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Highlights
- Meta has launched the Quest 3S, a budget-friendly virtual reality headset, targeting multitasking capabilities to compete with Apple's Vision Pro.
- The new headset features improved passthrough technology and is designed for various applications, although early demos faced some technical challenges.
- Alongside the Quest 3S, Meta is reducing the price of the Quest 3 and discontinuing the less successful Quest Pro and older Quest 2 models.
Meta, a prominent player of Communication sector has unveiled the Quest 3S, a new virtual reality headset designed to offer a more affordable option compared to its predecessor, the Quest 3. The latest device from Meta's Reality Labs division is set to launch on October 15, priced at $299, significantly lower than the $499 starting price of the Quest 3 introduced in 2023. This new headset is marketed as a multitasking device capable of handling various applications, including movie streaming, fitness apps, and gaming, positioning it as a competitor to Apple's Vision Pro headset, which retails at a considerably higher price.
During its Connect event in Menlo Park, California, Meta (NASDAQ: META) also showcased a prototype of its augmented reality smart glasses alongside new features for its Meta AI chatbot. The company has established its previous Quest devices as the leading VR headsets in the market, with millions sold due to aggressive marketing and competitive pricing. However, despite this success, a cultural phenomenon or robust software ecosystem surrounding VR has yet to materialize, with Meta reportedly investing over $65 billion into its hardware initiatives since acquiring Oculus in 2014.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has defended the company's substantial expenditures as a strategic move to maintain competitiveness against Apple in future hardware platforms. There were initial hopes that Apple’s entry into the VR market would trigger a surge in new applications and users; however, reports suggest that Apple’s sales figures for its headset remain modest, potentially due to its premium pricing.
The “S” in Quest 3S symbolizes "start," indicating the company's aim to make VR more accessible. Many of the new features introduced with the Quest 3S have parallels in Apple's Vision Pro, including an airplane mode and a virtual large movie theater experience. Meta has improved its passthrough technology, allowing users to interact with their surroundings while wearing the headset. A dedicated button to activate this feature has also been added.
The Quest 3S is positioned as a comprehensive computing device rather than merely a gaming console. During demonstrations, the device showcased its capability to run multiple applications simultaneously on virtual screens, including YouTube, a web browser, and music apps. However, the demo experience revealed some technical challenges, including app crashes and disappearing window controls.
In conjunction with the Quest 3S announcement, Meta announced a price reduction for the previous Quest 3 model, now available for $499. Furthermore, the company plans to discontinue the Quest Pro, its $999 headset launched in 2022, which struggled to gain traction in the market, along with the older Quest 2 headset. As Meta continues to push boundaries in virtual and augmented reality, the Quest 3S aims to attract a broader audience while expanding the company’s footprint in the tech landscape.
