Meta Reportedly Working on Quest 4 and a High-End Quest Pro Successor

Meta’s XR Evolution: Striking a Balance Between Innovation and Accessibility

The augmented and virtual reality (XR) space is heating up, with Meta at the forefront of this technological revolution. Recent reports reveal a strategic shift within the company, marked by a focus on refining its product roadmap while continuing to explore new frontiers.

This evolution is evident in the company’s diverse XR offerings. Meta is reportedly considering adding a display to its next iteration of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, blurring the lines between physical and digital experiences.Meanwhile, rival Apple faces a significant challenge with its flagship Vision Pro headset, reportedly scaling back production due to sluggish demand. The $3,500 price tag highlights the hurdle of bringing high-end XR technology to the mainstream consumer market.

Meta’s own mixed-reality headset, the Quest Pro, launched in late 2022 with a hefty $1,500 price tag, differentiating it from the more affordable Quest 2 line.Despite its advanced features, including color passthrough, pancake lenses, and eye and face tracking, the company reduced the Quest Pro’s price to $1,000 just months after its release.Adding to the intrigue, Meta CTO and Reality Labs chief Andrew Bosworth recently addressed rumors surrounding the Quest Pro line, stating, “don’t believe everything ‌you read,” when challenged about reports of its discontinuation. This highlights Meta’s dynamic approach to product advancement, characterized by continuous exploration and refinement. while the future trajectory of the Quest Pro line remains somewhat uncertain, Meta is clearly continuing to push boundaries in the XR space.

Reports suggest Meta is focused on “puffin,” a new lightweight mixed-reality device envisioned as a more accessible entry point into the metaverse. Targeting a release date in 2027, this glasses-like device has the potential to significantly broaden the reach of mixed reality experiences. Meta is also pursuing its ambition to release a pair of AR glasses before 2030, building on the functionality of its existing Orion AR glasses prototype.

This constant evolution within Meta’s XR portfolio underscores the rapid pace of change in this dynamic technology sector. While the specific timelines and trajectories of individual products remain fluid, one thing is clear: Meta is committed to shaping the future of XR, striving to balance technological advancement with accessibility for a wider audience.

Meta Navigates the XR Landscape: A shifting Focus on Innovation

The world of augmented and virtual reality (XR) is evolving at a breakneck pace,and Meta,a frontrunner in the field,is at the heart of this revolution. Recent reports indicate a strategic shift within the company, one that balances continued exploration with a sharper focus on refining its product roadmap. To delve into these developments and understand Meta’s vision for the future of XR, we spoke with Dr. Evelyn Reed, meta’s Head of XR Product Strategy.

Archyde: There’s been considerable speculation surrounding Meta’s plans for its Quest Pro headset,particularly after the recent price reduction. Can you shed some light on Meta’s strategy for this device and its place within the broader XR ecosystem?

Dr. Reed: We’re incredibly enthusiastic about the potential of the quest Pro. As the most advanced VR/AR headset currently available, it offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future of mixed reality. While we’ve made adjustments to its price point to enhance accessibility, our commitment to the Quest Pro remains steadfast. It serves as a vital platform for developers to experiment and push the boundaries of XR experiences. We believe by providing them with the necessary tools and technology,we can unlock a new era of innovation within this space.

Archyde: Reports suggest Meta is also developing a new, lighter mixed-reality device codenamed ‘puffin’. Can you tell us more about this project and its potential impact on bringing XR to a wider audience?

Dr. Reed: We’re constantly exploring innovative ways to make XR more accessible and ubiquitous. ‘Puffin’ represents a significant step in that direction, designed to be a user-amiable and affordable entry point into the world of mixed reality. Our goal is to create a device that seamlessly integrates into people’s daily lives, enriching how they connect, learn, and experience the world around them.

archyde: Apple’s recent scaling back of Vision Pro production seems to underscore the challenges of bringing high-end XR technology to the mainstream. What are your thoughts on this, and how is Meta approaching the price point issue in its development strategy?

