Ready for a sneak peek into the future? Meta's dipping its toes further into the Augmented Reality (AR) waters, with plans to unveil the first samples of its AR glasses to a select group next year. But here's the twist: only a thousand pairs are up for grabs!
Drawing inspiration from Snap Inc.'s playbook, Meta is rolling out an initial test batch of these digital spectacles. The aim? To get invaluable feedback from a handpicked group of partners and creators. This cautious approach is understandable, especially considering Snap's costly Spectacles adventure. And for Meta, it's a strategic step to tease a taste of the AR experience to potential customers, gearing up for a grand launch slated for 2027.
Yet, the journey hasn't been smooth. From delays rooted in hardware hitches to negotiating the ad spend decline, challenges have been many. Not to mention, the underwhelming performance of its acquisition, microLED maker Plessey, and the lukewarm response to its Ray Ban Stories.
But Meta's vision isn't confined to just glasses. The bigger picture? A vast metaverse! The company is intertwining advancements, weaving AR glasses into the metaverse tapestry, offering users a mesmerizing plunge into the digital universe.
However, producing these AR marvels isn't child's play. From wrangling with materials that brush against export regulations to refining the production pipeline, Meta has its work cut out.
So, if you've been daydreaming about donning Meta's AR glasses soon, pump the brakes. The journey towards consumer readiness is still unfolding. But with an early model already in the internal testing phase, it might not be long before Meta's AR vision becomes a tangible reality!
