Recent layoffs at Apple involving its spatial computing headset went deeper than earlier reports showed. While initial numbers pointed to around 100 job cuts focused on gaming and immersive video teams, new information reveals that the staffing changes reached across several other departments. The Vision Pro has struggled to find a mass audience, causing internal shifts as the company figures out its next steps.
The staff reductions hit shared software teams amid slow sales
These wider cuts hit teams working on device security, audio engineering, Siri integration, and testing. It also affected people developing visionOS, the platform’s underlying software. Since this software will likely run future smart glasses, the layoffs impact shared projects across multiple product lines rather than just the headset itself.
These changes come during a transitional period for the product group. Earlier this summer, the executive leading the headset division left for a new job. Now, employees are reportedly trying to convince new CEO John Ternus to keep investing in the hardware. Ternus apparently doubted the big and expensive device from the start.
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While the company still plans to release new smart glasses next year, leadership is open to dropping the category altogether if buyer interest remains low. An overhauled successor to the current headset is not expected until at least the end of 2028, meaning the future of these wearables mostly depends on how well the lighter models do in stores.
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