ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is developing a new pair of lightweight mixed reality (MR) goggles that aim to compete directly with Meta and Apple’s leading devices in the spatial computing and augmented reality space. This move signals ByteDance’s ambitions to establish itself as a serious player in next-generation wearable technology.
Let’s have a look at the key Features of ByteDance’s MR Goggles:
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Developed by Pico: The MR goggles are being built by ByteDance’s virtual reality subsidiary, Pico, which previously produced the Pico 4 VR headset.
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Lightweight Design: The upcoming device is expected to be compact and as lightweight as the Bigscreen Beyond VR headset (~0.28 pounds), making it more comfortable than bulkier headsets such as Meta Quest or Apple’s Vision Pro.
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Tethered Compute ‘Puck’: Instead of containing all hardware in the headset, most processing is offloaded to a small “puck” connected by a wire. This puck manages computational tasks, similar to Meta’s latest prototype and reminiscent of Apple’s early patents for AR devices connected to iPhones or Macs.
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Specialized Chips: Pico is reportedly working on custom chips specifically designed to minimize latency—reducing the delay between physical movement and what the user sees in AR, a feature critical for immersive experiences and inspired by Apple’s Vision Pro R1 chip.
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Focus on Comfort and Portability: This approach prioritizes making MR glasses that are practical for everyday wear, addressing increasing consumer preference for more discreet, glasses-like wearables.
Industry Context: Competing with Meta and Apple
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Meta: With its Quest and forthcoming MR glasses (codenamed Phoenix), Meta is currently the biggest player in consumer mixed reality devices. It is moving towards lightweight smart glasses and wearable AI devices, moving beyond traditional, bulky VR headsets.
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Apple: Apple’s Vision Pro, while powerful and feature-rich, is heavier and more expensive, targeting prosumers and developers rather than the mainstream. Apple had previously envisioned lighter AR glasses, but those efforts were paused in favor of the Vision Pro’s current form.
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ByteDance’s strategy is to bridge the gap—offering a lighter, more affordable, and easier-to-wear device that could appeal to a larger base of consumers.
Status and Market Impact
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The MR goggles are currently in development, with no confirmed release date or target markets announced. Reports note that ByteDance’s previous forays into VR hardware, such as the Pico 5, saw mixed results, but the company is refocusing on lightweight, practical devices under the project codename “Swan”.
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A significant advantage for ByteDance is its TikTok user base, which offers a massive potential audience for MR experiences integrated with social media and entertainment apps.
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ByteDance could play a major role in shaping the market alongside Meta, Apple, and others such as Samsung, Google, and Snap, all racing to win consumer preference for smart eyewear and AR/MR glasses in the coming years.
ByteDance is poised to intensify competition in the mixed reality market by developing lightweight, efficient MR goggles through its Pico division, directly rivaling products from Meta and Apple. With a significant focus on comfort and blending into everyday life, ByteDance’s approach could accelerate mainstream adoption of spatial computing technologies.
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