Microsoft Discontinues Windows Mixed Reality
Tech giant shifts focus to partnerships, leaving VR field open for Meta and Apple
- Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows Mixed Reality, a platform launched in 2017 to compete with other VR companies.
- The Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and Steam VR Beta will also be deprecated.
- Despite the discontinuation, Microsoft is not completely backing out of the VR and Mixed Reality space, as it has recently partnered with Meta to bring Mixed Reality-enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming and Office support to the Quest.
- Microsoft's decision leaves the field open for companies like Meta and Apple to take the lead in the VR and Mixed Reality space.
- Reports suggest that the discontinuation of Windows Mixed Reality does not impact Microsoft's other mixed-reality ecosystem, the HoloLens 2.