Mega Microsoft layoffs may have killed off HoloLens for good
A load of cutbacks doesn’t spell out a good XR future for Microsoft
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Microsoftrecently confirmed it would becutting around 5% of its workforceglobally, leading to around 11,000 departures across the company.
At the time, it was uncertain which workers and departments would be most affected, but the Internet has had an entire weekend to unravel the situation and many ex-employees have now exposed detail on the matter.
Among the most notable cuts appear to be Microsoft’s extended reality (XR) operations, closing down or significantly scaling back a number of projects, possibly including its famous Hololens headset.
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Microsoft XR cutbacks 2023
AltSpaceVR, acquired by the company in 2017, is among the worst affected by the cuts, with thearmset to be closed down in March 2023.
Some reports say that Microsoft’s metaverse efforts may continue to live on in its Mesh project, but that all remains to be confirmed.
These are the best VR headsets>Microsoft Teams is going fully virtual with HoloLens 2>The US Army is spending millions on developing a new Microsoft HoloLens headset
Open-source project, MRTK, has also been axed, which could have significant implications for the future of the company’s HoloLens, however its open-source nature lead some to speculate that it may be able to live on in somewhat of a reduced format.
This news joins recent reports that the US Congress had denied a huge $400 million spend on theMicrosoft-built Army-destined ‘IVAS’ HoloLens headset, though the Army is still set to spend a newly-approved $40 million budget on an upgraded version of the headset, following complaints from soldiers about previous versions.
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While the partnership continues to develop, a larger picture painted by the shutdown of several XR operations may spell the future of tech like augmented reality for Microsoft (which, for now at least, is looking a little concerning).
With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!
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