Meta has just dropped a bombshell by revealing the launch date of its newest mixed-reality device, the Meta Quest 3. The most exciting part? It’s hitting the shelves sooner than you might have anticipated.
The Meta Quest 3, the successor to the popular Quest 2, boasts a sleeker and lighter design. Its aesthetics feature a fresh look, adorned with three distinctive pill-shaped camera modules on the front. However, the real game-changer lies in its emphasis on augmented reality (AR) over being merely a virtual reality (VR) gadget (Don’t worry it is also VR).
Some VR influencers have been hands-on already including Australia’s own Naysy
AR, the technology that blends virtual digital content seamlessly with the real world, is at the forefront of this device’s capabilities. The Meta Quest 3 achieves this integration through full-colour passthrough and depth perception sensors, forging a harmonious connection between reality and the digital realm.
Imagine playing a game like Stranger Things, where portals to the eerie “Upside Down” world open up on your walls, and otherworldly creatures emerge. Or picture bouncing a virtual ball off your wall, witnessing it realistically rebound off your table, floor, and even a nearby bookstand. This is the thrilling potential of this device, where the lines between the virtual and tangible blur into one captivating experience.
The device boasts remarkable spatial understanding, making it adept at recognizing and interacting with your environment. The Meta Quest 3 comes equipped with improved hand tracking, allowing users to navigate the interface with gestures, mimicking the experience of using a virtual tablet.
Adding to the immersive experience, the hand grips now feature haptic feedback, enhancing the feel of your gameplay. Additionally, Meta has announced that Xbox Game Pass Cloud gaming will be accessible on the device starting this December, offering even more gaming options.
Sports enthusiasts are also in for a treat, as X Stadium allows users to watch live sporting events with a front-row seat experience, all within the confines of mixed reality.
Productivity takes centre stage on the Meta Quest 3, with the upcoming launch of Windows 365 and Microsoft 365. This means that your device can seamlessly transform into a versatile workstation, handling tasks like spreadsheet management and document creation with ease.
Meta has also collaborated with iHeart Radio to develop a music player and there are other plans to bring more iHeart virtual concerts.
The device’s crystal-clear visuals are a testament to its dual 2064 x 2208 pixel displays, a significant improvement over the Quest 2’s 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye. It also stands as the pioneer product to feature the second-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset, doubling the GPU processing power of its predecessor.
The Meta Quest 3 is set to make waves with a starting price of $799 for the 128GB version in Australia. As an added bonus, it ships with a complimentary copy of the fantasy game Asgard’s Wrath 2. Pre-orders are already open, with shipments scheduled to begin as early as October 10.
Preorders are happening now at Meta.com
