Meta in Talks for Exclusive VR Content with Disney and A24 for New Light Headset Loma
Meta is reportedly in discussions with major entertainment companies, including Disney and A24, to secure exclusive streaming content for its upcoming VR headset, according to The Wall Street Journal. This new device, codenamed "Loma," is designed to look like glasses and includes an external compute puck that can be slipped into a pocket. The company is aiming to acquire both new and existing licensed content that will either be exclusive to its platform or available as timed exclusives. The external puck design of Loma closely resembles the recently rumored "Puffin" headset, which is also said to be under development. According to UploadVR, Puffin is an incredibly lightweight and open-periphery device connected to a tethered compute puck. It's possible that Loma and Puffin are the same project or that they will merge during development. Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, has publicly stated that the company continually develops various prototypes, many of which never reach the market. Following The Wall Street Journal’s report on Wednesday, Bosworth reiterated his previous comments, noting that "stories based on chatter about one individual decision will never give the real picture." This suggests that Loma, Puffin, or other similar devices could still be in the prototyping phase. The report also indicates that Meta plans to set a price for Loma that falls between the $300 starting price of its Quest series and the $3,500 base price of Apple’s Vision Pro. By positioning Loma in this price range, Meta aims to offer a premium VR experience while remaining more accessible than Apple’s high-end offering. Meta's pursuit of exclusive content highlights its strategy to differentiate itself in the competitive VR market. By securing partnerships with leading media companies, the company hopes to attract a wider audience and enhance user engagement on its new platform. If successful, this approach could reinforce Meta's position as a leader in virtual reality technology and content.