Meta pushes back launch of mixed-reality headset positioned against Vison Pro

Meta has announced a postponement in the release of its highly anticipated mixed-reality glasses, originally set for the first half of 2026. According to a report from Business Insider, the new target release date has been shifted to the first half of 2027. This update was confirmed in a memo sent to employees by Maher Saba, Vice President of Reality Labs Foundation at Meta. In an internal communication viewed by the publication, metaverse leaders Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns explained that the decision to push back the launch is intended to provide the team with additional time to perfect the product. They emphasized the importance of ensuring a polished and reliable user experience, stating, "There’s a lot coming in hot with tight bring-up schedules and big changes to our core UX, and we won’t compromise on landing a fully polished and reliable experience." Saba mentioned that feedback from a recent meeting with CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted the need for a sustainable business model, necessitating a more measured approach to deliver high-quality experiences. He noted that this delay would not be an opportunity to add new features but rather to refine existing plans and timelines. In the meantime, Meta is reportedly planning to unveil a limited edition wearable device in 2026, codenamed "Malibu 2." Additionally, the company is developing a next-generation Quest device aimed at enhancing immersive gaming, which promises significant upgrades over current models while improving economic viability. Earlier this week, Meta also revealed its acquisition of Limitless, an AI wearable startup that creates a pendant designed to record, transcribe, and summarize real-world conversations, effectively acting as a personal memory aid. Meanwhile, competition in the mixed-reality sector is expected to intensify, with OpenAI rumored to be working on its own AI hardware set to launch around 2027. While specific details about the Phoenix mixed-reality glasses remain undisclosed, a report by The Information suggests that the device may feature a goggle-like design and could require an external power source for operation. The glasses are anticipated to be comparable to the Apple Vision Pro, but with a lighter and more comfortable build to mitigate overheating issues.