Apple launched its XR headset, the Vision Pro, last month, and Samsung is expected to launch its first XR headset before the end of this year. To compete with these two tech giants, Meta has joined hands with LG to expand its XR platform. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with top LG executives for a potential partnership in the XR segment.
Meta-LG partnership could result in the launch of next-generation XR devices and ecosystem
LG has announced that it is ramping up its strategic alliance with Meta for its Extended Reality (XR) ventures. The companies aim to combine their strengths to drive innovation in the XR space. Meta and LG will collaborate on content, products, platforms, and services. Meta will likely offer its Quest platform and services, while LG could help with the hardware (cameras, lenses, and displays).
During Mark Zuckerberg's ongoing trip to South Korea, he met with LG’s top management, including CEO William Cho and Park Hyoung-sei, at LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul. During a two-hour meeting, these top executives discussed business strategies and considerations about the next-generation XR devices. LG Electronics CEO William Cho also tried the Meta Quest 3 headset and the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.
LG said in its press release that it plans to bring content, quality, and service experience from its TV business to create an XR ecosystem in collaboration with Meta. LG Electronics William Cho said, “We see opportunities for next-gen personal devices in the XR business arena.” LG has confirmed that it has created a dedicated XR business unit in the Home Entertainment Company as a part of its recent restructuring. So, it is likely that we will see an XR headset from the company.
Over the past few years, LG has shut down some businesses, including the smartphone business, and is investing in areas of future growth. Since the XR space is likely to boom, thanks to the launch of the Apple Vision Pro, LG doesn't want to miss out like it did with smartphones. So, it will likely develop a new generation of XR headsets and related platforms in collaboration with Meta to compete with Apple and Samsung.
Samsung is partnering with Google for XR headset ecosystem
Samsung is collaborating with Google for its XR headset. It is expected to use Google's Android version customized for XR headsets and Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor for its first XR headset. The company, like LG, created a separate XR development team. It would be interesting to see a three-way battle between Apple, LG, and Samsung in the XR space. It will remind us of the old times from the smartphone segment.
