Meta halts development of Apple Vision Pro rival
Meta has reportedly halted the development of its high-end mixed-reality headset, designed to take on the Apple Vision Pro. The Information revealed that employees at Meta's Reality Labs division were instructed to cease work on the device this week, following a product review meeting. The discontinued device, internally known as La Jolla, was set for a 2027 launch and was expected to feature ultra-high-resolution screens using micro OLEDs — the same display technology utilized in Vision Pro.
Reality Labs division faces financial challenges
Despite the recent cancelation, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains positive about the future of augmented and virtual reality technologies. However, the company's Reality Labs division, which is responsible for developing and marketing the Quest line of headsets, has experienced significant financial losses. In 2023, due to weak sales and negative reviews, production was halted on the Quest Pro — Meta's most expensive headset priced at $999 (approximately ₹83,700).
Meta explores licensing XR software to third-party manufacturers
In addition to discontinuing the high-end headset, Meta is also exploring opportunities to license its XR software to third-party hardware manufacturers. The platform, known as Horizon OS, could potentially be licensed to Indian tech giant Jio as an initial step in this strategy. However, a previous deal with LG did not materialize. Despite these setbacks and changes in direction, rumors suggest that a Quest 4 is on the horizon along with a more budget-friendly version of the Quest 3.
Meta's future plans and market expectations
Meta is also reportedly developing new AR glasses that are expected to be unveiled at the next Connect event on September 25. There is speculation that the company may revisit the idea of a high-end headset in the future, once there is more consumer interest in this sector. The Quest 4 is anticipated to be available in stores by 2026.
