Should Meta Reconsider Premium VR Headsets? An In-depth Analysis

Meta Halts Development of La Jolla Headset

According to The Information, Meta had already started developing the La Jolla headset in November but told employees to stop working on the device this past week. The decision was due in part to the fact that the La Jolla headset would’ve used pricey MicroOLED displays.

Meta’s Shift in Strategy

The move suggests that Meta as a whole may be souring on the idea of premium VR. Purportedly, the goal was to keep the cost of the headset under $1,000, which was looking increasingly difficult given how expensive MicroOLED can be to produce. Compounding matters, the $3,500 Vision Pro has struggled to make an impact with customers and developers, raising questions as to whether there’s even appetite for a high-end competitor. It also doesn’t help that the Quest Pro, which launched at $1,499, was poorly reviewed and quickly faded from the spotlight.

Meta’s Response

Officially, however, Meta seems to be downplaying the decision to cancel La Jolla.

“We have many prototypes in development at all times. But we don’t bring all of them to production,” Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth posted on Threads, referring to the news. “We move forward with some, we pass on others. Decisions like this happen all the time, and stories based on chatter about one individual decision will never give the real picture.”

Future Plans for Meta

Despite that, Meta still has plans for more headsets and mixed reality tech in the near future. The Verge has previously reported that a more affordable Quest headset, codenamed Ventura, may be coming out later this year. In a similar vein, Meta will reportedly show off some new AR glasses next month at its Meta Connect event. Likewise, the Quest 4 is rumored to have a standard and premium version arriving sometime in 2026.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Meta’s decision to halt the development of the La Jolla headset raises questions about the future of premium VR at the company. While the reasons behind the decision are valid, it remains to be seen how Meta will pivot its strategy moving forward.

FAQs

Q: Why did Meta stop working on the La Jolla headset?

A: Meta decided to halt development due to the high cost associated with using MicroOLED displays.

Q: What are Meta’s future plans for VR and AR products?

A: Meta is reportedly working on a more affordable Quest headset and new AR glasses, with the Quest 4 set to launch in 2026.

Credit: www.theverge.com