale, California. The name ZeroOne signifies that the team will be involved in the entire product cycle, from concept to launch.
A job listing for the ZeroOne team revealed that one of the breakthrough products could be a smart home device. The team has job openings for senior roles in applied science, product marketing, and customer insights. The description for the applied science role indicates that the person will be working on ‘a new smart-home product.’
Amazon has assembled a diverse team by drawing on expertise from various divisions, including Alexa, Luna cloud gaming platform, and Halo sleep-tracking device. One of the group’s leaders is the former head of Lightform, a projection mapping startup previously acquired by Amazon.
While establishing the ZeroOne team, Amazon has also undergone restructuring in its Devices and Services unit. Earlier this year, the company laid off 100 employees from this unit, which oversees products like Echo speakers, Alexa, Kindle, and Zoox self-driving cars. The company stated that these layoffs were necessary to align better with its product roadmap and streamline operations.
The formation of the ZeroOne team and the layoffs may be part of Amazon’s strategy to drive innovation and efficiency. With J Allard at the helm, the team is expected to develop groundbreaking products that could shape the future of the tech industry.
