Meta To Abandon The Metaverse?

Dec 4, 2025 21m

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Episode Description

On the one hand, Meta poached Apple’s design head in a major coup to make hardware and software for AI, but there are signs Zuck is souring on the Metaverse could even abandon it entirely. Is Amazon about to abandon your mailman? And why Dario Amodei is playing a blinder right now. Apple Design Executive Alan Dye Poached by Meta in Major Coup (Bloomberg) Meta’s Zuckerberg Plans Deep Cuts for Metaverse Efforts (Bloomberg) Amazon explores building its own delivery network to replace USPS deal (Washington Post) Anthropic CEO Says Some Tech Firms Too Risky With AI Spending (Bloomberg) Harvey, a Maker of A.I. Legal Software, Raises New Funds (NYTimes) Reddit’s CEO says r/popular ‘sucks,’ and it’s going away (The Verge) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI-Generated Summary

Meta's Leadership Shake-up and Shift in Focus

In a significant move, Meta successfully recruited Apple's VP of Human Interface Design, Alan Dai, to lead its design for AI, hardware, and software integration. This decision reflects Meta's long-term ambition to develop a brand identity in consumer devices, particularly those incorporating artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, concerns are growing about the future of the Metaverse, as new reports suggest Meta is planning substantial budget cuts—potentially as high as 30%—to its Metaverse division in 2026, amidst declining interest from investors and a shift in focus from virtual reality to AI-driven products.

Amazon's Potential Shift from Postal Service

Amazon, currently the USPS's largest customer, is exploring the option of establishing its own delivery network, which could lead to the termination of its deal with the Postal Service by late 2026. The Postal Service primarily benefits from this partnership, accounting for a significant revenue portion. With ongoing negotiations reportedly stalled, Amazon's move could threaten the USPS's financial stability, highlighting the challenges faced by the agency in a changing delivery landscape.

AI Startups and Investment Trends

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, raised concerns over the risks that some AI companies are taking with exorbitant investments in data centers without clear returns. Amidst the frenzy for AI solutions, there's a growing interest in startups like Harvey, an AI legal software company that raised significant funding recently and aims to differentiate itself from larger AI players. As these second-order AI firms eye public offerings, the overall health of the startup ecosystem remains in focus, especially regarding profitability and market viability.

Reddit's Algorithmic Changes

Reddit is planning to move away from its default r/popular feed in favor of more personalized content for users. CEO Steve Huffman emphasized the need for tailored experiences that better reflect individual interests rather than a singular 'popular' feed. This change aims to attract new users by offering an experience that represents a broader, more diverse content landscape.