July 22 Crypto News – Meta Slashes Metaverse Budget by 20% Ahead of Q2 Earnings Report

July 22 Crypto News – Meta’s Metaverse Spending Takes a Hit: 20% Cut Ahead of Q2 Earnings

July 22 Crypto News – Meta is reportedly set to reduce the budget for its Reality Labs division by approximately 20% through 2026. Reality Labs is responsible for developing Meta’s metaverse hardware and software. This decision aligns with recent reports and suggests that Meta is shifting Reality Labs toward a production-focused role in anticipation of several high-profile hardware launches planned over the coming years. According to The Information, this move could save Meta around $3 billion, according to analysts from Bank of America.

Impact on Q1 2024 Earnings

The timing of these cost-cutting measures coincides with Meta’s upcoming earnings call on July 31. Analysts are forecasting that Meta will report revenue figures similar to Q1 2024, when the company recorded $36.45 billion in revenue—a 27% increase from 2023. Despite this revenue growth, Reality Labs posted a significant loss of $3.8 billion for the quarter. It’s worth noting that some of these losses may not be directly linked to Meta’s metaverse projects.

Increased Focus on AI

In April 2024, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed during the Q1 earnings call that a growing portion of Reality Labs’ resources is being allocated to support the company’s AI initiatives. This shift indicates a broader strategic realignment within Reality Labs, which may be contributing to the recent budget cuts.

Future Outlook and Product Launches

The announced budget cuts could be a strategic realignment of Reality Labs’ efforts, potentially aimed at addressing investor concerns about the division’s financial losses. Since 2019, Reality Labs has accumulated losses of approximately $55 billion. This budget adjustment may also reflect Meta’s preparation for future product launches, including the next-generation Quest VR headset, Ray-Ban smart glasses with visual components, and a wrist-worn “neural interface.” There is also a prototype of a full-holographic headset in development, though its release timeline remains uncertain.

FAQ: Meta’s Reality Labs Budget Cut

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