Microsoft recently made headlines with its announcement to lay off approximately 10,000 employees globally. The process has already begun, but many employees are still in the process of receiving letters regarding their status at the company. As per a report by Bloomberg, Microsoft is now targeting its hardware divisions such as HoloLens, Surface, and Xbox. This news has raised questions about the future of the third-generation HoloLens mixed-reality headsets. The US Congress had earlier rejected the army’s request to buy up to 6,900 Microsoft HoloLens combat goggles worth $400 million.
A spokesperson from Microsoft confirmed the layoffs and stated that there will be no changes to HoloLens 2 or the company’s commitment to mixed reality. However, this news has come as a shock to many former employees of HoloLens, including Kristian Davila who took to LinkedIn to express his disappointment. In his post, Davila stated that many of his colleagues, including himself, had lost their jobs. This news has come as a major disappointment for those who have dedicated a significant part of their careers to the company and its projects.
It is crucial for Microsoft to provide clear communication and support to the affected employees during this transition period. The company has a responsibility to help these workers find new employment opportunities and provide them with the necessary resources to do so. The impact of these layoffs will be felt not just by the employees but also by their families, communities, and the tech industry as a whole.