The recent layoffs at Microsoft have effectively killed off any mixed reality projects the company had in the works. According to a report by Apple Insider, the layoffs have resulted in the loss of several key team members who were working on mixed reality projects. This is a major blow to the future of mixed reality technology, as Microsoft had been one of the leading companies in the field.
One interesting aside is that the layoffs come just a few months after Microsoft acquired AltspaceVR, a virtual reality social platform. This acquisition was seen as a major move by Microsoft to enter the virtual reality market, and now it seems that the company has decided to pull back from that endeavor. AltspaceVR is closing its doors entirely, the entire team having been laid off and the company ending entirely in March 2023, less than a couple months from now.
Another aspect of this news is the future of Hololens, Microsoft’s own mixed reality headset. The company had been investing heavily in the development of Hololens, but now it is unclear what the future holds for the device. With the loss of key team members and the decision to pull back from mixed reality projects, as well as the loss of a major deal with the military for use of Hololens, it is likely that the development roadmap of Hololens will be significantly impacted.
These are trying times for those of us who believe in VR, but this news brings to mind the classic quote “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” It seems that Microsoft’s plans for mixed reality have gone awry, but hopefully, the company will find a way to get back on track. We can just stay optimistic and continue to believe in the technology.
Overall, the layoffs at Microsoft are a major setback for the future of mixed reality technology. The loss of key team members and the decision to pull back from mixed reality projects will likely have a significant impact on the development of Hololens and other mixed reality devices. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft adapts to this change and if they are able to regain their footing in the mixed reality market.