At their annual Connect event, Meta announced the Meta Quest Pro, which is a big departure from the standard Quest 2 in more ways than one. It has all the usual upgrades like increased performance, improved drivers, and improved optics, but it focuses more on mixed reality (MR) than virtual reality (VR).
We’ve seen this before in the first MR apps available for the Meta Quest 2, which used low-resolution black and white out-focus cameras to blend the virtual and physical worlds, but the Meta Quest Pro brings it to a new level level.
This is most evident in the design of the hull itself. In addition to having an HMD (head-mounted display) much thinner than that of the Quest 2 thanks to the new optics crepeyou will notice that the helmet has an open periphery design.
Simply put, this means you can see the real world at your periphery, without the light blockers of a traditional closed-back VR headset.
This doesn’t make much sense for VR, where you don’t want to be aware of what’s going on in your real environment, but it does for mixed reality.
Being able to see the real world at the edge while using VR apps feels more comfortable and natural, especially when combined with the new outer-focus cameras (to cross) from Meta.
The improved cameras not only bring color to mixed reality, but with four times the pixels of the Quest 2’s cameras, it’s also a high-resolution experience, helping to further blur the lines between the real world and the real world. virtual.
I attended a preview event for Meta Quest Pro before its official launch and can attest that it’s much more comfortable to have the real world on the periphery when using VR apps (I could try several).
This means I can be aware of what’s going on around me, great for use in work situations like Meta envisions, and I feel more confident walking in space than with a traditional VR headset. in outer focus mode.
However, it’s worth noting that while I had the opportunity to test out six RM demos at the event, there wasn’t a single demo suitable for VR, which further indicates what the Meta intentions.
I must admit that the mixed reality experience offered by the new Meta headset is impressive and brings the augmented future closer than ever.
Being able to paint on a virtual canvas and lay multiple brushes on a real-world table next to me is fascinating, and the idea of hanging my virtual artwork on my real-world wall is also pretty cool.
It’s not the skinny AR glasses we’ll see in the future, but it’s a good example of the kind of experiences we should expect.
But what about those of us who want to play a game of beat the saber in our new helmet? Meta has confirmed that all Quest 2 content can be used on the Quest Pro. Meta’s solution is a pair of side light blockers that attach magnetically when you want to feel more immersed (included in the box).
It doesn’t quite come close to the closed VR experience of the Quest 2, as the light is still visible under the helmet, but Meta says there will be a full light blocker designed for complete darkness (sold separately ).
The fact that it doesn’t come with the headset suggests that Meta is focusing on the mixed reality experience here, and those looking for a traditional VR experience should stick with the Meta Quest 2 to start with.
The real question is whether consumers (and developers) are ready to make the leap to mixed reality, or whether Meta should have perfected the virtual world before trying to blend the two. Only time will tell.
The Meta Quest Pro can now be reserved from $1,799.99 on the Meta website, but when they go on sale next October 25, you should also find them in stores like Amazon, MediaMarkt, Fnac or PcComponentes.
Original article published in Tech Advisor.
