Latest news with #Quest4
India Today
5 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Meta working on mixed reality goggles, report says they are launching in 2026
Meta is reportedly working on a new mixed reality headset that could arrive by the end of 2026. The device is said to be a lightweight headset that connects to a small external device for processing power, helping reduce the weight on the user's head. The development was first reported by upcoming headset, internally codenamed 'Puffin,' is being designed to look like a thick pair of glasses and could weigh around 110 grams. It may not come with any physical controllers and instead rely on eye movements and hand gestures for control. Meta is still testing various display options for the headset, and the final version is yet to be decided. The device is expected to run on HorizonOS, the same platform that powers the company's Quest series, but it may be aimed more at productivity and entertainment than Meta seems to have changed its roadmap for upcoming headsets. Earlier, the company was rumoured to be working on two versions of the Quest 4, internally called 'Pismo Low' and 'Pismo High,' offering standard and high-end options. However, these headsets may now be cancelled. Meta had also dropped plans for a premium headset called 'La Jolla' last year, which was originally planned for 2027. The focus now seems to be on getting the lightweight Puffin headset ready for a 2026 launch. Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, had earlier confirmed that the device was in the early stages of Meta prepares for its next move, Apple is also working aggressively on its own wearable AR device. As per a report by Bloomberg, Apple wants to bring its AR glasses to market before Meta. Apple's CEO Tim Cook is believed to be directly involved in the project, which is being treated as a major step in the company's future hardware glasses are expected to be light enough to wear all day, but developing them remains technically challenging. The company is still working out how to fit high-quality displays, a compact processor, and a long-lasting battery into a slim frame. There's also an ongoing internal debate about whether the glasses should include a camera or media recording features, keeping in mind the company's strict privacy Meta and Apple are clearly betting big on mixed reality and augmented reality as the next big platform. While Meta's headset may arrive in 2026, Apple is aiming to get there sooner and possibly change how people view the future of wearable tech.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Meta Quest 4 may be delayed until 2027 — but a lightweight alternative could take its place next year
The Meta Quest 4 is being pushed back until 2027, according to a recent leak, but we may be seeing an all-new lightweight VR device in 2026 instead — and it comes with an external puck. Meta appears to be shifting focus for its upcoming VR headset plans, with notable leakers Brad Lynch and Luna on X stating that the company may switch the release of the Quest 4 from next year to 2027. This is apparently due to two planned prototype headsets, codenamed "Pismo Low" (a budget model similar to the Quest 3S) and "Pismo High" (a high-end headset akin to the Quest 3), being canceled. According to the leaks, a "high-end device" is looking to arrive in 2026 instead, and it's set to be a lightweight headset that runs Horizon OS with an external compute puck, codenamed "Puffin." Yes, I too have heard whispers that Meta may swap the release schedule and debut their new high-end device in 2026, rather than Quest 4. Quest 4 would then ship a year 2, 2025 We've heard that Meta was developing a Quest Pro "successor" instead of a Quest Pro 2, and it appears Puffin could fit into that slot. According to RoadtoVR, this ultralight device would resemble VR goggles rather than a headset, and will be less focused on gaming than Meta's usual headsets. Instead, Puffin is rumored to be all about virtual screens, offering users a multi-screen setup for entertainment and productivity purposes. This isn't unlike some of the best AR glasses, including the upcoming Viture XR smart glasses. However, it stands out as the Horizon OS-based device is tipped to come with that compute puck — small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. This would be tethered to the device and deliver processing power, making it lighter to wear. It isn't unlike the Apple Vision Pro, although that headset's external device is a battery. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Rumors also indicate Meta's Puffin device won't arrive with any controllers, instead using hand-tracking to navigate around menus. That's what we've seen in the Quest 3 and Vision Pro already, but it could mean it won't offer any gaming-centric features. Interestingly, Lynch indicates Valve's Deckard headset will be available in 2026, with previous details suggesting it could launch in Fall 2025. Along with an upcoming Asus ROG VR headset (set to be the first third-party headset to use Horizon OS) in the works, there are a few VR devices coming our way. While the Quest 4 may not arrive until 2027 now, Meta's upcoming Puffin is still looking to be at the forefront of next-gen VR devices — and Apple may be scrambling to beat it to the punch. According to 9to5Mac, the Cupertino tech giant wants to launch its Apple Glasses ahead of Meta's offerings, but with Meta's changed plans, we could see its AR glasses get pushed up. What's more, rumor has it that the next Apple Vision Pro headset could drop sooner than we think. So 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for VR and AR devices, and while we'll have to wait and see what Meta ends up delivering, along with other headsets from major competitors, it's clear we have a lot to look forward to. That's not all we have coming our way, as we may see Meta's $1,000 smart glasses with a built-in screen arriving this year.
The Verge
6 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Meta reportedly sidelined ‘Quest 4' designs for a goggles-like mixed-reality headset
Meta is pushing ahead with a lightweight headset that could come with a 'tethered compute puck' that powers the device, according to a report from UploadVR. Sources tell the outlet that Meta now aims to release the mixed-reality device by the end of 2026, while sidelining two Quest 4 headsets rumored to launch next year. The forthcoming Quest 4 headsets – called 'Pismo Low' and 'Pismo High' internally – were rumored to come in a standard and premium variant. Now that they might be canceled, another Quest headset may be years away. The company also abandoned plans for its high-end La Jolla headset last year, which would've arrived in 2027. The Information first reported on Meta's plans for a lightweight mixed-reality device, codenamed 'Puffin,' in August 2024, saying it looks like a 'bulky pair of glasses' and weighs just 110 grams. At the time, The Information reported that Meta would have to offload the processor and battery into a pocket-sized external pack to make the headset lighter. The device also reportedly won't come with controllers, allowing users to control it with their eyes and gestures instead. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth confirmed The Information's reporting to The Verge 's Alex Heath last year, saying the company recently moved into the 'discovery' phase of its development. As reported by UploadVR, Meta is currently considering several different display options at varying prices, but it 'hasn't yet settled on which it will ship.' The device will also run HorizonOS, similar to Meta's Quest headsets, but it could be primarily designed for productivity and entertainment rather than gaming, according to UploadVR.
