Meta Restructures Reality Labs, Forms New Wearable Devices Group
On June 19, Facebook’s parent company Meta announced a significant reorganization of its hardware division, Reality Labs. This is the largest restructuring since the department was renamed in 2020, reflecting Meta’s evolving strategy to focus more on augmented reality (AR) and the metaverse.
Post-restructuring, Reality Labs will be divided into two main parts:
- The reorganization also involves layoffs, although Meta did not disclose specific numbers. Sources indicate that the layoffs are relatively small, mainly affecting redundant leadership positions due to the new organizational structure.
- Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, explained the rationale behind these changes in an internal memo, emphasizing the company’s commitment to AR and the metaverse.
Future Plans and Investments
Bosworth stated, “We currently have leading AI devices on the market, and we are doubling down on finding strong product-market fit for wearable Meta AI, building businesses around it, and expanding our user base. Our goal remains to seamlessly overlay digital content onto the physical world, but the steps to achieve this have become more exciting.”
The memo also highlighted Meta’s ongoing commitment to Horizon, despite its slow user growth. These changes aim to streamline Reality Labs, previously seen as cumbersome and difficult to manage.
Key Leadership and Next Steps
Key leadership positions have been reassigned, with Alex Himel heading the wearable devices department and Vishal Shah overseeing both Horizon and the Quest series. Meta’s investment in AR remains unwavering, with more details about upcoming AR glasses expected later this year. The next-generation Ray-Ban glasses with displays are anticipated for release next year.
Bosworth concluded in his memo, “The organizational structure is not the main determinant of our success, but execution is. I hope this change reduces operational overhead and brings people from different teams together to look at our customers and how best to serve them from a more unified perspective.”
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