Exclusive: Meta to cut jobs in metaverse silicon division this Wednesday.
Breaking News: Meta to Lay Off Employees in Reality Labs Division
In a major development, Meta, the company behind the metaverse, is planning to lay off employees in its Reality Labs division. The division, which focuses on creating custom silicon, will be affected by the cuts, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Employees were informed of the layoffs through Meta’s internal discussion forum on Tuesday. They will receive notifications about their status with the company by early Wednesday morning.
A Meta spokesperson declined to comment on the plans. The extent of the cuts to the silicon unit, known as Facebook Agile Silicon Team (FAST), is yet to be determined.
If the cuts are significant, they could impact CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious project to build augmented and virtual reality products for the metaverse. This includes the highly anticipated AR glasses that Zuckerberg believes will revolutionize our relationship with technology.
The FAST unit, which currently employs around 600 people, is responsible for developing custom chips that give Meta’s devices a competitive edge in the nascent AR/VR market.
However, Meta has faced challenges in producing chips that can rival those made by external providers. As a result, the company has turned to chipmaker Qualcomm for its current devices.
A restructuring of the FAST unit has been expected since the spring, when Meta hired a new executive to lead the division.
Another chip-making unit within Meta’s infrastructure division, focused on artificial intelligence, has also encountered obstacles. The executive overseeing these efforts recently announced her departure, but Meta has appointed a replacement to continue the work.
Meta is known for its line of mixed reality headsets called Quest and smart glasses developed in collaboration with Ray-Ban. The company recently unveiled new versions of these products at its annual Connect conference.
Additionally, Meta is working on more advanced and sleek AR glasses, along with associated smart watches. These products are expected to be completed next year, although they may not be widely available to consumers initially.
Since November of last year, Meta has already cut around 21,000 jobs as part of its cost-cutting measures. The company has been under pressure to rein in costs and address concerns about the profitability of its Reality Labs division.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
Reporting by Katie Paul Editing by Kenneth Li, Nick Zieminski and Rosalba O’Brien
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How has Meta’s FAST unit contributed to its competitiveness in the AR/VR market and what impact could the restructuring of this unit have on Meta’s future performance?
Down its workforce by more than 10%, with the majority of the cuts in its Reality Labs division. The layoffs were part of an effort to realign its resources and focus on key areas of growth, including the metaverse.
The metaverse, a virtual reality space where users can interact with each other and digital objects, is shaping up to be the next frontier in technology. Companies like Meta are investing heavily in developing the infrastructure and tools necessary to support this new digital realm.
However, the layoffs in the Reality Labs division raise questions about Meta’s ability to deliver on its ambitious vision. The division, responsible for developing custom silicon, plays a crucial role in Meta’s ability to create cutting-edge AR and VR products.
If the cuts are significant, it could delay the development of Meta’s highly anticipated AR glasses, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes will revolutionize the way we interact with technology. These glasses, when released, are expected to provide users with a seamless blend of the physical and digital worlds, enhancing their everyday experiences.
The FAST unit, with its 600 employees, has been instrumental in giving Meta’s devices a competitive edge in the nascent AR/VR market. Developing custom chips allows Meta to optimize its devices’ performance and deliver a more immersive user experience. However, Meta has faced challenges in producing chips that can rival those made by external providers, leading them to rely on chipmaker Qualcomm for their current devices.
The restructuring of the FAST unit has been anticipated since spring, when Meta brought in a new executive to lead the division. This move was seen as a step towards optimizing the unit’s operations and overcoming the hurdles it had been facing.
In addition to the Reality Labs division, another chip-making unit within Meta focused on artificial intelligence has also encountered obstacles. Despite the departure of the executive overseeing these efforts, Meta has appointed a replacement to ensure the work continues.
Meta is known for its line of mixed reality headsets called Quest and its collaboration with Ray-Ban in developing smart glasses. The company recently unveiled new versions of these products at its annual Connect conference, showcasing its commitment to advancing the AR/VR technology.
Looking ahead, Meta is working on even more advanced AR glasses and associated smartwatches, which are expected to be completed next year. These products are anticipated to further bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds, allowing users to seamlessly interact with the metaverse.
While the layoffs in the Reality Labs division may raise concerns, it is important to remember that restructuring and realigning resources are common in the tech industry. Meta remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of augmented and virtual reality technologies and delivering innovative products to consumers.
As the metaverse continues to evolve, Meta will likely face further challenges and opportunities. The company’s ability to navigate these obstacles and adapt to the changing landscape will determine its success in shaping the future of technology.
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