Could this be the X-factor that Meta has been long searching for that brings VR into the mainstream? Especially for Oculus OGs and VR enthusiasts, Meta has recently previewed its new Quest 3 VR headsets, which will be available in stores this Fall, with a 128GB version starting at $499.99.
New Quest Accepted
As outlined in this video, the Quest 3 features a range of technical enhancements, including:
Improved tech for optimal visual performance – over 2x the processing power of the previous Quest unit.
Full-color passthrough, which will enable the headset to also function as an AR device, enhancing digital experiences that can interact with real-world objects.
A smaller, sleeker device, which makes it more comfortable to wear for optimal VR experience.
It’s a significant advance for Meta’s VR ambitions, which also points to its next-level Metaverse push, which will largely be based in VR but will also throw in a couple of AR elements into the mix, allowing users to merge their real-world settings into these new, enhanced environments.
However, it’s hard to see the Metaverse future, as Zuck and Co. envision it. VR take-up has actually slowed over time, as negative press about the Metaverse has dampened enthusiasm for the project, while the lack of killer VR applications has also setback adoption.
Right now, there’s just no major and compelling reason to pay for a VR unit, which Meta is hoping to shift. Beyond mainly games and a couple of simulated sandbox experiences, there are no other distinct use cases yet to warrant mass adoption. Quest 2 VR units will also be seeing significant price drops in line with the new launch, with the 128GB versions dropping to $299.99 from $350, and the $256GB one dropping to $349.00.
To be fair, games have been a key pathway into VR, with Meta hoping that its Metaverse experience will eventually align with younger audiences who have grown up in gaming Metaverse-type worlds. The hope is that these users will see the value in adding more types of interactions into these immersive experiences, which is when the Metaverse will really take off. What remains to be seen is whether or not VR gaming holds enough appeal to keep aligned users for long periods.
The Wrap
Logically, as tech evolves, it will become a bigger element, but it’s still a ways off. These new advances are significant, and each element is another big step, but it’s hard to say whether the Quest 3 will be the device that heralds a new era of VR adoption. It’s all building blocks and road checkpoints right now, and as such, it’s a major milestone in Meta’s broader VR ambitions. It might spark a more serious outlook in users about VR, which could spark a major shift in marketing approaches – they’ll certainly lead to more interactive campaigns should that happen.
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