Is Facebook trying to create a monopoly in virtual reality with Oculus?

Meta Quest 3 Promises Immersive VR Experience With New Mixed-Reality Features and Sleeker Design

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has finally announced the launch of its much-awaited virtual reality headset, the Meta Quest 3. The new headset boasts of a complete overhaul and promises improved performance, new mixed-reality features, and a sleeker, more comfortable design. It has a starting price of $500 and is set to launch later this year. The question now is whether the Meta Quest 3 would be able to meet up with the expectations of gamers, keep up with the competition, and become the new VR headset to beat.

Meta Quest 3 Price and Release Date

The Meta Quest 3 will be launched later this year with a starting price of $500 for the 128GB model. There will also be a higher storage option (likely 256GB), and the price would be announced soon. Pre-orders are not currently available, but interested buyers can sign up for email updates on the Meta Quest 3 landing page. Meta also announced that there would be more updates during its Meta Connect event on September 27.

Big Improvements Across the Board with Meta Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3 is a complete redesign of the company’s popular VR headset, combining a smaller build with more powerful internal guts. The headset is 40% slimmer than its predecessor and has three large camera sensors on its front side. The Touch controllers have also gotten a complete makeover, with the new Touch Plus sporting a more compact look and more advanced tracking and haptics that line up with the pricey $1000 Meta Quest Pro.

Despite being slimmer, the Quest 3 promises a boost in power, which comes loaded with a next-gen Qualcomm processor that doubles the graphics performance of the Quest 2. The higher-resolution display combined with the more powerful headset guarantees a more immersive gaming experience with better visuals and smoother gameplay.

Meta Quest 3 supports Meta Reality, a mixed-reality feature that was previously exclusive to the higher-end Quest Pro. Meta Reality offers gamers a chance to experience mixed-reality experiences that combine the real-world with the virtual one. For instance, players can play virtual board games like Demeo on their real-life coffee table or use mixed reality to do things like painting on a virtual canvas or checking out a digital construction plan. The Quest 3’s compatibility with the entire Quest software library, including Quest 2 games like Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, and other interactive workout experiences, gives it an advantage over the recently released PlayStation VR 2, which is not compatible with previous-gen PlayStation VR titles.

Meta Quest 2 Gets a Price Cut and a Power Boost

The Quest 2, considered the best VR headset, just got more affordable with a price cut that took effect from June 4. The Quest 2 now starts at $300 for the 128GB model and $350 for the 256GB model. This reduction in price also coincides with better performance, as an upcoming software update will boost the internals of both the Quest 2 and Quest Pro, resulting in 26% better processing performance and 19% better graphics performance. Dynamic Resolution Scaling has been added to both headsets, which ensures a smoother gaming experience without any dropped frames. This boost in performance makes the Quest 2 an even better value than ever before and is great news for existing owners.

Editorial: A Boost for Virtual Reality

The announced upgrades to Virtual Reality technology are a welcomed development in the gaming industry. For gamers, the Meta Quest 3 promised immersive experiences with the new mixed-reality features. Its compatibility with the entire Quest software library made it a more attractive option over the PlayStation VR 2, and its sleek, compact design, better graphics, and performance upgrades give it an edge over other VR headsets in the market. The Meta Quest 2 is also a lot more affordable and has better performance to compete with its high-end rivals.

While VR technology is still relatively new, the upgrades to existing headsets show that technology companies are making strides in improving its quality, and this will spur a middle ground for consumers who want to enjoy immersive experiences but do not want to spend significant sums of money on high-end VR gear. However, as a parent company with a monopoly watchdog on its radar, this move by Meta to refresh its VR lineup raises questions about whether Facebook is solidifying its hold on the VR market.

Advice: Investing in VR Headsets

The Meta Quest 3 and Quest 2 offer excellent value for their price, and these investments would give gamers access to immersive gaming experiences. Gamers can choose to wait for the newer Meta Quest 3 or invest in the more affordable, better-performing Quest 2. However, it’s important to note that VR technology is still new, and this may be just the beginning of what is to come. Early adopters might want to consider if investing in VR headsets is worth their while at this point. It’s also essential to keep an eye on market trends and signs of emerging technology to ensure that VR investments would not become outdated too soon.