Meta unveiled its new mixed reality headset, dubbed the Quest Pro at its online Meta Connect 2022 conference yesterday.
Surprisingly, the headset is priced at US$1,499, which is almost four times the price of its predecessor Quest 2, which starts at $399.
With the new headset, Meta is setting its sights on working professionals with a long-term potential of even replacing the laptop in work environments.
The new headset supports a “full-colour mixed reality experience”, which means that users can enjoy augmented and virtual reality experiences on the Metaverse.
Meet @MetaQuestVR Pro. Built to expand the possibilities of virtual and mixed reality — and get you closer to feeling like you're together in person, no matter where you are in the world.Available 10.25. Pre-order today at https://t.co/CHKD8FfaV0 pic.twitter.com/8nMyYgtNij
— Meta (@Meta) October 11, 2022
How can it change work?
Swaying from the traditional gaming audience, the Quest Pro features experiences that are targeting the corporate working professional.
In particular, VR/AR meetings could be right on our doorstep.
The device’s face and eye-tracking capabilities can be used to humanise the avatars in a better manner – avatars will finally have legs!
Interestingly, Meta is collaborating with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) to offer Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 office-productivity software on new devices.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appeared on video alongside Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday announcing the partnership and promoting the new headset, saying, “we are going through a once-in-a-lifetime change in how we work”.
Meta is also launching new 'self-tracking' controllers alongside its new headset, which means each controller has built-in sensors that can “track their position in 3D space independent of the headset”, according to Meta’s blog post about the product.
This means that designers, architects, and creators can use these controllers to create 3D designs in thin air with or without the help of the headset.
Sneak peek of the future today at Meta Connect ????:✅ Our first mixed reality device @MetaQuestVR Pro
✅ The start of a new way to work in the metaverse
✅ Cutting-edge @RealityLabs research to build technology that connects people
Read more ???? https://t.co/Ryf01kVM4c pic.twitter.com/2c1i7AAm7U
— Meta (@Meta) October 11, 2022
What is Metaverse?
Ever since Facebook (NASDAQ:META) Inc’s rebrand as Meta, the term metaverse has become the new buzzword in the tech space.
Trailblazing this new frontier is Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is triggering a new wave of interest in the metaverse.
Zuckerberg said: “In the metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine — get together with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create — as well as completely new experiences that don’t fit how we think about computers or phones today.
“In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parent's living room to catch up. This will open up more opportunities no matter where you live.
“You’ll be able to spend more time on what matters to you, cut down time in traffic, and reduce your carbon footprint,” he said.
Simply put, the end goal is an immersive virtual world where people live, work and socialise connected to VR devices in the comfort of their own homes.