Meta Quest 3: The mixed reality glasses from Zuckerberg
28.9.2023
Translation: machine translated
The Meta Quest 3 is intended to "merge the virtual world with the physical environment", announced Mark Zuckerberg at yesterday's Meta Connect. He presented new application examples that whet my appetite for more.
Mixed reality is the magic word. It stands for the combination of virtual reality (VR) with augmented reality (AR). The latter refers to the fading in of digital content into the real environment. This requires appropriate glasses or a smartphone. Or the new headset from Meta.
The Quest 3 is the successor to the Quest 2 virtual reality glasses. VR glasses create a virtual environment in which users can fully immerse themselves. While you move around in virtual worlds, you block out the real environment. Meta Quest 3 is now set to change this. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, sees the glasses as the first mixed reality headset suitable for the masses.
Mixed reality to expand virtual reality
With the help of the eye-catching cameras on the front of the headset and several built-in sensors, the Quest 3 is designed to create a virtual image of the real environment. Through this so-called "mapping", the rangefinders detect objects in the real room such as walls and furniture. According to Meta, the display, known as passthrough, is then created in the Quest 3 "in full colour and with depth perception".
Zuckerberg promised in his presentation that you could take cover behind your couch in a mixed reality shooter while being shot at. That would be a completely new gaming experience. My work colleague Phil will test how well this works in a few weeks' time and report back.
Source: Meta
As a user, you can fill the image of the real space with digital content and, for example, build virtual Lego worlds on the living room table, invite friends to play board games or open portals to game worlds. You can also embellish your mixed reality flat with digital decorations and, for example, display virtual awards, hang cinema screens on the wall or float a browser window above the table.
In this respect, the Quest 3 application is reminiscent of the significantly more expensive "Vision Pro" from Apple.
Games and applications
Zuckerberg announced that "Xbox Cloud Gaming" will be available for the Quest 3 from December. You will then be able to access the Xbox game library and play its games on a screen in your virtual environment.
Of course, you can also switch off Passthrough and focus exclusively on VR. The game "Assassin's Creed Nexus", developed exclusively for VR goggles, is due to be released in November and will captivate players with better graphics and more details. The new shooter "Super Rumble" is set to provide multiplayer fun.
The "Roblox" gaming platform is now also available for the Meta Quest library. In addition, there are also integrations for business tools such as Excel or Word, fitness apps or YouTube VR with virtual reality content. Overall, Meta advertises that users can access over 500 applications in the Meta library alone.
Technology and design
Technically, the Quest 3 has once again made significant improvements. The graphics performance is said to have doubled compared to the previous model. The resolution per eye is 2,064 x 2,208 pixels (1,920 x 1,832 in the Quest 2) and the refresh rate is 90 Hz as standard. The sound of the built-in headphones has also been optimised compared to the Quest 2. They are said to be 40 per cent louder and deliver better bass.
Source: Meta
The higher computing and graphics performance of Meta Quest 3 should make future games look better and run more smoothly. This is particularly important for graphically complex games, such as the aforementioned "Assassins Creed Nexus", where the player moves around in virtual historical game worlds. The developer Ubisoft is known for its detailed design of historical locations.
The Quest 3 is less bulky, but at 515 grams weighs just as much as the Quest 2 (516 grams). It is also said to be suitable for people who wear glasses and can be better adapted to different head shapes and hairstyles. Personally, I hope that the headset will also fit better when my hair is tied back. At least that was a problem with my old Oculus Rift, which resulted in unnecessary sweating during motion-intensive applications.
According to the manufacturer, the battery should provide an average usage time of around 2.2 hours. Charging takes around 2.3 hours. You can connect the Quest 3 to your PC with a cable not included in the scope of delivery or via Air Link (WLAN) to utilise its higher performance.
You can pre-order the Quest 3 now in the Swiss shop. Delivery will start on 10 October. The glasses will be available later in Germany.
Cover image: Meta
Feels just as comfortable in front of a gaming PC as she does in a hammock in the garden. Likes the Roman Empire, container ships and science fiction books. Focuses mostly on unearthing news stories about IT and smart products.