Google has recently made a strategic move by acquiring several engineers from HTC’s XR division for a whopping $250 million. This investment is aimed at boosting the development of the Android XR platform across headsets and glasses, marking a significant step in Google’s journey into extended reality (XR).
Last month, Google announced the launch of Android XR, signaling a pivotal shift in the XR landscape. Samsung is set to lead the charge by being the first to release a headset powered by this platform. While there’s certainly a buzz around this competitive entry, it’s tempered by skepticism stemming from Google’s historical habit of abandoning projects. One can’t help but recall their first major XR initiative, Google Daydream, which was shelved despite initial enthusiasm back in 2016.
In a bid to reinforce their position, Google has entered into an agreement with HTC. Although specifics are scant, it’s likely that Google is seeking to fortify its XR endeavors with HTC’s hardware expertise.
Google expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “After investing in XR technology for over a decade, and more recently introducing the Android XR platform with strategic partners, we are thrilled to bring aboard an exceptional team from HTC VIVE. They have proven themselves in the VR arena, and we’re eager to collaborate with them to fast-track the development of Android XR across various devices.”
Interestingly, this isn’t Google’s first foray into acquiring talent from HTC. Back in 2017, Google invested a hefty $1.1 billion to bring onboard a significant portion of HTC’s smartphone engineering team. This move came just before HTC decided to merge its smartphone and VR divisions, highlighting the company’s growing focus on XR technology.
Despite the acquisition, HTC’s future trajectory appears uncertain. The Taiwanese company, headquartered in Taoyuan, is primarily known for its XR headsets aimed at enterprise users and prosumers. Their latest product, the Vive Focus Vision, is a $1,000 all-in-one mixed reality headset that combines features from previous models like the Vive Focus 3 and Vive Elite XR.
HTC has also ventured into more niche markets, albeit with limited success. In 2018, they introduced the HTC Exodus 1, a blockchain phone, followed by an at-home 5G hub in 2019 to ride the 5G wave. Both products seem to have failed to leave a lasting mark, as they are no longer part of HTC’s offerings. As such, it remains to be seen where HTC will steer its course next.
