I don't know anyone involved in this but based on the data given this is really just an acqui-hire so it's expected that they do that. They just buy the tech to

I don't know anyone involved in this but based on the data given this is really just an acqui-hire so it's expected that they do that. They just buy the tech to be on the safe-side and will just store the source code somewhere and never use it again. Google hopes to get something out of the talent in the company but is likely very clueless and will waste their time in the end. They will filter bad people out but you'll still get slimmed down version of a normal interview with more flexible standards. So a much higher percentage of the interviewees will make it through the process. I really don't get why we have these 'failures' always in the news and spin them as a successful exit (it's really just run out of money or have no hope of getting anywhere and that's why we want to sell). I went through it myself and you'll likely get some nice title at a nice company and a great stock packages but otherwise it's wasted time besides looking nice in your CV. For the company itself it just means it was a failure (could still mean nice tech but they would have went nowhere).