Mark Zuckerberg drops a MAJOR hint that Meta will unveil a new device TODAY – here’s what we expect to see
- Mark Zuckerberg may be teasing the reveal of Meta’s Quest 3 VR headset today
- The tech giant confirmed this was being developed in an interview last year
- ‘Leaked’ drawings suggest Quest 3 will focus heavily on mixed reality usage
Mark Zuckerberg has dropped a major hint that Meta will unveil a new device later today.
In a cryptic post on his Instagram Stories, Zuckerberg posted a photo of himself looking down at something, obscured by a countdown to 3pm BST (7am PDT).
‘Sharing what we’ve been working on,’ the post read, as Zuckerberg posed against what appears to be the view from a virtual reality (VR) headset.
This teaser could suggest that Quest 3 is on the horizon, which Zuckerberg confirmed was being developed in an interview with The Information last year.
He told the publication: ‘We have product teams spun up now working on the next few generations of virtual reality and what Quest 3 and 4 are gonna look like.
Mark Zuckerberg may be teasing the reveal of Meta’s Quest 3 virtual reality headset today
‘One of the things I’m really excited about for future versions is getting eye tracking and face tracking in, because if you’re really excited about social presence you want to make sure the device has all the sensors to really kind of animate realistic avatars so you can communicate well.’
ANTICIPATED FEATURES OF THE QUEST 3 HEADSET
- May cost $300-$500
- Soft headband
- Pancake lens style
- More ‘lifelike’ mixed reality technology
- A four-camera array with depth sensors
- Faster performance
- No eye tracking technology
- A larger content library
Last year, YouTuber Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) leaked what he claimed were designs of the upcoming Quest headset.
He suggested the Quest 3 would bear some similarities to previous Quest models, drawing to its soft headband and lens style.
But it is believed that newer technology would also hold more advanced mixed reality features.
This would allow for a more seamless merge of the virtual and physical world with a wide range of practical applications.
Employers could use this to simulate high-risk scenarios in staff training, while teachers may use it for immersive learning experiences.
Mr Lynch drew to the headset’s four-camera array to suggest this, which was located on the front of the model alongside a depth sensor.
But the YouTuber was surprised by the headset’s lack of eye tracking technology, despite Zuckerberg’s visions in 2022.
In his video reveal, Mr Lynch said: ‘I think it’s probably more important right now to bring mixed reality development faster rather than just implementing iron face tracking into actual consumer devices.
‘Leaked’ drawings suggest the Quest 3 headset will focus heavily on mixed reality usage
The YouTuber was surprised by the headset’s lack of eye tracking technology, despite Zuckerberg’s visions in 2022
https://youtube.com/watch?v=tq57TPTsBQQ%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26start%3D153%26hl%3Den-US
‘So big focus on AR and VR here, not a big focus on social experiences which will probably be pushed towards the higher end devices.
‘As these things get cheaper, newer chips might add more camera bandwidth. But for now, big surprise, no IR face tracking built into Quest 3 from the current prototype images.’
A prototype was then later tested by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg who claimed it was ‘far lighter and thinner’ than the previous Quest 2 model.
Again, Mr Gurman drew to its more ‘lifelike’ mixed reality features as a major feature, using colour cameras that present the real world more accurately.
‘Overall, I came away impressed with the mixed-reality focus of the Quest 3, the much-improved video pass-through capabilities, the faster performance and the large content library,’ he said.
While the price of Quest 3 has not yet been established, Zuckerberg hinted that it would range between $300 and $500, according to Stratechery.
This would give Quest 3 a competitive edge over the anticipated Apple headset which is expected to cost £3,000.
Mr Gurman added: ‘With that in mind, I think the Quest 3 could make some noise this holiday season, especially as XR is top of mind for consumers.’
MailOnline has approached Meta for comment.
READ MORE: Apple’s most radical product yet? MailOnline reveals what the tech giant’s first AR headset could look like – as experts say it could ‘replace the iPhone’
Apple is less than two months away from unveiling a mixed reality headset that could ‘replace the iPhone’, according to an insider.
Expected to be called ‘Reality Pro’, the headset will transport notifications, messages, directions and more from your iPhone to right in front of your eyes.
After nearly eight years of development, it will be unveiled at Apple’s annual developer conference in June, according to respected leaker Mark Gurman.
But at a rumoured $3,000 (£2,400), the device could be restricted to only the most ardent – and wealthy – of Apple fans.
MailOnline takes a close look at the product and whether it’ll be Apple’s newest success story or a disastrous flop.
Expected to be called ‘Reality Pro’, the headset will transport notifications, messages, directions and more from your iPhone to in front of your eyes
Source: Read Full Article
