Google is to acquire Raxium, a startup based in Fremont developing microLED display technology. This hardware could be used in future smartphone releases, but is of more interest for augmented or mixed reality headsets where size and weight savings are at an absolute premium.

Raxium's website specifically cites 'Augmented and Virtual Reality' as sectors that would benefit from microLED's 'Ultra-compact, low-power, high resolution, efficiency, contrast, uniformity & frame-rate'.

News of the prospective deal first appeared this week in an article by tech site The Information, who suggested the value of the deal could be in the region of $1 billion.

Having an in-house solution for future generations of Google's AR Glasses will mean that the Mountain View company can direct development to realise a similar combination of hardware and software solutions that it now enjoys with the latest Pixel smartphones.