[WDCDev]

This depends on the goal of the projects. If it's pure R&D that doesn't have a requirement to transition to commercial use, then you are absolutely correct. I don't think that's the case here. Some percentage of projects has to transition it's technology or research into commercial use, otherwise what is the point? Google is a publicly traded company, I wouldn't be a happy stockholder if I knew they were blowing $1 billion a year and with very little to show for it.

One thing did jump out at me in this article.

Mike Cassidy, who stepped down from Loon, ran the team “like a fire drill,” a former employee said.

I read this as, "Leadership likes to change its mind about direction and focus ... constantly". That's a recipe for disaster. Focus is key. You need to find the right direction as quick as possible, then execute.

[boto3]

How? Google is not built on fundamental research like Xerox was. It's essentially a consumer company. Yes search and ad tech at scale is hard engineering, but it's the same as the physics of light.