After the announcement of widespread layoffs over the weekend, Meta also begins to cut back on various hardware projects it was engaged in to immediately reduce expenses. According to the reports, it is cutting into the flesh of the smart screens, and also the watch that was supposed to be released during the next year.
According to Reuters, Meta will no longer develop smart screens from the Portal series that were mainly used for quick access to multi-participant video calls via the social network Facebook (Facebook), WhatsApp (Whatsapp) or Zoom (Zoom). In addition, it allows you to watch videos, use a voice assistant and more.
The company launched the first Portal screen back in 2018 and since then it has introduced several more models in sizes ranging from 10 to 15 inches, with the aim of fitting into the home without standing out too much. A slightly different product is the Portal TV which is a kind of independent camera that allows you to make video calls using the TV screen.
Regarding the watches, there have been rumors for a long time, when according to the latest reports, this is also a solution for video calls while moving. Codenamed Milan, the watch had a pair of cameras, a 5-megapixel one at the edge of the screen for video calls and a 12-megapixel one located on the outside for taking photos.
Now with the cancellation of these projects, it is likely that the hardware team will continue to focus on the field of virtual reality helmets under the Oculus brand, or that, like many others in the company, he will also be fired.