It was previously reported that Meta Platforms has canceled its planned high-end mixed reality (MR) headset project, internally codenamed "La Jolla," originally slated for release in 2027. However, new information now suggests that the company plans to launch a new product integrating smart glasses with MR functionality.
According to a report by The Information citing Meta insiders, this new project is internally codenamed "Puffin" and is scheduled for release in 2027. However, it is not a modification of the aforementioned "La Jolla" but rather an entirely new project. The goal is to develop lightweight, longer-lasting, and fully functional MR glasses to serve as a replacement for the Quest series headsets, which are bulky and unsuitable for long sessions.
It is reported that the "Puffin" MR glasses will not be equipped with handheld controllers but will instead be operated through eye-tracking and hand gesture detection. Although they will be much lighter than the Quest products, the need to incorporate displays and multiple sensors is expected to make the "Puffin" MR glasses bulkier and heavier than typical smart glasses.
The report noted that this will be an MR device that cannot view the outside world directly. It features Pancake lenses and "passthrough" cameras, offering a feature similar to Apple's Vision Pro's EyeSight. Meta is reportedly moving the battery and primary computing hardware to an external disk linked to the device via a wired connection, significantly reducing the weight of the glasses to around 110 grams.
The "La Jolla" project was initially intended to develop a high-end MR headset similar to the Vision Pro, potentially as the second generation of the Quest Pro. However, with the market focus shifting towards AI in recent years and interest in the Metaverse declining sharply, coupled with Vision Pro's sales not meeting expectations, Meta gradually abandoned the idea of developing a competing product.
Despite Reality Labs, Meta's division responsible for Metaverse-related business, accumulating losses of around US$50 billion over the years, it seems that CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains optimistic about the prospects of XR development.
