The Meta Quest 3S, shown above, is Meta’s latest Mixed Reality (MR) headset. Another notable reveal was the Orion Augmented Reality (AR) glasses, although they aren’t commercially available yet. The existing Ray-Ban smart sunglasses also received AI upgrades.
Why is the Quest 3S So Special?
Priced competitively, the Quest 3S stands out in Meta’s lineup. Offering a balance of affordability and advanced features, it’s expected to attract a broader audience.
The Quest 3S comes with stereoscopic color passthrough, an XR2 Gen 2 processor, and TruTouch Haptics, while still running all Quest 3 apps. While the Pro model offers exclusive features like eye and face tracking, the 3S holds its own in terms of performance.
Starting at $300 (~₹35,000 with import duties), the Quest 3S is primed for success. With the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, it excels in both movie viewing and gaming. It boasts a 1832 x 1920 pixel display per eye and includes adjustable interaxial distances (IAD) for comfort.
Though it lacks a counterbalance design like the Quest Pro, its lighter weight makes extended use comfortable enough, especially with its 2.5-hour battery life. The 3S also features an action button to switch between Passthrough MR and immersive mode.
The Lightweight Orion
The Orion AR glasses, introduced by Zuckerberg, offer a more streamlined design compared to typical VR headsets, making them suitable for outdoor use. They project AR windows over your physical surroundings, blending the real and virtual worlds seamlessly.
With a 70-degree field of view and micro-LED projectors, the Orion allows for multitasking with multiple windows, similar to Apple’s Vision Pro. Though still in prototype, its magnesium frame promises a lightweight experience, though at a higher price point due to its premium materials.
The Smart Ray Bans
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have been upgraded with new AI features, including live translation, which could be a useful travel tool. While not an MR or AR headset, they offer practical features like 12MP photo and video capture, livestreaming, and hands-free calling.
With up to 36 hours of battery life, these smart glasses are a stylish yet functional wearable, complete with a discreet charging port in their leather case.
Quest for Matterport
As Matterport service providers, this keynote is relevant for several reasons:
- Meta Quest headsets (2, 3, and Pro) are compatible with Matterport, so the 3S likely will be as well.
- Adostrophe is a DPIIT-recognized startup in AR/VR, and it’s important to keep our audience updated on the latest tech trends.
- While all Matterport tours are VR-ready, there’s potential for a more immersive experience. Imagine transitioning these tours into a Progressive Web App within Meta Horizon. As of now, they are still browser based.
- Matterport’s panoramic images are uploaded to Google Street View, making them available for exploration with VR headsets like Meta’s.
If you own a Meta Quest, check out one of our recent virtual tours and let us know your thoughts:
