Close Menu
Human Resources Mag
  • Home
  • News
  • Management
  • Guides
  • Law
  • Talents
  • Benfits
  • Technology
  • More
    • Web Stories
    • Editor’s Picks
    • Press Release
What's On

Latest Updates and FAQs for 2025

May 23, 2025

Solving Workplace Challenges with Psychological Expertise

May 23, 2025

How to Turn “Check-the-Box” Compliance Trainings Into Real Learning

May 23, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Human Resources Mag
Subscribe
  • Home
  • News
  • Management
  • Guides
  • Law
  • Talents
  • Benfits
  • Technology
  • More
    • Web Stories
    • Editor’s Picks
    • Press Release
Human Resources Mag
Home » Apple’s spatial computing may make offices less relevant
Management

Apple’s spatial computing may make offices less relevant

staffBy staffDecember 22, 20234 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Copy Link LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
Follow Us
Google News Flipboard
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link

One thing that became evident in 2023? Employees don’t want to work in the office five days a week. Instead, they want a hybrid work model. With that settled, the thing for HR managers to watch for in 2024 is the introduction of technologies to improve virtual collaboration, especially for remote workers.

The big change expected is Apple’s release of its mixed reality product, Vision Pro, due out sometime next year. Apple has referred to it as a spatial computing platform because it will allow people to navigate a virtual and augmented space, or mixed reality environment, using eyes, hands and voice — or in ways that are more natural way than current headsets. 

Vision Pro might be enough to make 3D collaboration mainstream. Still, it may take a few years for it to achieve that level of adoption, said Blaine Brown, director of machine intelligence innovation at Diversified, an audio visual (AV) services firm. One limiting factor is the headset’s $3,500 price tag.

Nonetheless, if Apple reduces the pricing and size of the headset, something that seems likely as time goes on, it may move AR/VR or spatial computing out of its niche and into the enterprise, Brown said. It’s “a very big player coming into a niche market that justifies the market.” 

As an AV services firm, Diversified outfits offices and conference rooms with advanced camera-tracking systems focusing on speakers, microphones and other tech to ensure seamless in-person and remote worker meetings. It builds broadcast studios and immersive tech and has deployed VR for customers, such as an insurance company that uses it to train agents.

Today, workers use computing in 2D environments, which is limiting, Brown said. “When you start immersing yourself into virtual environments where you can collaborate with each other and with other objects or other content, it’s a whole next level,” he said. 

Business adopters of AR/VR primarily use these systems for corporate learning, but there is increasing interest in their ability to facilitate collaboration. Apple’s Vision Pro is expected to get wide use in learning. 

The cost limits on spatial computing

Where the tech goes next will depend on a company’s willingness to invest, said Khalil Smith, vice president of inclusion, diversity and engagement at Akamai Technologies, a computing, security and content delivery company. The technology development will follow if companies are willing to spend top dollar on headsets for each employee. 

One commonality between Akamai, which employs 10,000, and Diversified, which has 2,400 workers, is their adoption of remote work. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the two companies operated with mostly in-office workers. 

Akamai operates office collaboration hubs for employees and will rent out conference rooms as needed. Up to 5% of employees are required to work in the office, but that number is primarily driven by roles, such as government security work. Based on badge swipes, Smith said about 8% to 9% of their employees go into the office on any given day. 

Akamai allows U.S. workers to work remotely in any state. When other companies announce return to office policies, Akamai’s recruiting efforts benefit, Smith said. 

“Our talent acquisition team absolutely loves it,” Smith said of the company’s remote work policy. It also helps with retention, he said. 

Studies indicate employees don’t want to return to the office full-time. Based on poll results released earlier this year, Gallup stated “fully on-site work is expected to remain a relic of the past.” Its survey found that “a mere six percent want to work entirely on-site going forward.” 

Kastle Systems, an access control systems company that uses badge swipe data to calculate building occupancy, estimated that the average office occupancy rate in December to be about 51% compared to pre-COVID-19 data. It collects data from 10 large metro areas, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington. 

Dan Schawbel, managing partner of consulting firm Workplace Intelligence, said the hybrid model represents “a truce between employer and employee, allowing both to meet in the middle.”

“The hybrid model combines the advantages of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration, providing a balanced solution,” Schawbel said. The model accommodates “the desire for increased flexibility and work-life balance among employees” while allowing businesses to maintain “a physical workplace for teamwork, creativity and organizational culture.” 

Patrick Thibodeau covers HCM and ERP technologies for TechTarget Editorial. He’s worked for more than two decades as an enterprise IT reporter.

Follow on Google News Follow on Flipboard
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Copy Link

Related Articles

5 Reasons to Thank Your HR Team Today

May 14, 2025 Management

The Job Benefits That Aren’t Benefiting Anyone

May 13, 2025 Management

Why Having Quality HR Data is Foundational to Your HR Strategy

May 8, 2025 Management

5 Pitfalls to Avoid (If You Want Them to Work!)

May 8, 2025 Management

5 Indicators of HR’s Bright Future

April 25, 2025 Management

A Quick Guide for HR Pros

April 15, 2025 Management
Top Articles

Accused of fraud, murder, fired exec awarded $500,000, 24 months’ notice

January 9, 202497 Views

5 Best Learning Management Systems in 2025

February 11, 202590 Views

Canadian Tire store under investigation for alleged exploitation of temporary foreign workers

October 2, 202490 Views
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • WhatsApp
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Latest News

Brand Awareness Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations

staffMay 23, 2025

WSIB warns of delayed services as thousands walk off job

staffMay 23, 2025

What’s next for No Tax on Overtime States?

staffMay 23, 2025
Most Popular

Latest Updates and FAQs for 2025

May 23, 20250 Views

Solving Workplace Challenges with Psychological Expertise

May 23, 20250 Views

How to Turn “Check-the-Box” Compliance Trainings Into Real Learning

May 23, 20250 Views
Our Picks

Brand Awareness Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations

May 23, 2025

WSIB warns of delayed services as thousands walk off job

May 23, 2025

What’s next for No Tax on Overtime States?

May 23, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest human resources news and updates directly to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 Human Resources Mag. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.