After massive layoffs, Meta cut Portal smart displays and unreleased smartwatch projects

CTOnews.com, Nov. 12 (Xinhua)-- Meta is canceling its Portal video call smart display and two remaining unreleased smartwatch projects, according to TheVerge, after announcing 11000 job cuts, including employees in many technology departments.

CTOnews.com learned that there were reports in June that Meta planned to stop producing consumer versions of its Portal video calling hardware and shift its product line to focus on corporate uses, such as teleconferencing, but now Meta is also stopping selling Portal video calling hardware to companies.

It was also reported in June that the smartwatch codenamed "Milan" had been cancelled after it was revealed that the smartwatch would be launched in the spring of 2023 for about $349 (2485 yuan) and equipped with two cameras for video calls. Now sources say two other Meta smartwatches that are in early and mid-development stages have also been shelved.

Meta didn't respond to a request for comment.

Nearly half of Meta's 11000 layoffs (46 per cent) are in the technology sector, according to executives quoted by Reuters as saying Meta spoke at the town hall meeting. It is not clear how many of them are in the hardware department. Meta's hardware business will continue to exist, but most of its other hardware projects serve its AR and VR ambitions, such as the recently launched Meta Quest Pro head Show.