Thomas Daniels
In a significant development, Microsoft is reportedly collaborating with Samsung to challenge Apple’s Vision Pro headset with a new piece of metaverse hardware. This potential move underscores a major trend: five of the ten most valuable companies by market capitalization—Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Nvidia—are currently engaged in developing advanced metaverse gear.
The news of Microsoft’s involvement comes from a South Korean outlet, The Elec, which reports that Microsoft plans to procure hundreds of thousands of OLED panels from Samsung for a device slated for mass production in 2026. According to The Verge, this device will focus on spatial computing rather than traditional virtual reality, distancing itself from the metaverse label. However, as with any display technology, this new hardware will be capable of interfacing with the metaverse, offering a heightened level of immersion through spatial computing.
The Growing Market for Metaverse Hardware
The metaverse, much like the internet, isn’t confined to a single location. Users can access metaverse applications through various screens, ranging from traditional monitors to immersive virtual reality headsets. Contrary to the recent narrative suggesting the decline of the metaverse, the market for metaverse and virtual reality hardware continues to expand.
Marketing confusion and fluctuating definitions of the “metaverse” in recent years have contributed to the perception of its decline. However, the reality points to ongoing growth and investment. Apple is already developing a successor to its Vision Pro, a device utilized by more than half of the Fortune 500 companies. Google, despite past setbacks, is revisiting its partnership with Magic Leap to create a new mixed-reality headset.
Meta, the tech giant that rebranded from Facebook to reflect its metaverse ambitions, continues to invest billions in its metaverse division. Nvidia, a key player in providing the GPUs that power both the graphics and AI essential to the metaverse, stands to benefit as these companies push the boundaries of digital worlds.
Assuming The Elec’s report is accurate, Microsoft’s new project brings the total to five out of the top ten global companies actively developing metaverse hardware, highlighting the continued relevance and growth potential of this emerging technology.
