Apple is eliminating more than 200 jobs, specifically targeting the teams responsible for the Vision Pro headset and the Siri digital assistant. According to Bloomberg, the cuts involve "largely shutting down" a Vision Pro gaming team and reducing the headcount of the group focused on creating immersive content for the platform.
Strategic Adjustments for Vision Pro
The Vision Pro launched in early 2024 as Apple's ambitious entry into "spatial computing." However, the $3,499 device has reportedly struggled to find widespread market appeal. While there are reports of a lighter successor featuring an M5 chip, other accounts suggest Apple has suspended work with Samsung Display on a more affordable, entry-level XR machine.
Pivoting to Smart Glasses and AI Siri
Following the market success of Meta’s smart glasses, Apple is reportedly shifting its focus toward developing its own wearable eyewear. The company plans to announce these smart glasses at WWDC in 2027, with a launch targeted for the end of that year. Meanwhile, the layoffs also impact the Siri division, despite the recent debut of a revamped, AI-powered version of the assistant, which is scheduled for beta release later this year.
In a statement to Bloomberg, Apple framed the layoffs as a move to "evolve our business to deliver the best experiences for our users," adding that the company will also be creating new roles as part of this restructuring.
