In a surprising turn of events, Meta, the tech giant formerly known as Facebook, has decided to pull the plug on its ambitious project to create a high-end mixed reality headset. Following the release of Apples Vision Pro the decision was made due, to the product encountering market difficulties.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg convened a product review meeting this week, where the fate of the high-end mixed reality headset was sealed. The team members involved in the project were told to stop their work indicating a change, in the companys approach, to AR/VR.
A Costly Endeavor
The now-canceled high-end mixed reality headset was slated for a 2027 release, with the aim of directly competing with Apple’s Vision Pro. Meta had ideas to include cutting edge micro OLED displays in the device resembling the ones found in the Vision Pro. Yet the steep price of these displays posed a challenge, in reaching the desired price tag.
Shifting Focus
Despite the setback, Meta remains committed to its AR/VR initiatives. The company is now redirecting its efforts towards the development of the Quest 4, the successor to the popular Quest 3 high-end mixed reality headset. The Quest 4 is expected to launch in 2026, with a price point likely to mirror its predecessor at around $500.
Furthermore Meta is focusing more on software development, than hardware. This year the company introduced the Horizon OS platform, which is aimed at supporting third party hardware makers, in the AR/VR industry. This move signifies Meta’s intention to foster a thriving ecosystem around its high-end mixed reality headset offerings.
Apple’s Struggle and Its Ripple Effect
The cancellation of Meta’s high-end mixed reality headset project can be largely attributed to the lackluster performance of Apple’s Vision Pro. When the Vision Pro was introduced Meta was optimistic that it would breathe life into the market for headsets and prove Zuckerbergs investments, in the AR/VR field. However the Vision Pro faced challenges in attracting consumer attention, with excitement dwindling after its launch.
In April Apple stores saw fewer customers coming in for Vision Pro demos leading the company to lower its shipment forecasts. Analysts predict that Apple is unlikely to sell even 500,000 units of the high-end mixed reality headset in 2024. As a result Apple has stopped working on an Vision Pro model and is now concentrating on designing a more budget friendly version, with fewer functions targeting a price range similar, to its top of the line iPhones.
The Road Ahead
The cancellation of Meta’s high-end mixed reality headset serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and uncertainties that come with venturing into cutting-edge technologies. In the changing realm of AR/VR businesses need to strike a balance, between pushing boundaries keeping costs reasonable and meeting customer expectations.
While Meta’s decision to abandon its high-end mixed reality headset project may be disappointing to some, it also presents an opportunity for the company to refocus its efforts and resources on more viable ventures. Meta is focusing on Quest 4 and the Horizon OS platform to establish itself as a player, in the AR/VR sector.
As the battle for dominance in the high-end mixed reality headset market continues, it remains to be seen which company will emerge victorious. The road ahead holds a mix of obstacles and chances and only the passage of time will reveal how the future unfolds.
