The tech giant Apple has made significant layoffs in its Vision Pro and Siri teams as it shifts focus to smart glasses and next-gen AI technology. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company has let go of around 200 workers, with 100 cuts in the Vision Pro division and another 100 in the Siri and software divisions.

Source: engadget.com

Focus on Smart Glasses and Next-Gen AI

Apple has been shifting its focus towards smart glasses and next-gen AI technology, and the layoffs are a direct result of this change in strategy. The company has acknowledged that it is making cuts and realigning teams based on a changing product mix.

“While we will create new roles as part of this change, it will also impact a limited number of existing roles,” Apple said in a statement. “We are grateful to these team members for their contributions, and we are committed to supporting them throughout their transition, including opportunities to apply for other roles at Apple.”

Layoffs in Vision Pro Division

The Vision Pro layoffs are primarily focused on teams working on gaming and immersive video. The high cost of producing such content has been deemed not justified, given the limited number of Vision Pro users. The headset has failed to gain popularity due to its high price of $3,699 and cumbersome user experience.

Apple has reportedly shelved a successor to the Vision Pro and is working on Meta-like AI glasses instead. The company’s VP in charge of the Vision Pro recently left for OpenAI, and Apple has pulled teams away from the Vision Pro to work on its rumored AR glasses.

Shift to New Siri AI System

The Siri cuts are aimed at teams working on the old version of the Siri assistant, as the new Siri AI system requires personnel with a different type of expertise. Apple is shifting away from the Siri of old into the new LLM-based Siri AI that arrived with iOS 17.

Despite the layoffs, Apple has assured employees that the Vision Pro and its VisionOS operating system are not going away. The company still plans to release a new model as early as 2028.

Engadget has reached out to Apple for comment, but the company has not responded yet.

The news of the layoffs comes as a surprise to no one, given the rumors of Apple shelving the successor to the Vision Pro. However, the extent of the layoffs and the impact on the company’s product strategy remain to be seen.