Frank McDougall
In a surprising move, Meta Platforms has decided to cancel its plans for a premium mixed-reality headset that was intended to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro. This decision came after a product review meeting where Meta employees were told to stop work on the device, internally known as La Jolla, which was scheduled for release in 2027.
The axed headset was set to feature ultrahigh-resolution screens called micro OLEDs, similar to the display technology used in Apple’s Vision Pro. However, Meta’s Reality Labs division, responsible for developing and marketing the Quest line of headsets, has been facing significant losses. The division has already discontinued the Quest Pro, priced at $999, in 2023 due to weak sales and poor reviews.
While Apple’s entry into the virtual and mixed reality headset market brought renewed attention, the Vision Pro has struggled to gain traction due to its high price tag of $3,500. In contrast, Meta’s existing Quest line offers more affordable options, including the Quest 2 priced at $200 and the Quest 3 priced at $500.
Despite this setback, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains optimistic about the future of augmented and virtual reality technologies. The company is now focusing on lower-cost options to make its technology more accessible to a wider audience.
Meta has not yet responded to requests for comment on this cancellation. It will be interesting to see how this decision impacts the company’s future in the rapidly evolving virtual and mixed reality market.
Some relevant facts not mentioned in the article are:
– Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, is a major player in the tech industry and known for its social media platform.
– The cancellation of the premium mixed-reality headset indicates a shift in Meta’s strategy towards more affordable options.
– The cancellation followed a product review meeting where Meta employees were informed to cease work on the headset.
– The headset was internally referred to as La Jolla and was supposed to be released in 2027.
– Meta’s Reality Labs division, responsible for the Quest line of headsets, has faced losses and discontinued the Quest Pro in 2023.
– Apple’s Vision Pro has also struggled in the market due to its high price tag of $3,500.
The most important questions related to this topic could be:
1. Why did Meta Platforms cancel its plans for the premium mixed-reality headset?
2. What are the challenges faced by Meta’s Reality Labs division that led to discontinuing the Quest Pro?
3. How does the cancellation impact Meta’s future in the virtual and mixed reality market?
4. How does Apple’s Vision Pro compare to Meta’s Quest line of headsets in terms of features and pricing?
Key challenges or controversies associated with the topic include:
1. The competition between major tech companies like Meta (Facebook) and Apple in the virtual and mixed reality market.
2. The high price tag associated with premium mixed-reality headsets, impacting their adoption and market penetration.
3. The potential financial losses incurred by Meta’s Reality Labs division due to weak sales and poor reviews.
Advantages of canceling the premium mixed-reality headset:
1. Allows Meta to focus on developing more affordable options, making their technology accessible to a wider audience.
2. Reduces the risk of potential financial losses if the premium headset were to face market resistance.
3. Enables Meta to reallocate resources towards other product development or enhancement.
Disadvantages of canceling the premium mixed-reality headset:
1. Meta might miss out on a potential market opportunity if premium mixed-reality headsets gain significant traction in the future.
2. It could negatively impact Meta’s reputation and perception in the tech industry if competitors succeed in this space.
3. The decision might disappoint some consumers who were anticipating the release of Meta’s premium mixed-reality headset.
