The Meta Quest Pro Merges the Real World and the Metaverse for $1,500

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the corporate’s Meta Connect convention immediately with anticipated, however nonetheless extremely anticipated information: The firm’s subsequent digital actuality headset can be known as the Meta Quest Pro, and may even be the primary Quest product to supply a combined actuality expertise, bringing the metaverse and the true world collectively.

As the title implies, the Meta Quest Pro isn’t going to be a substitute for the $400 Meta Quest 2, however a extra superior various that’s geared in direction of productiveness and social purposes in VR —as a substitute of simply enjoyable, video games, and distinctive 360-degree experiences— facilitated by means of considerably upgraded {hardware}.

The Meta Quest Pro appears to be like sleeker than the Meta Quest 2—virtually like a pair of ski goggles—for a few causes. For starters, it now makes use of a curved cell battery located on the again of the consumer’s head, built-in into the top strap, which also needs to present a extra balanced really feel when worn. That’s a very good factor, as a result of the Pro is kind of a bit heavier than its predecessor, at 722 grams in comparison with 503 grams.

The pancake lenses on the Quest Pro are additionally now 40% thinner than the lenses used on the Quest 2, and permit the wearer to bodily see the room they’re standing in always, making the Pro higher suited as a piece instrument within the workplace. Being skinny isn’t all the time a profit right here, because it additionally permits extra ambient mild to sneak in, so Meta is together with a set of magnetic blinders that make the expertise really feel extra prefer it does on the Quest 2.

The headset’s Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ processor gives 50% extra processing energy with higher thermal dissipation than the Quest 2, whereas the Quest Pro’s LCD show gives 37% extra pixels per inch and 75% extra distinction by means of using native dimming. For the primary time, the Meta Quest Pro encompasses a full colour external-pointing RGB digicam to convey real-life and real-time imagery of the consumer’s setting into the VR world they’re experiencing, which additionally facilitates mixed-reality experiences, like 3D avatars hanging out in your precise lounge.

The Quest Pro additionally options inward dealing with cameras monitoring a consumer’s eyes and face, which not solely makes it simpler to make sure the headset is correctly fitted, however facilitates foveated rendering, the place high quality particulars solely should be drawn the place a consumer’s eyes are literally trying. And as a result of Meta is decided to make its 3D avatars as plausible as potential (or in any case, much less creepy), the face-tracking cameras can be utilized to translate IRL facial expressions to 3D characters.

The Quest Pro’s movement controllers have additionally gotten a significant redesign. With the Quest 2, their movement was tracked utilizing glowing LED rings, however the Pro’s controllers every characteristic a number of cameras able to monitoring their movement in 3D house all on their very own, similar to the headset does. This permits them to be smaller with out the plastic halo of their predecessors, whereas a requirement for AA batteries has been changed with rechargeable batteries that, alongside the headset, could be all charged collectively on the identical time on a brand new dock accent.

The Meta Quest Pro is out there for pre-order beginning immediately in 22 international locations for $1,499 and transport on October 25, however will solely be out there in a mannequin that ships with 256GB of onboard storage—you possibly can’t save a couple of bucks by choosing a mannequin with much less capability that requires you to juggle content material if you rapidly fill out. Games and apps designed for the Meta Quest 2 are totally suitable with the Quest Pro, however the Pro will ultimately characteristic some unique content material that gained’t be backwards suitable. However, you possibly can order a set of the brand new Pro controllers to be used with the Quest 2, however at $300, it’s a hefty improve.

Also at Connect, Meta teased a brand new pair of AR glasses made in collaboration with Rayban. But particulars are nonetheless pending.

This story is creating and can be up to date as information unfolds.