Microsoft Announces that It Is Closing Surface, HoloLens, Xbox and Surface Jobs.

The technology needed to improve Metaverse and the ecosystem that supports it must be advanced. Srinivasamurthy stated that graphics can be improved and the form factors for wearables like augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality headsets (VR) can be improved.

According to The Information, the industrial metaverse unit was established to create software interfaces for control systems of electric power plants, industrial robots, and transportation networks.

According to an IDC report these applications make good use of metaverse and other related technologies. Srinivasamurthy stated that these applications may have seen a slump in customer demand, and that related enterprise projects may have been put on hold.

An analyst sees metaverse potential in enterprises

Other analysts agreed that Microsoft’s metaverse products would be more popular with businesses, specifically in enterprise collaboration. This is in contrast to the consumer market.

Anushree Verma from Gartner tech market research firm said that B2B platforms saw higher adoption when compared to other segments. She also stated that consumers have only used B2B platforms for virtual shopping or gaming.

“But, if we look at enterprise use cases, workforce or new hires training, and employee engagement are the most important use cases in the industry. Verma stated that it is logical to strategize from the enterprise side.

Microsoft’s recent decision to reduce staff in HoloLens as well as its industrial metaverse team is a surprise. This comes just days after Microsoft announced its intention to shut down the AltspaceVR platform. It also pivots its augmented and virtual reality efforts from the enterprise side to the consumer.

Microsoft also brought technology from its metaverse product Mesh into Teams to improve workplace collaboration across multiple devices.

It also stated last month that it used Microsoft Mesh to support of its AR product initiatives at the enterprise level.