Apple is reportedly scaling back parts of its virtual reality and spatial-computing operations, with more than 60 employees linked to the company’s Vision efforts said to have been affected by layoffs. The development could mark another sign of a broader shift in Apple’s priorities as it explores AI-powered wearable devices.

AppleInsider reports that Apple “has just laid off an entire team dedicated to VR development,” with at least 60 workers reportedly impacted. The company has not publicly confirmed the reported job cuts or commented on the matter.

The latest development adds to questions surrounding Apple’s long-term strategy for Vision Pro and its spatial-computing platform, particularly after the company reorganised the team responsible for the product and related technologies.

According to AppleInsider, the reported layoffs involve employees associated with Apple’s VR operations, including members of the Apple Vision Group and people working in related roles.

The reported reduction follows a major organisational change that Apple made more than a year ago. Bloomberg had previously reported that the Vision Products Group (VPG), which had brought together teams working on Vision hardware and software, was broken up.

The report said that employees from the group were moved into Apple’s wider hardware and software engineering divisions. Mike Rockwell, who had previously overseen the Vision Products Group, was also moved into a key role overseeing the company’s Siri revamp.

Despite the restructuring, Apple has continued to signal that spatial computing remains part of its longer-term product strategy.

Apple Still Says Spatial Computing Is A Priority

The reported layoffs come just months after Apple executive Steve Sinclair pushed back against speculation that the company had effectively shelved Vision Pro.

Asked about reports that Vision Pro had been “on ice” and that its development team had been dismantled, Sinclair said, “It’s still early innings for spatial computing. And so, there’s a lot of things that we’re doing, we’re learning, and continue to improve on and continue to invest in. And so I would hope that updates like visionOS 27 and all the things that we’re adding, and all the capabilities that we’re unlocking, whether it’s for consumer use or it’s for business use, serves as evidence that we are invested in this platform and we’re invested in this idea of spatial computing and building these capabilities that just can’t be done on any other device.”

His comments indicate that Apple continues to see potential in spatial computing, even if its approach to hardware development appears to be evolving, as per the report.

Incoming CEO John Ternus also described spatial computing as being in the “early innings” in April. He called Vision Pro an “extraordinary product” and highlighted potential applications in areas such as enterprise and medicine.