Following the launch of WWDC and AWE 2024 this week, reports have emerged showing that both Apple and Meta may be taking critical steps and restructuring methods to top the XR mountain.
Moreover, as 2024 continues, more major technology vendors are entering the device marketplace. While it seems that the space is conquered by leading firms—such as Meta, Apple, HTC VIVE, Lenovo, Varjo, and countless others—this perception may quickly change towards the new year.
Apple and Meta are aware of this period of shifting. This week, they showcased that both firms had revealed notable alterations to their headset distribution operations to reflect modern market shifts.
Meta Restructures Reality Labs, Axes Staff
This week, Meta CTO Andrew “Boz” Bosworth announced that Meta has restrung its Reality Labs division and is axing staff to optimise its hardware ambitions.
The CTO revealed that the division is planning to undergo its most significant restructuring since Reality Labs’ inception in 2020. In the future, the immersive solutions division will be divided into two core operational groups.
One of the groups includes a Metaverse organization which plans to relaunch the technology promise by leveraging hardware such as the Quest headset line.
The other group is the upcoming Wearable division. In this division, Reality Labs will focus on broadening and refining its broader hardware portfolio, including its smart glasses product Meta, created alongside Ray-Ban.
Despite the restructuring seemingly being a positive move forward for Meta, which is constantly moving forward with new XR solutions, the firm is facing layoffs. Meta does not confirm the number; however, the layoffs are not out of place, and the firm drops staff each year.
However, the news comes after Meta’s LG partnership came to a halt. In the coming months leading into Connect 2024, the series of international decisions and restrictions may unify to translate a clear vision for the firm’s future.
Next Apple Vision Pro Model Delayed
The news of Meta’s reorganisation comes as Apple also faces rumours of delays to its following Vision Pro product.
According to the suppliers of its Vision Pro components, Apple is informing them that the firm plans to suspend production of the next Vision Pro model.
Apple initially planned to debut a cheaper version of the Vision Pro with fewer features. However, according to recent news, Apple is slowing down on its plans.
Despite delays, it appears that Apple is planning to debut the lite Vsion Pro in late 2025. The news follows WWDC when Apple debuted new regional availability and enterprise APIs. In the future, a more flexible entry-level spatial computing device will likely debut to increase the user base following the device’s debut years.
