The competitive landscape has undoubtedly changed with the launch of the Apple Vision Pro earlier this year, raising questions about where Meta will go next with its XR efforts. Information The company is currently considering a device that resembles a “bulky pair”, he claims [mixed reality] “Glasses” codenamed 'Puffin'.
The report, citing two Meta employees, states that the headset currently under consideration is a thin and light mixed reality device that would serve as an alternative to larger headsets like the existing Quest series, which have had “limited consumer appeal” so far. Information reports.
The report notes that Puffin, which is still in the early stages, could be released as early as 2027, and that it will not be an augmented reality headset, but instead will use pancake lenses used in conjunction with VR displays.
This form factor in particular suggests the inclusion of micro-displays similar to those seen in the studio's slim PC VR headset Bigscreen Beyond. Big Screen Beta.
The headset, inspired by Apple's Vision Pro game, is said to stay away from Touch controllers as it will primarily rely on hand and eye tracking.
Puffin can also reportedly reduce the weight on the user's head by using an “External Processing Disk and Battery.”
This comes after a report last year of rumors that the Quest Pro 2, which was going to be positioned to compete with the Vision Pro, had not actually been cancelled, with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth saying at the time, “don't believe everything you read.”
However, a few days ago, a new report Information He claimed that Meta had supposedly cancelled the Quest Pro 2 and that it was codenamed 'La Jolla' in the report.
We expect to learn more about Puffin at Meta Connect in late September, but it seems more likely that the event will focus on the Quest 3S, which is rumored to be the company's next affordable headset and will replace the Quest 2.
We also expect to hear news about the launch of a fleet of third-party Quest-like headsets running HorizonOS, including from ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox.