The Quest Pro 2 has been shelved as Meta shifts its gears to focus on its 3rd generation of the Quest line of AR/VR/MR headsets. News of Meta’s change in priorities is not a completely unforeseen decision given that the Quest 3 is already said to be launching with impressive specs and at a competitive price. The Quest Pro launched in October 2022 with a price tag of $1,499, which was then lowered to $1,000, and while that may now seem like a low price compared to Apple’s recently announced $3,499 Vision Pro, consumers could show more interest in a more affordable $499 option that will be provided by the Quest 3.
Other factors in the decision are said to include issues potential technological defects during manufacturing and desired performance. Meta had been working with British firm Plessey to use its AR microLED tech which offered a brighter image but then chose to go back to using LCoS, or liquid crystal, over concerns of defects during the manufacturing process. Meanwhile, ZDNet (via The Information) reports that the aforementioned Quest Pro will continue to be made for as long as manufacturers have supplies to do so. The Quest 3 is expected to launch sometime in Fall 2023.
Per ZDNet:
“Reports from The Information claim that Goertek, the Quest Pro manufacturer, will only build headsets as long as the available material supply allows. Meta told its suppliers as early as the beginning of the year that it would not need any new components for the Quest Pro.”
Expanding Market
As Meta shifts its gears with its headset lineup, and Apple prepares to launch its Vision Pro, while Google, HTC, and other companies, prepare their next line of AR/VR/MR headsets it’s clear that the market continues to show promise for manufacturers. Headset display technology is continuing to make strides with 8K lenses and improved image processing. However, higher-priced models are becoming more commonplace so Meta could be looking at taking advantage of the lower-priced segment for a greater amount of sales there.
Discussion (3 replies)
Join Discussion →I'm curious about VR and want to try it at some point, but as long as they require a online account, they are a never buy for me.
I'd be leaning more towards one of the HTC Vive products if I bought in today.
I do not buy hardware that requires being tied to online accounts.
That said, it will probably be some time before I buy anything VR/AR. I want there to be actual good titles to use first, not just stupid parlor games like the Wii.
Once every AAA title comes out with VR support out of the box, then I'll start thinking about it.
I have absolutely zero interest in "the metaverse". I will never create a 3D avatar of myself and attend some form of dumbass VR second life bullshit. Not going to happen. I will die on this hill. If this becomes something people do at work in meetings, I will quit.
I find it interesting that even
FacebookMeta (sorry) employees want nothing to with the Metaverse:[URL unfurl="true"]https://technewsspace.com/ma-employees-do-not-want-to-work-in-a-metaverse-that-they-are-developing/[/URL]
I'm in the same boat, I'd like to try it but I'm not willing to spend €1000+ on a device that may potentially end up collecting dust. Actually I was inches from pulling the trigger on a Oculus set, just before they announced the facebook account requirement. I dodged a bullet there.
I was viciously attacked by VR fans for suggesting that it is just a fad, but it is already loosing popularity compared to the peak of its hype when Alyx came out. Which seems to be proving me right. There are no AAA VR games in the pipeline that I know of. VR is only supported by a handful of indie titles and niche games like racing / flight sims.
But it is a chicken and the egg problem. You can't make a proper VR game if it must also be playable without VR. And there aren't enough VR users out there to restrict your customer base to just them. Unless you are willing to loose money to help the sales of VR sets. Or you can recoup development costs by selling hardware like valve does with the index. And even they don't seem to be that enthusiastic after Alyx to make more VR games.