Meta’s Shift in Augmented Reality Strategy
Meta, a number one technology company, has made significant adjustments in its development of hardware devices, particularly within the realm of augmented reality (AR) glasses. The company has reportedly given up on selling its earlier project, code-named Orion, and can as a substitute provide these AR glasses on to developers.
Background on Project Nazare
Project Nazare, also often called Orion, was Meta’s first attempt at creating augmented reality glasses. The company invested three years in developing these glasses, which were designed to operate independently. However, the production cost was extremely high, reaching several thousand dollars per unit. This made it unlikely for the product to be viable in the overall market, as it will only appeal to developers and technology enthusiasts.
New Direction for Augmented Reality Glasses
Considering the high production cost, Meta decided to supply the AR glasses on to developers. This move will allow developers to create more suitable AR applications, which might then be used to drive the expansion of the AR market. Meanwhile, Meta will deal with developing a brand new line of AR glasses, called Artemis, which shall be more suitable for the buyer market. The Artemis glasses are expected to be lighter and more cost-effective than the sooner model.
Upcoming Products: Hypernova
In addition to Artemis, Meta plans to launch an entry-level augmented reality glasses called Hypernova next 12 months. The Hypernova glasses shall be designed to draw the buyer market with a cheaper price point. However, unlike the sooner model, the Hypernova glasses would require a connection to a cell phone to operate. This compromise on functionality is probably going intended to maintain costs down and make the product more accessible to a wider audience.
Conclusion
Meta’s decision to shift its focus from selling AR glasses on to consumers to providing them to developers and creating more consumer-friendly products is a major change in strategy. By doing so, the corporate goals to drive the expansion of the AR market and create more opportunities for developers to create progressive applications. With the upcoming launch of Hypernova and the event of Artemis, Meta is poised to make a major impact on the planet of augmented reality.
