Jakarta, INTI – Technology company Meta is officially developing a new device code-named “Puffin”, an ultra-light headset scheduled to launch in 2026. Because Puffin is designed to resemble smart glasses, but has advanced capabilities for productivity and entertainment. It only weighs about 100 grams, which is much lighter than other virtual reality devices. Meta, through its Reality Labs division, as part of their larger effort to popularize the metaverse and expand the ecosystem of AI and smart devices.
Lightweight and Practical Design, Weighs Only 100 Grams
Puffin is designed like smart glasses, but with a slightly larger size. The main advantage lies in its lightweight design of about 100 grams as the processing unit and battery are housed in separate cases connected via cables.
Meta even plans to shrink the size of the processing case so that it can be stored in a pocket, like the battery in Apple's Vision Pro device or Project Orion. With this approach, Puffin is expected to become a wearable device that is convenient to use in daily activities.
Supported by Horizon OS System and Multi-App Function
The Puffin headset will run Horizon OS, a Meta-made operating system that allows users to open multiple applications at once in the form of virtual windows. This feature is designed to increase productivity and support digital entertainment activities.
Puffin's target audience includes professionals and general users who need a lightweight device that is still capable in terms of performance. Meta emphasized that Puffin will target a wider market than the previous Quest headset.
Big Investment in Reality Labs and New Focus on AI
The launch of Puffin is considered very important for Meta because it is part of the company's efforts to maximize its billion US dollar investment in Reality Labs. Until now, the huge investment has not fully paid off, especially in introducing the metaverse to the general market.
Now, Meta is shifting its focus to artificial intelligence (AI) and Project Orion smart glasses. This strategy has been reinforced by the success of Meta's Ray-Ban sunglasses, which have been far more successful than the Quest headset.
Competing with Other Tech Giants
Meta is not the only company competing in the smart wearable market. Apple, Samsung, Google, and Oppo are also developing similar products, some of which have even demoed their devices.
Meanwhile, Meta decided to postpone the launch of Quest 4 to 2027, in order to maximize the development of Puffin. This step shows how serious Meta is in making Puffin a superior product for the future.
Conclusion
With Puffin, Meta aims to introduce a new generation of smart headsets that are lightweight, practical and capable of supporting various digital activities. The combination of ergonomic design, smart operating system, and multi-application experience makes Puffin a strategic move for Meta to regain its leading position in the wearable market. Despite facing stiff competition from other tech companies, Meta is optimistic that Puffin will become one of the pioneers in the new era of lightweight and smart AR devices.
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