Investing in augmented realities

Google buys parts of HTC

Google acquires parts of HTC's XR division to strengthen its investment in Android XR

Ove Kaufeldt

Published 24 January 2025 - 15:33

Google has now announced that they are acquiring parts of HTC's division that works on developing XR solutions like the HTC Vive headset and other VR and AR-related hardware. The intention is to strengthen their position in the augmented and virtual reality market and further drive the development of Android XR, the operating system for XR headsets and smart glasses that the company introduced last month. The price tag for the deal is expected to land at 250 million dollars and includes the acquisition of employees, licenses, and technology from HTC. Exactly how many employees will be included in the purchase has not been stated.

This is not the first time Google and HTC have made this type of deal. Already in 2017, Google bought parts of HTC's mobile division, including the team behind the first Pixel phones launched in 2016.

The purchase may simultaneously lead to a more uncertain future for HTC's own Vive platform. It remains to be seen whether HTC will continue to develop the platform on its own, shut it down, or perhaps collaborate more closely with Google and rely on Android XR in the future.