Google Strikes $250 Million Deal to Acquire Part of HTC’s XR Business
Google has announced its acquisition of a segment of HTC’s extended reality (XR) business for $250 million, marking a significant move in its efforts to strengthen its position in virtual and augmented reality technology. The deal comes in the wake of the tech giant’s recent unveiling of its Android XR platform.

Google has announced its acquisition of a segment of HTC’s extended reality (XR) business for $250 million, marking a significant move in its efforts to strengthen its position in virtual and augmented reality technology. The deal comes in the wake of the tech giant’s recent unveiling of its Android XR platform.
The agreement includes the transfer of certain engineering staff from HTC VIVE to Google, along with non-exclusive rights to some of HTC’s intellectual property. According to HTC, the company will retain the ability to use and develop the technology, ensuring its continued presence in the XR market while collaborating with Google on specific technological fronts.
This is not the first major collaboration between the two companies. Back in 2017, Google acquired HTC’s smartphone division in a deal worth $1.1 billion, which brought significant talent and resources to its hardware development team. This latest transaction further deepens the partnership between the two firms as they explore the growing potential of XR technologies.
In a statement, Google emphasized that the acquisition is aimed at accelerating the development of its Android XR platform, which is designed to support hardware like headsets and smart glasses. This move aligns with the company’s broader strategy of investing in next-generation technologies as competition heats up in the XR space. Companies such as Apple and Meta currently lead the market, and Google appears intent on positioning itself as a key player in the race to dominate the XR ecosystem.
Both companies have expressed optimism about the potential for further collaboration. While Google focuses on integrating new talent and technology to enhance its XR capabilities, HTC plans to continue its independent work in the field, leveraging the rights retained through this agreement.
Industry analysts see the deal as a strategic step for Google as it seeks to expand its hardware ecosystem and challenge established players in the augmented and virtual reality markets. With the transfer of skilled engineers and access to key intellectual property, the acquisition could boost Google’s capacity to innovate in a highly competitive sector. Meanwhile, HTC is expected to maintain its commitment to the XR space, building on its expertise and legacy in virtual reality technologies.
The deal underscores the growing importance of XR technologies in shaping the future of digital interaction, with major companies vying for leadership in this transformative field.