Meta Connect 2022 took place at 2:00 AM today.
Meta (formerly Facebook) presented various directions, products, and stories about the future, among which I will write about the hardware-related topics that I was looking forward to.
Meta Quest Pro Specs and Key Features Revealed
The long-rumored Project Cambria has been unveiled. Known as the Meta Quest Pro
Meta Quest Pro Official Website
https://www.meta.com/kr/quest/quest-pro/
Along with the announcement, the website was also launched and pre-orders began.. It was unveiled as a high-priced product priced at 2,190,000 KRW.. At $1,499.
Key Features
– The first premium headset lineup from Quest
– Available to purchase starting at $1,499 (additional configurations such as cables and joysticks exist)
– Uses Pancake Lenses to reduce size and implement sharp video
– Ergonomic weight distribution due to the curved battery on the back
– Capable of implementing Full Color Mixed Reality (MR) with a front camera improved 4 times compared to Quest 2.
– Device integrated with sensors that enable internal eye tracking
– Planned collaboration with Microsoft to allow the use of collaboration tools such as Teams and MS365 in Meta Horizon Workroom for both Pro and 2 models
Meta Quest Pro Official Video
What exactly has changed in Quest Pro specs?
First, let's look at the overall specifications.
The price has risen by about 3.5 times compared to the Quest 2 released two years ago. The specs also appear to have improved overall.
尽管存在关于沿用现有芯片组的争议，但该设备似乎配备了Snapdragon XR2+芯片，这是一种改进后的芯片。据传闻，由于发热控制问题，现有的Quest 2无法充分利用芯片组的性能。因此，随着冷却系统的改进以及芯片本身的升级，预计在性能方面将有显著提升。
Basic capacity and RAM have also been increased, and the display resolution shows a quality of at least 2160 x 2160 2K, so it appears to solve the grid problem, which is considered a fundamental issue with VR devices. (However, Quest 2 is also quite good...)
It is said that it features lenses known as pancake lenses, which have significantly reduced the size of the front. However, since the VR community notes that pancake lenses are not a cure-all and have their own drawbacks, this will likely require trying them out to fully understand.
Tracking has seen a significant change. While the previous Quest 2 utilized optical cameras on the front for sensing—a very cost-effective choice—this Pro lineup is said to use infrared depth sensors, which are strong in traditional sensor tracking. With no fewer than 10 of them, it remains to be seen just how accurate the tracking will be. Since the Quest 2's cost-performance strategy was very satisfying...
Finally, regarding the battery, it has increased to 5,000mAh, about 1.5 times the previous model. However, based on reports already surfacing in other communities, I believe the actual usage time is around 2 hours and has not improved significantly compared to the previous version. Perhaps, as performance has improved, power consumption has also increased accordingly.
It appears that the controllers have also been improved and upgraded. Given the nature of VR devices that often suffer from limited field of view and require a high volume of input, controller technology is a crucial component for enhancing the user experience, so I think this is very welcome.
The specifications and features summarized on the Meta Quest Pro homepage are as follows.
It feels like it's written that it's definitely improved. (Extracted from the Meta Quest Pro homepage)
Outstanding Comfort
World-class balanced ergonomics meet a sophisticated design to create an even more comfortable headset.
Innovative Mixed Reality
With full-color mixed reality and 4x higher resolution than the Quest 2, you can work, create, and collaborate in the virtual world while maintaining presence in the real world.
Natural Expressions
Real-time expression tracking allows you to create avatars that mimic facial expressions. Whether you smile, raise your eyebrows, or wink, it's all possible.
META QUEST TOUCH PRO CONTROLLERS
Three cameras per controller and a Snapdragon 662 mobile processor enable 360-degree movement in the virtual space. Thanks to TruTouch haptic feedback and precise finger spacing adjustment, you can experience VR more intuitively.
Next-Gen Optics
You can immediately see the improved visual clarity. Using patented innovative pancake lenses and optical technology that work with a retractable light source inside the optical module, we created an optical stack that is over 40% thinner than the Quest 2. Advanced VR LCD display technology achieves 37% more pixels per inch. A 1.3x larger color gamut delivers a more vivid color palette for a more vibrant VR experience.
High-Performance Hardware
It is equipped with powerful hardware, including 10 premium VR/MR sensors, spatial audio, 256GB storage, 12GB RAM, and the Snapdragon XR2+ processor, which provides 50% improved performance.
Compatibility with Previous Versions
Rest assured, you can continue to access the Meta Quest 2 app catalog and enjoy all your favorite games, entertainment apps, and more.
Easy Multitasking
You can open multiple resizable screens, refine new ideas, stream feeds, or exchange messages with friends. Thanks to this new capability, multitasking is easier than ever.
Charging Dock Included
Using the companion charging dock, which includes a fast power adapter, you can keep your headset and controllers charged and ready to bring your brilliant ideas to life the moment they strike.
Flexible Immersion Levels
With an IPD range of 55-75mm and continuous IPD adjustment, it delivers sharp visual clarity and reduces eye fatigue. You can adjust your VR immersion to suit your needs, ranging from a fully open field of view to a partially obscured field of view (included) or a fully immersive field of view (accessory).
According to reports, the Meta Quest Pro's components are as follows. It feels like there is quite a lot of it.
此外，介绍中还提到了材质方面的改进。我们通常将这一领域称为 感性质量 或感性设计。由于制造商在感性质量上投入精力需要花费大量资金，因此能感受到 Meta 对该设备倾注了真诚的用心。
Let's talk about the specs and price overall.. Is it expensive or not?
It is clear that the Quest 2, released at the cost of blood for entertainment and market dominance, and the Quest Pro are products running on a different track.
Based on the experience and information gained from selling the Quest 2, we have determined the direction for improving the product, aiming for slightly better performance, slightly better image quality, slightly better comfort, slightly longer battery life, and a slightly more user-friendly interface.
It feels like a step forward for the product's development, but at the same time, it seems to have entered an area where a lot of costs must be spent to go down a path that others haven't taken.
Actually, this position has been quite the territory for Microsoft's HoloLens lineup for quite some time.. but strangely, the scent of HoloLens is coming from Meta's new product this time.. (So is that why it's expensive?)
Of course, the Quest Pro, which realizes Mixed Reality by utilizing front-facing semi-transparent holographic lenses like the HoloLens lineup and projection MR using optical camera sensors, has a slightly different accessibility, but it seems to be a device that considers the quasi-monopoly HoloLens had and the industrial MR equipment market.
Thinking about it, if the consumer price for the HoloLens 2 was over 5 million won at a Korean sales price of $3,500, then it appears to be relatively affordably priced.
Of course, looking at the specs, it is also a part where you can feel that the specs released two years ago for the HoloLens 2 were incredibly fast for that time..
However, even if that is the case, since the product is priced quite high for consumers, most users currently using the Quest 2 will likely exclaim, "Why is the price so high?!" Therefore, I think it will be difficult to gain the public's empathy. From a personal perspective, I believe the psychological price limit that general users can accept is around 700,000 KRW. (No evidence, just my personal opinion)
Perhaps separate from this product, the Quest 3 for general users might be announced soon, as related rumors have surfaced, and from the perspective of Quest 2 users, it might be worth waiting for that.
And no matter how you look at it, the Quest Pro looks way too similar to the HoloLens.. It feels like a work that fits the various rumors about cooperating with MS..!
As expected.. a familiar uncle suddenly appears.
Meta Connect 2022 에서는 Meta 와 MS 의 역사적인 협업에 대한 발표가 있었다..
soonsoon