Virtual Reality

[wakka]

Based on the article (inaccuracies notwithstanding) and the additional inside baseball from Asura above, it sounds like a really intriguing product - especially as you know it will be priced in a sensible fashion unlike Apple's unit.

[Asura]

Based on the article (inaccuracies notwithstanding) and the additional inside baseball from Asura above, it sounds like a really intriguing product - especially as you know it will be priced in a sensible fashion unlike Apple's unit.

Bear in mind, it's going to be more expensive than the Quest 2 (Meta has alread said this). Though who knows what that means in practice.

We'll know more tomorrow, hopefully.

[wakka]

Yeah I saw in the Bloomberg they said $500.

I think either way it will be dramatically cheaper than Apple's one though!

[MartyG]

There's a real issue in the price ceiling for consumer VR and the costs of manufacturing. Pancake lenses won't be enough to shift units if the overall experience hasn't really moved on from Quest 2 (and from what I gather, it's still using XR2, so there's no real processing advantage there), especially if there's a premium price attached to it.

[Asura]

There's a real issue in the price ceiling for consumer VR and the costs of manufacturing. Pancake lenses won't be enough to shift units if the overall experience hasn't really moved on from Quest 2 (and from what I gather, it's still using XR2, so there's no real processing advantage there), especially if there's a premium price attached to it.

It's using the next XR2.

It's confusing, but the successor to that chip isn't the XR3; the manufacturer already makes a chipset called XR3 and it's for something totally different. It's going to be "first generation XR2", "second generation XR2", etc.

The Quest 3's major innovations are going to be the pancake lenses (which I think makes a pretty huge difference; everyone I know who has put on a Quest Pro has marveled at it), but also the 3D sensor which means you won't have to do any roomspace setup (other than looking around), and allowing for many AR ideas. It also means if you get too close to your sofa, it could bring bits of your sofa, in 3D, into the world, so it'll be more natural than the guardian we use at present.

These seem small moves but I think they're going to be a big deal.

[MartyG]

These things aren't important to the unwashed masses tho - like anything, it doesn't have to be great (which is why people think Spotify sounds fine), they just have to be good enough - Quest 2 has that and a relatively low entry price. If Quest 3 pushes that too high, it won't sell even with pancake lenses.

And yes I'd agree they are better (I have them in my Pico 4 which I suspect will be of comparable quality to Quest 3), but it won't matter if it's £600+. Quest 2 sold well because the entry price was £300, not because of the tech inside it.

[Neon Ignition]

Quest 2 also sold well because it was a great, distinct escapism device in the midst of multiple lockdowns. Whatever the price Quest 3 will sell significantly less units overall, the momentum of VR is escaping too quickly and the factors aren't as in its favour as they were back when novelty and online buzz existed also. Outside of industry and a couple of small companies that still produce new units for consumers via PC I feel we're getting into the mass market attempt endgame now

[Brad]

I think it doesn't matter how good it is, or how cheap it is. The masses just don't care generally. Those that wanted to give it a go already have. The only buyers will be those few enthusiasts who might upgrade from whatever they're using now. I count myself as an enthusiast but except for planned flying or racing sessions with a buddy I can't be arsed to put it on and just use a big TV.

[Asura]

Oooh, I've "heard something"... I'm not going to restore my failed Street Fighter 6 pre-order until after the show at 6pm, in case I need to make a sizeable purchase.

[MartyG]

I assume you're talking about Zuck's Quest 3 tease? It doesn't sound like it's any kind of product launch - that's not due until Oct from everything that's been said.

7 AM PT is 3 PM BST

[Asura]

I assume you're talking about Zuck's Quest 3 tease? It doesn't sound like it's any kind of product launch - that's not due until Oct from everything that's been said.

7 AM PT is 3 PM BST

The Meta Quest Gaming Showcase start time is set for Thursday, June 1 at6pm BST / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT. The event will last for 40 minutes, however there will also be a pre and post-show.

I was working off that from Google. Is it wrong?

[MartyG]

The thing Zuckerberg posted on Instagram had a countdown ending at 7 am PT, and the Gaming Showcase is at 10 am PT.

[MartyG]

And here you go



Coming this fall, "Starting at" $499. So I assume $800 with the pro controllers.

Bloody vertical video.

No cameras in the controllers











Compared to Quest Pro controllers.

[Asura]

Compared to Quest Pro controllers.

They've clarified the new controllers track similarly to the regular Q2's, just they're removed the ring (people are saying the LEDs from the ring are inside the controllers, that raised black area). Apparently you'll be able to use the Pro Controllers for their improved tracking if you so-choose (so no need to sell mine, as they're still going to offer that improvement).

[MartyG]

You can get Quest Pro for as little as £700 now sealed if you hawk the eBay auctions. Plenty of BIN for not much more than that. Need to see if it's much different tech-wise to Quest 3, there wasn't much in the way of details there.