Meta considers new mixed reality glasses as alternative to headsets: report
Meta Platforms is planning to develop a mixed reality device that resembles a large pair of glasses, Information reported Wednesday, citing two employees of the social media giant.
The new project, internally codenamed “Puffin,” aims to design an alternative to Facebook’s parent company’s heavy headsets, which have limited consumer appeal, the report said.
Meta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Mixed Reality combines Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (VR) and allows real-world objects to interact with digital objects.
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays text, sounds, images and video on real images that users see, while virtual reality places users in a completely artificial environment and creates computer-generated experiences.
Puffin would be a significantly smaller device than Meta’s existing Quest headsets, the report said. The project is still in its early stages, with a release planned for 2027.
Meta’s Reality Labs division, responsible for developing and marketing the Quest line of VR headsets, has suffered financial losses in the billions. Despite this, CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains optimistic about the future prospects of augmented and virtual reality technologies.
Unlike the Quest headsets, the new Puffin device will not feature wearable controllers, as users will be able to control the device using hand gestures and eye movements, the report said.
The virtual reality and mixed reality headset market has seen renewed interest following Apple’s entry last year, though the Vision Pro has struggled with sales due to its high price tag of nearly $3,500.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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