Microsoft developing metaverse hardware after deal with Samsung: report

After dominating the tech scene a few years ago, the metaverse seems to have lost some of its initial momentum. Even its most enthusiastic advocates in the tech world now admit that they may have overestimated its short-term impact. However, recent reports suggest that Microsoft might be gearing up to challenge Meta and Apple with new metaverse hardware.

According to South Korean outlet The Elec, Microsoft has struck a deal with Samsung to supply hundreds of thousands of OLED panels. A source from Samsung indicated that these panels are intended for a new device, with mass production slated to begin in 2026.

While neither Samsung nor Microsoft have officially confirmed this new partnership, the source speculates that Microsoft is developing a device to rival Apple’s Vision Pro. Released earlier this year, the $3,500 Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset positioned as a spatial computer, marking Apple’s entry into the metaverse space.

Despite the speculation, The Elec reported that Microsoft’s new device is initially aimed at enhancing experiences like gaming and watching movies, rather than focusing on the metaverse.

Meta has heavily invested in the metaverse and extended reality (XR) through its Quest headsets and related software. However, despite spending hundreds of billions, the company has struggled to make a significant impact and is now cutting back on spending, including laying off staff and reassigning roles.

Microsoft has previous experience in virtual reality (VR). In 2017, it collaborated with PC makers such as Acer to produce the world’s first PC VR headsets and launched the Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) platform. However, Microsoft lost many of its clients to Meta and other competitors over time and discontinued the WMR platform last year.

The company also developed the HoloLens headsets over the past six years, but performance has been lackluster. Microsoft even announced layoffs in this division last year. One of its notable partnerships involved supplying the U.S. Department of Defense with customized HoloLens units, but 80% of soldiers reported experiencing severe nausea, headaches, and eyestrain while using them.

Source >> https://coingeek.com/microsoft-developing-metaverse-hardware-after-deal-with-samsung-report/