The metaverse may seem like a fading trend, but leading tech giants continue to invest in its development. Microsoft is reportedly collaborating with Samsung to create new hardware aimed at competing with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. This means that five of the ten most valuable companies by market capitalization—Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Nvidia—are currently working on metaverse-related devices.

According to a report from The Elec, a South Korean news outlet, Microsoft plans to order hundreds of thousands of OLED panels from Samsung for a device slated for mass production in 2026. Although the launch is still a few years away, the device is expected to be a headset designed for spatial computing, rather than virtual reality. As noted by The Verge, while it is not specifically intended for the metaverse, any display device can potentially interact with the metaverse. Spatial computing devices provide a unique immersive experience.

Metaverse Hardware

The metaverse is not a single location, just as the internet isn’t. Users accessing metaverse applications use screens, similar to those used for other networked digital communications. These screens range from large TVs to smaller virtual reality headset displays. Contrary to some media narratives, the market for virtual reality and metaverse hardware is expanding.

Despite marketing hype and confusion around the concept of the “metaverse,” the industry shows signs of growth. Apple is developing a successor to its Vision Pro headset, a spatial computing device used by many Fortune 500 companies. Google is teaming up with Magic Leap to create a new mixed-reality headset, continuing their collaboration despite previous setbacks.

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has rebranded to emphasize its focus on metaverse technology and continues to invest billions in its development. Nvidia also benefits from advancements in the metaverse, as its GPUs are crucial for powering the graphics and AI required to create immersive digital experiences.

If The Elec’s report is accurate, Microsoft’s initiative will bring the total number of top ten global companies investing in metaverse hardware to five.

Source: Cointelegraph