Overview

• ByteDance is reportedly developing mixed reality AR goggles codenamed Phoenix weighing about 100 grams with digital passthrough, according to The Information.
• The prototype comes after ByteDance’s Pico division scaled back VR efforts and canceled its flagship headset launch in 2023 to focus on lighter eyewear.
• Meta abandoned its Quest headset last year in favor of its own Phoenix-branded goggles and has sold over one million Ray-Ban smart glasses.
• Google is advancing Android XR and its Gemini AI model through partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to embed hands-free digital assistants in stylish frames.
• Industry analysts say consumers increasingly prefer lightweight smart glasses despite sacrifices in display resolution and processing power.