Meta Cancels La Jolla: High-End Mixed Reality Headset Project Abandoned Amid Production Cost Challenges
Meta Cancels La Jolla: High-End Mixed Reality Headset Project Abandoned Amid Production Cost Challenges" is a news article that reports on Meta's decision to cancel its high-end mixed reality headset project, codenamed "La Jolla." The article delves into the key reasons behind this cancellation, primarily the exorbitant production costs associated with the headset's micro OLED displays. It also explores Meta's strategic shift towards licensing its XR software, Horizon OS, to other companies and its ongoing efforts to develop more affordable mixed reality devices. The article provides insights from Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, regarding the company's routine prototype development process and its continued commitment to exploring new avenues in the mixed reality space. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive analysis of Meta's decision to cancel the La Jolla project and its implications for the company's future in the mixed reality market.
Meta Platforms has officially canceled its high-end mixed reality headset project, codenamed "La Jolla," which was intended to compete with Apple's Vision Pro. This decision, reported by The Information, follows a product review meeting involving CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other top executives. The La Jolla headset, which began development in November 2023 and was slated for a 2027 release, faced significant challenges due to the high production costs associated with its advanced micro OLED displays.
Reasons for Cancellation
The primary factor leading to the cancellation was the difficulty in keeping the headset's price below $1,000. The micro OLED technology, while offering superior visual quality, significantly increased production costs, making it unfeasible for Meta to achieve its pricing target. This situation was compounded by the lukewarm market reception of Apple's Vision Pro, which retails for $3,499 and has not met sales expectations. Reports indicate that even among consumers, the Vision Pro has faced returns, raising concerns about the viability of high-priced mixed reality devices in the current market.
Meta's Strategic Shift
In light of these challenges, Meta is shifting its focus from developing high-end hardware to licensing its XR software, Horizon OS, to other companies. Despite the cancellation of La Jolla, the company continues to explore other mixed reality initiatives. Meta is currently developing a more affordable headset, codenamed Ventura, expected to launch later this year, and plans to release the Quest 4 by 2026.
Future Developments
Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, commented on the cancellation, stating that the company routinely develops multiple prototypes but does not advance all of them to production. He emphasized that decisions like these are common within the organization. Additionally, Meta is preparing to unveil new augmented reality glasses at its upcoming Connect developer conference, although these will not be publicly available for several years due to ongoing development challenges.In summary, while the cancellation of the La Jolla project marks a significant pivot for Meta in the mixed reality space, the company remains committed to exploring new avenues and developing more accessible devices for consumers.