Mark Zuckerberg’s commitment to virtual worlds continues with the launch of the third generation of his virtual reality glasses, the MetaQuest 3 for $499, with price to be confirmed in Europe. It’s a big announcement not only for the launch, but also for when it’s made: right on the doorstep of WWDC 2023, where Apple is expected to announce its mixed reality glasses.
Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset will likely be a big leap forward for this technology, not just because of its specs, but also because of its lightness and usability. But we easily forget that Meta is the absolute reference in terms of accessible virtual reality, thanks to Oculus and its Quest devices. Although the Oculus brand has disappeared, its creators have continued in Meta to develop this new device which improved Meta Quest 2 in all aspects.
In fact, the Meta Quest 3 have been improved so much that the company has decided to continue selling Meta Quest 2, now on sale Price; the 128 GB model will be sold for $299.99 and the 256 GB model for $349.99 (price to be confirmed in Europe).
So are the Meta Quest 3
The Meta Quest 3 are the most powerful virtual reality glasses marketed by the company to date. They are based on the latest generation of Snapdragon processors, in collaboration with Qualcomm; Therefore, this model offers twice the graphics performance compared to the previous generation. This should result in games with more realistic and fluid graphics, as well as new experiences that harness this power.
And it is that Meta wants to make the definitive leap into mixed reality, and claims that its Meta Reality technology is capable of unite our physical world with the virtual world. To do this, this technology is able to understand how objects react in physical space and allows us to navigate in a natural and intuitive way. To do this, the glasses have high-fidelity color cameras, which reproduce what they record directly on the screens of the glasses, using machine learning to interact with virtual content and the physical world at the same time.
Meta gives as an example of this technology a virtual game board that appears on the kitchen table and allows us to play with dice and numbers that do not really exist; or we can also decorate our room using virtual reality application. Although the option of simply fleeing this world and entering virtual reality completely is also maintained. This is the first time that Meta has offered a unique device that allows both virtual reality and mixed reality.
Now with mixed reality
To achieve all of this, the Meta Quest 3 has two built-in 4MP color cameras, as well as a depth sensor that will help portray the world more faithfully. The controllers have also been redesigned, with a more ergonomic and streamlined shape but with significant advances in finger-tracking technology that make the finger rings that previous controllers had unnecessary. They also feature haptic technology, which simulates touch; in other words, we can feel what we are playing in the virtual world.
The new controls in Meta Quest 3
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Meta Quest 3 is that, despite all these advancements, they are actually 40% thinner than the previous model, which will make them easier to wear during long sessions. It should also be noted that the new model is fully compatible with all applications and games released for previous models, although of course new titles will be able to take better advantage of the new hardware.
The Meta Quest 3 will arrive in Europe next fall, with prices to be confirmed in Europe; in the US they will be more expensive, $499.99. Perhaps that’s why the Meta Quest 2 will continue to be sold at a discount.
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