In a not-so-surprising move, Meta Platforms is gearing up to part ways with some of its employees in the Reality Labs division, which has been going all-in on the metaverse.
If you haven’t heard yet, this division is all about crafting custom silicon, and we’ve got the inside scoop that is happening tomorrow, folks!
So, here’s the deal – a couple of chatty insiders spilled the beans to Reuters on Tuesday, letting them know that Meta is about to drop the axe on some of its Reality Labs crew.
If you’re wondering how the employees found out about this sudden shakeup, it turns out that Meta broke the news via their internal discussion forum called Workplace, which is kind of like your office’s gossip corner.
The message on Workplace spilled the beans that the employees will be getting their pink slips in the early hours of Wednesday. Talk about a wake-up call!
Tight Lips and Loose Ends
Now, we tried to get the lowdown from Meta’s official spokesperson, but they played it cool and didn’t want to comment on the whole situation.
Our investigative skills couldn’t quite pin down how many people are getting the boot from the silicon unit, better known as the Facebook Agile Silicon Team or FAST. So, it’s all a bit hush-hush for now.
Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Dream at Stake
But here’s where it gets interesting. If the layoffs are as deep as some are whispering, it might just throw a wrench into Mark Zuckerberg’s grand metaverse plans.
You see, he’s been dreaming big about augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) products that will give us access to a world of immersive virtual realms, which he likes to call the “metaverse.”
The crown jewel in this treasure trove of tech? AR glasses could revolutionize how we interact with gadgets. Zuckerberg promised that these specs would “redefine our relationship with technology.”
FAST Unit: The Tech Wizards Behind the Curtain
The FAST unit, a group of around 600 tech wizards, has been working their magic to create custom chips for Meta’s devices.
These chips are designed to make Meta’s gadgets perform unique tasks with pizzazz and efficiency, setting them apart from the competition in the budding AR/VR market.
But here’s the catch. Meta hasn’t been having the smoothest ride in the chip-making department.
Their in-house silicon couldn’t quite measure up to the external competition, so they turned to Qualcomm to whip up chips for their current gadgets. It’s like they ordered takeout instead of cooking at home.
Spring Cleaning for FAST
Rumors of a FAST unit makeover have been buzzing since spring. Meta even brought in a new executive to give it a facelift. But now, it seems like the time has come for some serious changes.
Not only is the FAST unit facing a revamp, but Meta’s AI-focused chip-making squad has also hit a few roadblocks.
The executive in charge of these endeavors made a quick exit just last week. But don’t worry, Meta isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. They’ve already passed the torch to someone new who’s ready to keep the AI chip fire burning.
Meta’s Mixed Reality Headsets and Smart Glasses
Now, let’s take a breather from all the corporate drama. Meta has been keeping busy with their mixed reality headsets, the Quest lineup.
They’ve even teamed up with Ray-Ban eyeglass maker EssilorLuxottica to create smart glasses that can do all sorts of fancy stuff like streaming videos and chatting with wearers through a snazzy AI virtual assistant.
New Toys on the Horizon
But wait, there’s more! Meta recently dropped some exciting news at their annual Connect conference.
They’re cooking up new versions of the smart glasses and introducing the Quest 3, a consumer-oriented headset that’s sure to turn heads.
And hold on to your hats because Meta isn’t stopping there. They’re also tinkering away with sleeker, more inconspicuous AR glasses that look like your regular specs.
To sweeten the deal, they’re throwing in some smartwatches too. It’s like a tech fashion makeover!
Now, don’t get too antsy. These fancy AR glasses won’t hit the market right away. The word on the street is that Meta plans to take it slow, with the first version expected to roll out next year.
But they’re keeping it exclusive, so you might have to wait a bit longer to get your hands on them.
Meta’s Battle with Budgets
Okay, back to business. Meta has been trimming the fat in a big way. Since last November, they’ve waved goodbye to a whopping 21,000 employees.
Why, you ask? Well, they’re trying to reassure investors that they’ve got a handle on their spending as revenue growth starts to dwindle, inflation creeps up, and the Reality Labs division seems to be draining the bank.
What Zuckerberg Promised in March
Remember back in March when Mark Zuckerberg spilled the beans about all these layoffs?
He said most of the chopping would happen in the spring, but in some cases, it might drag on until the end of the year. It seems like he wasn’t kidding, and the changes are still unfolding.
So there you have it, folks. Meta’s Reality Labs division is about to get a makeover, and it could shake things up in the world of AR/VR and the metaverse.
But fear not, Meta isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. They’ve got big plans for the future, and we’ll be watching closely to see how it all unfolds.