TLDRs;

Meta closes Horizon Workrooms, ending VR enterprise platform sales and deleting all related data.
Roughly 1,000 Reality Labs employees laid off as VR studios shut down and development halts.
 Meta shifts focus to mobile, enhancing Horizon features and AI tools for phones.
 Stock edges higher as investors weigh VR exit against mobile strategy and future growth potential.

Meta Platforms Inc. announced it will officially shut down Horizon Workrooms, its virtual reality collaboration platform, on February 16, 2026. The company will stop sales of related headsets and services by February 20, signaling a clear pivot away from enterprise VR.

Following the announcement, Meta’s stock (META) gained slightly as investors considered the company’s shift from VR to mobile-focused experiences. The modest stock rise reflects cautious optimism about the long-term strategy despite short-term disruptions.

All data associated with Workrooms will be deleted at shutdown. However, existing customers with Horizon managed service licenses can continue access until January 4, 2030, and licenses will remain free after February 16.

The decision is part of a broader effort to refocus Meta’s technology strategy. Workrooms aimed to bring VR-based meetings to businesses, but adoption rates lagged expectations. Meta now recommends clients transition to platforms such as Arthur, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom, indicating a managed exit that minimizes disruption for enterprise users.

Reality Labs Faces Major Restructuring

Alongside the platform shutdown, Meta laid off approximately 1,000 employees, roughly 10% of its Reality Labs division. Multiple VR game studios under Reality Labs have been closed, and development on applications such as Supernatural, a VR fitness app, has been halted.

Analysts say these changes could reduce content that previously helped drive adoption of Meta’s enterprise VR products.

Meta Platforms, Inc., META

The layoffs and studio closures highlight a clear signal: Meta is deprioritizing full-scale VR for enterprise and social experiences. For the affected employees, Meta has indicated some transitional support, while the broader market is watching how the company reallocates resources toward mobile-focused initiatives.

Pivot to Mobile Collaboration

Meta’s announcement emphasized that its future investments will target mobile experiences rather than immersive VR headsets. Horizon features and AI creator tools are set to be enhanced for phones and tablets, suggesting the company sees broader adoption potential in mobile-first 3D collaboration.

This strategic pivot opens opportunities for software vendors and startups. Mobile collaboration platforms could build complementary 3D spaces aligned with Meta’s new focus, while enterprise software providers are encouraged to offer migration and data export solutions ahead of the Workrooms shutdown.

Independent software vendors (ISVs) can continue leveraging Meta Quest Remote Desktop capabilities for workgroups seeking virtual monitors without full Workrooms functionality.

Investor Response and Market Implications

Meta’s stock gained slightly following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s mobile pivot despite short-term disruptions. Analysts argue that while the VR exit may limit certain enterprise growth opportunities, the shift toward mobile and AI-driven collaboration could capture larger user bases and improve long-term margins.

Meta Shuts VR Game Studios After $70bn Losses.

The company is redirecting money and talent towards artificial intelligence and augmented reality hardware

MORE: https://t.co/3ee5etrqva

— Techeconomy (@TecheconomyNG) January 15, 2026

The company’s strategy underscores a trend in tech: immersive VR remains a niche, while scalable mobile applications promise higher adoption. For Meta, success will depend on how effectively it transitions its Horizon ecosystem to mobile platforms and retains existing enterprise users while attracting new audiences.

As February 16 approaches, the market will be watching closely. Meta’s decisions on mobile development, content partnerships, and AI integrations will likely shape investor sentiment and define the company’s next phase of growth.

The post Meta (META) Stock; Gains Slightly as VR Workrooms Shutdown Signals Mobile Shift appeared first on CoinCentral.

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Filed under: News - @ January 16, 2026 7:17 am