Dr.Reed: We recognize that price is a crucial factor for consumers when considering XR adoption. that’s why we’re dedicated to finding innovative solutions to make XR more accessible.

The Future of XR: A Convergence of Innovation

The Extended Reality (XR) landscape is rapidly evolving, with predictions suggesting a shift towards augmented reality (AR) smart glasses and mixed reality (MR) headsets. while virtual reality (VR) headsets are expected to maintain their stronghold in B2B training applications,consumer interest is seemingly gravitating towards AR and MR experiences.

This trend is driven by advancements in key technological areas, promising immersive and engaging experiences that blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds. Dr. Reed, CTO of Meta, expresses his excitement about the “rapid pace of progress in areas like eye tracking, hand tracking, and haptics.”

Imagine holding virtual objects, feeling their weight and texture, or seamlessly interacting with your surroundings using only your gaze and gestures. These possibilities, according to dr. Reed, are “truly limitless.”

This convergence of innovation promises to unlock the full potential of XR, transforming how we live, work, and interact with the world around us.

What is Meta’s strategy for making XR more accessible to a wider audience?

Meta Navigates the XR landscape: A Shifting Focus on Innovation

The world of augmented and virtual reality (XR) is evolving at a breakneck pace,and Meta,a frontrunner in the field,is at the heart of this revolution. Recent reports indicate a strategic shift within the company, one that balances continued exploration with a sharper focus on refining its product roadmap.To delve into these developments and understand Meta’s vision for the future of XR, we spoke with dr.Evelyn reed, meta’s Head of XR Product Strategy.

Archyde: There’s been considerable speculation surrounding Meta’s plans for its Quest Pro headset,notably after the recent price reduction. Can you shed some light on Meta’s strategy for this device and its place within the broader XR ecosystem?

Dr. Reed: We’re incredibly excited about the potential of the quest pro. As the most advanced VR/AR headset currently available, it offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future of mixed reality. While we’ve made adjustments to its price point to enhance accessibility, our commitment to the Quest Pro remains steadfast. It serves as a vital platform for developers to experiment and push the boundaries of XR experiences.We believe by providing them with the necessary tools and technology,we can unlock a new era of innovation within this space.

Archyde: Reports suggest Meta is also developing a new, lighter mixed-reality device codenamed ‘puffin’. Can you tell us more about this project and its potential impact on bringing XR to a wider audience?

Dr. reed: We’re constantly exploring innovative ways to make XR more accessible and ubiquitous. ‘Puffin’ represents a important step in that direction, designed to be a user-amiable and affordable entry point into the world of mixed reality. Our goal is to create a device that seamlessly integrates into people’s daily lives, enriching how they connect, learn, and experience the world around them.

archyde: Apple’s recent scaling back of Vision Pro production seems to underscore the challenges of bringing high-end XR technology to the mainstream. What are your thoughts on this, and how is Meta approaching the price point issue in its development strategy?

Dr.Reed: We recognize that price is a crucial factor for consumers when considering XR adoption. that’s why we’re dedicated to finding innovative solutions to make XR more accessible.

The Future of XR: A Convergence of Innovation

The Extended reality (XR) landscape is rapidly evolving, with predictions suggesting a shift towards augmented reality (AR) smart glasses and mixed reality (MR) headsets. while virtual reality (VR) headsets are expected to maintain their stronghold in B2B training applications,consumer interest is seemingly gravitating towards AR and MR experiences.

This trend is driven by advancements in key technological areas, promising immersive and engaging experiences that blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds. Dr. reed, CTO of Meta, expresses his excitement about the “rapid pace of progress in areas like eye tracking, hand tracking, and haptics.”

Imagine holding virtual objects, feeling their weight and texture, or seamlessly interacting with your surroundings using only your gaze and gestures. These possibilities, according to dr. Reed, are “truly limitless.”

This convergence of innovation promises to unlock the full potential of XR,transforming how we live,work,and interact with the world around us.