Meta has canceled its plans to develop an augmented reality helmet (AR) following the failure of the Apple Vision Pro, a mixed reality device (virtual + augmented) launched by Apple at an exorbitant price that, to the surprise of few, has not managed to resonate with consumers.
This turn of events doesn’t surprise anyone at this point, given the history of failures in the AR market. Google’s smart glasses failed to succeed despite the company’s multiple attempts, and Microsoft’s HoloLens have been limited to government niches with large budgets.
The cancellation of Meta’s augmented reality helmet reflects a growing concern among big tech companies, who are now wondering if there is really a demand for these devices. Many companies, eager to capitalize on a technology with a short lifespan, don’t even stop to think if anyone would need or want it.
Despite everything, Meta has not completely abandoned the field of virtual reality. The company has decided to focus on the development of its next virtual reality headset, the Quest 4, a product that, although currently unattractive to the general public, continues to show some stability in a market that seeks to expand beyond the realm of video games and explore new potential uses.
