Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, has refuted rumors suggesting that the design of the Quest virtual reality headset will likely be outsourced to Goertek, its Chinese manufacturing partner.
The first hints of the declaration emerged last week as rumors unfolded following a tweet from former VR developer Cix Liv. Cix asserted that Meta’s headset design team has effectively ceased to exist, with Goertek set to assume responsibility in a 100% capacity. Bosworth’s denial of these allegations was swift and unequivocal, made public in a statement on X.
It is alleged that CIX may be subject to significant restructuring, potentially including mass layoffs, during Meta’s Reality Labs’ Q1 2025 strategy adjustment, partly driven by a pivot away from Virtual Reality (VR) towards Augmented Reality (AR). However, this claim was refuted by Bosworth.
False
— Boz (@boztank)
As the central declaration resurfaces, it’s now reported by The Information that Meta is poised to offload a significant portion of its Quest hardware development process to Goertek at some point.
To optimize the design for manufacturability, Meta has collaborated closely with Goertek to thoroughly understand the limitations and costs associated with different approaches, mirroring the same rigorous process undertaken for the original Oculus Rift. Although The Info reports that Meta intends to outsource the development of certain components, including those resembling lenses and displays, to Goertek, and that the latter has started crafting the exterior casing for future Oculus Quest headsets. Meta demands that Goertek entirely design Quest headsets by 2030.
Despite initial reports, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth vehemently denied claims that Quest headset design was outsourced, stating so through a series of posts on X, while also accusing the same individual who propagated this rumor to both outlets, implying a deliberate attempt to mislead.
Here’s the improved text: To be crystal clear, Goertek is an excellent partner, and as our technology stack matures and is reused across headsets, we’re grateful they continue to drive design consistency, a relationship that has always been true. This approach doesn’t depart from our previous collaboration with them, even as we expand the project’s scope.
— Boz (@boztank)
“We currently design our headsets in-house and have no plans to alter this approach,” Bosworth states. “We maintain close relationships with our producers, but ultimately, no changes occur.”
“Goertek is an exemplary partner, and as our technology stack matures and is reused across headsets, we’re pleased to entrust them with design responsibilities, a dynamic that has always been in place,” Bosworth noted, adding, “This arrangement remains unchanged despite scaling up our collaboration.”
The article is mistaken. Just because someone prints something does not necessarily make it correct. The refutations are actually embedded within the cited articles themselves?
— Boz (@boztank)
Even more surprising was the departure of employees whose contracts weren’t renewed, a move that lacked the drama of layoffs. Anyone purchasing such absurdity must either be an intentional deceiver or woefully misinformed.
— Boz (@boztank)
Bosworth firmly rejected the report, categorically stating “The article is mistaken,” before issuing a scathing rebuke: “Anyone buying into this rubbish is either a liar or an idiot.”
