Rumor mill: In line with a brand new leak, Meta plans to launch one other reasonably priced, consumer-focused headset for digital and augmented actuality subsequent yr. The technique might keep the corporate’s benefit in VR/AR as extra high-end fashions emerge from Sony, Apple, and Meta itself.
YouTuber Brad Lynch claims to have leaked the spec recordsdata for what will be the Meta Quest 3. The recordsdata point out a tool known as “Undertaking Stinson” with fewer bells and whistles than the headset the corporate plans to launch in October, doubtless providing clients a less expensive choice.
An essential element is that headset proven within the Undertaking Stenson recordsdata doesn’t embrace eye or face monitoring. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg already confirmed that the mannequin coming in October — doubtless known as the Meta Quest Professional — helps the function. Sony’s PlayStation VR2, coming subsequent yr, consists of eye monitoring, which may gain advantage participant enter and software program efficiency.
Just like the Quest Professional, Undertaking Stinson will run on a Snapdragon SoC and have pancake lenses, slimmer than these in some presently obtainable headsets. The 2023 product has two monitoring cameras for six levels of freedom, an array of two black-and-white and two RGB cameras, a depth sensor, 2 LCDs, mechanical IPD changes, a pogo pin connector for a charging dock, and a strap just like the Quest 2’s.
Stinson sounds concurrently like an improve from the Quest 2 and a extra reasonably priced choice towards the Quest Professional, which Meta could announce and launch at Meta Join on October 11. The Quest 2 is presently the preferred VR headset as a result of even after Meta raised its base value to $400, it is nonetheless considerably cheaper than kits from HTC or Valve. The Quest Professional equipment might value as a lot as $1,500, and Apple’s blended actuality headset would possibly run clients over $2,000 upon arrival someday subsequent yr.
Even with out eye monitoring, releasing a brand new mannequin at just a few hundred {dollars} would assist Meta proceed to face out among the many competitors. The Pico 4 — beginning at €429 — additionally appears to compete with Meta Quest. Sony hasn’t introduced a value for PS VR2, however it is going to most likely land nearer to the Quest 2’s value than the upcoming premium fashions.
Picture Credit score: Brad Lynch