Meta and LG Join Forces to Challenge Apple with High-End Mixed Reality Headset

A new partnership aims to leverage hardware expertise and AI prowess to rival the Apple Vision Pro in the immersive technology market.

NEWS  Headset  February 27, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

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In the ever-evolving landscape of immersive technology, a new contender is set to emerge as Meta and LG forge an alliance to develop a high-end mixed reality (MR) headset. This collaboration, poised to challenge the recent strides made by Apple with its Vision Pro device, signifies a significant milestone in the convergence of hardware innovation and AI-driven experiences.

According to a report from The Korea Economic Daily, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is slated to convene with LG CEO Cho Joo-wan in South Korea to solidify the details of this groundbreaking partnership. The endeavor aims to amalgamate LG's prowess in hardware engineering with Meta's extensive experience in mixed reality and artificial intelligence (AI) development, culminating in a cutting-edge MR headset poised to redefine the immersive technology landscape.

Meta's decision to enlist LG as a strategic partner stems from the belief that the collaboration can yield superior hardware capabilities compared to existing Meta Quest products. Leveraging LG's expertise in hardware design, coupled with the potential adaptation of its webOS platform, originally tailored for smart TVs, Meta anticipates the creation of a formidable competitor to Apple's Vision Pro.

The envisioned MR headset is poised to integrate LG's hardware acumen and webOS platform with Meta's proficiency in virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality services, alongside its burgeoning AI capabilities. This amalgamation promises to deliver a holistic and immersive user experience that transcends conventional boundaries, setting new benchmarks in the realm of immersive technology.

Mark Zuckerberg's recent critique of the Apple Vision Pro, underscored by his assertion of Meta Quest 3's superiority, underscores the competitive dynamics at play within the immersive technology landscape. With Meta positioning itself as a frontrunner in the MR domain, the forthcoming collaboration with LG signifies a strategic maneuver aimed at consolidating its market presence and challenging the dominance of established players.

Anticipation surrounds the potential release timeline of the LG-Meta MR headset, with speculations suggesting an early 2025 debut. Meanwhile, rumors abound regarding the next iteration of Apple's Vision Pro, hinting at a prospective launch in the latter half of 2025.

Amidst these developments, a third contender looms on the horizon in the form of Samsung's collaboration with Google and Qualcomm.

This partnership, leveraging Google's Android OS and Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, signals the intensifying competition within the high-end MR headset segment, promising consumers a diverse array of immersive experiences.

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