Meta Scraps Its Plans To Launch Premium VR Headset by 2027 To Compete Against Apple Vision Pro: Reports
Meta reportedly cancelled its plans to launch a premium VR headset by 2027 to take on Apple Vision Pro. The developer team working on the project were told to stop working on it.
Menlo Park, August 24: Meta reportedly cancelled the project of high-end AR and VR headset and dropped out of the race to compete with the expensive Apple Vision Pro. The company's Apple Vision Pro-like expensive mixed reality headset was scheduled to be launched in 2027. Initially, the Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg criticised Apple Vision Pro and the idea of launching a virtual reality headset at such premium price.
First reported by The Information, Meta was developing Apple Vision Pro-competitor and planned to launch it at premium price. The development of this headset began in November under a codename called "La Jolla". However, the company informed the employees to stop working on the headset last week. Meta likely scrapped down the idea of competing with other. Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series To Launch in India on August 27; Check Expected Specifications and Other Details.
Meta CTO Post on Threads
Post by @boztankView on Threads
The reports said that the device was expected to feature expensive MicroLED displays. Unlike Apple that launched the Vision Pro headset at USD 3,499 (around INR 2.93 lakh), the Mark Zuckerberg-led company was aiming for launching it under USD 1,000 (around INR 83,000). Although Apple launched its mixed reality headset at such a higher price, it reportedly failed to create an impact that was needed.
Recently some reports informed that that iPhone-maker was working on a cheaper version of Vision Pro which might be released in the future. Also, the Apple Vision pro, despite getting buzz at the very early days of launch, failed to attract more customers and inspire developers. So, it would be an ideal move to skip the idea of launching a device that is expensive and not appreciated by the users. Vivo Y18i Entry-Level 4G Smartphone With 90Hz Display Launched in India; Check Price, Features & Specifications.
This is not the first time Meta tried to launch an expensive VR headset. It already launched Quest Pro at USD 1,499 which faded in the market out due to poor reviews. On Threads, Meta CTO hinted during the service announcement that despite the company having multiple prototypes in development, it would not bring all of them into production. He said, "We move forward with some, we pass on others. Decisions like this happen all the time..."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2024 06:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).