Meta's "Puffin" project: New mixed reality glasses to replace bulky headsets

Next-gen Meta glasses: Meta Platforms is developing a new mixed reality device that resembles a pair of glasses, according to a report by The Information on Wednesday, citing two employees from the company.

Internally referred to as "Puffin," this new project aims to create a lighter alternative to the heavy headsets currently offered by Facebook's parent company, which have not resonated well with consumers, the report said.

Mixed reality combines elements of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), allowing for interaction between real and digital objects. AR overlays text, sounds, graphics, and video onto real-world images, while VR immerses users in a fully artificial environment, generating computer-generated experiences.

Compact Puffin headset coming

The Puffin device is expected to be much smaller than Meta's existing Quest headsets. The project is still in its early stages, with a planned release set for 2027.

Meta's Reality Labs division, which oversees the development and marketing of the Quest VR headsets, has faced substantial financial losses amounting to billions. Despite this, CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains hopeful about the future of augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Gesture-controlled Puffin device

Unlike the Quest headsets, the Puffin device will not require handheld controllers. Instead, users will be able to navigate it using hand gestures and eye movements.

The market for virtual and mixed reality headsets has gained renewed interest following Apple's entry last year. However, Apple's Vision Pro has struggled with sales due to its high price tag of nearly $3,500.

(With Reuters Inputs)