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ByteDance Enters MR: Pico’s Secret Device Challenges Meta’s Dominance

2025-07-15mr

Tech giant ByteDance, the force behind global short video leader TikTok, is making waves again! According to foreign media, its VR arm Pico is secretly developing a disruptive mixed reality (MR) headset. This product is not only lightweight and portable, but also directly targets Meta—signaling a new round of MR competition is about to begin!

ByteDance Enters MR: Is Pico’s Secret Device a Game Changer?

In the fast-moving tech world, every ByteDance move stirs up a storm. Now, reports say the TikTok owner is quietly entering the MR race, with its VR powerhouse Pico at the helm.

Pico is said to be working on a disruptive MR headset aimed squarely at Meta. This move is set to heat up the already competitive MR landscape, hinting at an epic showdown!

Pico’s “Lightweight” Secret: Featherweight Yet Powerful?

When you think of VR/AR gear, do you picture bulky helmets? Not this time. Pico’s new MR headset is all about being lightweight—reportedly similar in size to the Bigscreen Beyond VR headset, which weighs just 0.127kg! How? The secret is externalizing the compute unit—most processing is handled by a separate, wired “puck.” This approach is reminiscent of Meta’s Orion AR prototype, which also used a wireless “puck” to reduce headset weight. Clearly, top players are converging on the same lightweight vision.

Pico is also developing custom chips to process sensor data, aiming to minimize latency between AR visuals and your physical movements. Imagine virtual objects blending seamlessly with reality—no lag, just smooth, immersive experiences!

Facing Meta Head-On: The MR Showdown Intensifies!

Pico’s strategy is clearly aimed at Meta. Meta has long dominated VR/AR with its Quest headsets, but recently shifted focus to lighter MR glasses, even delaying Quest 4. Their Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses hint that future Quest devices may look more like regular glasses than traditional VR headsets.

It’s like two martial arts masters converging on the same techniques—both ByteDance’s Pico and Meta are racing toward lightweight, low-latency MR. The next MR battle will be about user experience, interaction innovation, and ecosystem building—not just hardware specs. Whoever best fuses virtual and real worlds will win the future.

Market Prospects and Challenges: Can Pico Break into the US?

MR glasses have huge potential—not just for entertainment, but as the next-gen computing platform for work, learning, and life. But Pico faces big hurdles in the US, where its VR headsets aren’t sold and TikTok has faced data security scrutiny. Can ByteDance’s MR device enter and win over US users? The challenge is real.

Still, competition drives innovation. ByteDance’s Pico will accelerate MR industry progress, pushing more players to invest in R&D. For consumers, this means more choices and cooler, more immersive MR tech ahead.

The Future Is Here—Are You Ready?

From VR to MR, the line between virtual and real is blurring. ByteDance’s Pico is not just showing off its tech muscle, but also reading the future of tech trends. The road ahead is tough, but this spirit of innovation and competition makes the tech world so exciting. When we put on lightweight MR glasses and interact with digital content in the real world, we’ll remember how ByteDance and Meta’s MR rivalry changed everything. Stay tuned—the MR show is just beginning!