Subj : Pico's next XR headset could be lighter and smaller than ever, bu To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Thu Jul 17 2025 20:45:08 Pico's next XR headset could be lighter and smaller than ever, but I hope it just skips to AR glasses instead Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:30:00 +0000 Description: TikToks parent company, ByteDance, is reportedly developing a brand new XR device, but not the one I want. FULL STORY ====================================================================== TikToks parent company, ByteDance, is reportedly developing a brand new XR device under its Pico brand mixed-reality goggles to challenge the Puffin (perhaps now codenamed Phoenix) device Meta is said to be working on. I've tested both of Picos last two XR devices, the Pico 4 and Pico 4 Ultra, and while those devices were solid, they had a few significant flaws that were impossible to overlook. Frankly, changing their design to goggles wont solve those issues either. While Im excited by The Information s report (behind a paywall) for a slimmer approach to XR tech, I believe Pico should take things further and slim down until it gives us smart glasses, either with just AI or AI and AR capabilities to match the products being promised by Meta, Android XR, and others. Pico's deisgn is alreday very goggles-like (Image credit: Future) Whats wrong with Pico? In my Pico 4 review and my subsequent Pico 4 Ultra review , I gave each device four stars. Hardware-wise, they boast some solid specs at a very affordable price, and with unique add-ons like their motion trackers, you can bring impressively accurate foot and body tracking to compatible titles. However, they both struggled severely when it came to software and availability. Pico doesn't have Arkham Shadow (Image credit: Camouflaj / Oculus Studios) Software-wise Pico hasnt offered users anything they cant get on Meta, while Meta has plenty of exclusive games and services that you cant enjoy on Pico. That is, with the exception of a dedicated TikTok app you can find on Pico, but if youre concerned about the soullessness of doomscrolling on your phone theres a tier beyond which is doomscrolling in a dark void while immersed in VR. Ive also felt that the Pico headset operating system isnt on par with Metas Horizon OS. As for availability, while Picos tech is purchasable here in the UK and several other regions, it is not available in the US. One of the main benefits of VR is you can connect to anyone anywhere, but thats not possible if the product isnt available to everyone in the first place especially a key country like America. (Image credit: ByteDance) How would glasses solve this? Mixed reality goggles would make Picos tech slimmer, but without improved software and a solid suite of exclusives, it wouldnt make the next-gen XR device any more appealing. Whats the use of a well-designed, powerful piece of kit if it isnt as useful as its biggest rival? AR glasses or AI glasses are a different ball game. In AR, Meta doesnt have the monopoly it effectively has in the VR space, nor does it have the same quality and quantity of exclusive software. That is to say that it would be much easier for Pico and others such as Googles Android XR projects to come out the gate with glasses that are (from both a hardware and software perspective) on par or even ahead of what Meta has to offer. (Image credit: Meta) Pico's glasses could offer Bluetooth audio, a competent AI, and cameras for capturing content from a first-person perspective. It could replace Metas ability to livestream directly to Instagram with the ability to stream straight to TikTok arguably a more useful skill in the eyes of content creators. None of this is to say Pico should give up in the VR and MR spaces entirely, just that the leaked goggles redesign wont solve my biggest issues with its devices. Well have to wait and see what Pico and ByteDance give us next. Im hoping it's glasses, but I wont be upset if it's goggles that can prove me wrong. You may also like The Meta Quest 3S is fantastic, but theres one big reason to choose the Quest 3 instead Pico just updated its best VR headset feature and now I'm even more jealous my Meta Quest 3 doesn't have it too The best VR headsets in 2025 ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/picos-ne xt-xr-headset-could-be-lighter-and-smaller-than-ever-but-i-hope-it-just-skips- to-ar-glasses-instead --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .