Meta's Mixed Reality Glasses Hit a Snag: What's the Hold-Up?

Meta has decided to slow down the launch of its new mixed reality glasses, nicknamed "Phoenix. " Originally set for the second half of 2026, the release is now pushed back to the first half of 2027. This delay was announced by Maher Saba, VP of Reality Labs Foundation, in a memo to employees. The reason? To ensure the product is polished and reliable. The delay was also confirmed by metaverse leaders Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns. They mentioned that this extra time will help them fine-tune the details. They emphasized that they won't compromise on quality, even if it means taking more time. Meta chose not to comment on the matter. The "Phoenix" glasses have a design similar to goggles and come with a puck for power. Two employees who saw the device mentioned that it looks a lot like Apple's Vision Pro. There was some doubt about the puck, but it was kept to make the glasses lighter and prevent overheating. In a recent meeting with CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Reality Labs leaders got feedback on their 2026 plans. The focus was on making the business sustainable and delivering high-quality experiences. This means many teams will need to adjust their plans, but it's not an opportunity to add more features. Meta is also working on a new "limited edition" wearable device called "Malibu 2, " set for release in 2026. Additionally, they are developing the next-generation Quest device, which will focus on immersive gaming and offer significant improvements. In October, Meta reorganized its metaverse unit, appointing Aul and Cairns as co-leaders. The company is also considering budget cuts of up to 30% within its Reality Labs division. This could impact employees working on Horizon Worlds, the virtual spaces platform. Meta is also expanding its AI hardware push by acquiring Limitless, a startup that makes AI-powered pendant devices. This acquisition was announced on Friday.