Google Secures Crunching Deals with HTC to Snag Top-Notch VR Talent

Google Reunites with HTC, Acquires VR Talent to Boost Android XR Platform

In a surprising move, Google has reunited with HTC, its former partner in the Android smartphone division, to acquire some of the Taiwanese company’s extended reality (XR) talent. This deal is reportedly worth $250 million, a significant investment in Google’s quest to accelerate the development of its Android XR platform.

A New Era for Android XR

Google first announced its Android XR platform just a few weeks ago, a new operating system that combines AI with AR and VR. The platform is a collaboration with Samsung, with the first Android XR device, code-named Project Moohan, set to be released by Samsung in 2025.

The HTC Connection

Google has a history with HTC, having acquired its smartphone division for $1.1 billion in 2017. Now, the company is reuniting with HTC’s VR team to accelerate the development of its Android XR platform. The HTC Vive was one of the best VR headsets on the market when it was released, and its more recent release, the HTC Vive Elite XR, showed promise.

A Shift in Focus

Google’s emphasis on more compact, mixed, or extended reality glasses mirrors Meta’s success with its Ray-Ban smart glasses. This shift in focus is likely a response to the growing demand for more wearable, everyday AR and VR technology.

Keeping an Eye on the Competition

Google will also be keeping an eye on Apple’s progress in XR. Apple’s Apple Vision Pro, despite its high price point, failed to gain traction. The company is reportedly switching its attention to a cheaper, more portable set of AR glasses, a move that could challenge Google’s Android XR platform.

A Positive Outcome

With its latest HTC talent raid, Google is hoping for a similar outcome to its previous deal with HTC, which led to improved quality in its Pixel phones. With its Android XR platform on the horizon, Google is poised to make a significant impact in the XR space.

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