Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro is a mixed reality (MR) headset developed by Reality Labs, a division of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.). It was unveiled on October 11, 2022. The headset was teased in October 2021 under the codename "Project Cambria". It is a high-end headset designed for mixed reality and virtual reality applications, targeting business and enthusiast users.
| Developer | Reality Labs |
|---|---|
| Type | Virtual reality headset |
| Release date | October 25, 2022 |
| Introductory price | US$1,499.99[1] |
| System on a chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+[1] |
| Memory | 12 GB LPDDR5[1] |
| Storage | 256 GB[1] |
| Display | LCD 1800 x 1920 per eye @ 72 - 90 Hz[1][2] |
| Graphics | Adreno 650 |
| Controller input | Meta Quest Touch Pro[1] |
| Online services | Quest Store |
| Mass | 722 g (25.5 oz)[1] |
| Website | Official website |
Development
Prior to Facebook Connect in October 2021 (during which Facebook, Inc. announced its rebranding as "Meta" to emphasize its development of "metaverse"-related technologies),[3][4] CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth posted photos of themselves testing prototype headsets, which they stated to have "Retina resolution" displays (alluding to the Apple Inc. trademark for high-resolution displays),[5] while leaked demo videos and references to an "Oculus Pro" headset were also discovered on the Oculus website and unreleased system software.[6] During the event, Zuckerberg officially announced that the company was developing a headset codenamed "Project Cambria" as part of the Oculus Quest line of products, which would be a high-end product aimed at mixed reality applications, and feature a slimmer design, high-resolution color passthrough cameras, and eye tracking.[7]
The product was officially revealed as Meta Quest Pro during Connect in October 2022 for a release on October 25;[8] Zuckerberg told the media that the Quest Pro would target "people who just want the highest-end VR device – enthusiast, prosumer folks – or people who are trying to get work done",[8] and would be sold in parallel with the Quest 2 (which is aimed primarily at the consumer market).[9] Bosworth stated that the Quest Pro would "take existing experiences that people are having today in VR and make them better."[8]
Specifications
Hardware
The Quest Pro closer resembles AR headsets such as Microsoft's HoloLens rather than other VR headsets, with a thinner lens enclosure, and a more visor-like form factor that does not obscure the entirety of the user's peripheral vision; "peripheral blinders" are included as an accessory, with a "full light blocker" attachment sold separately.[10][11] The lenses can be adjusted for interpupillary distance, and moved forwards and backwards.[8] It uses quantum dot displays with a per-eye resolution of 1800×1920, viewed through "pancake lenses" that allow for its enclosure to be 40% thinner in comparison to the Quest 2. Meta stated that the displays supported a wider color gamut than the Quest 2, and had improved contrast via "local dimming".[10][11] The Quest Pro's battery is built into the back of its head strap for better weight distribution; Meta rated it as lasting 1 to 2 hours on a single charge.[10][8]
For its mixed reality functions, the Quest Pro uses high-resolution color cameras (as opposed to the lower-resolution, grayscale cameras on the Quest) and infrared depth sensors; Meta stated that these sensors had a tracking range of 5 m (16 ft).[10] The headset also contains internal sensors that are used for eye and face tracking, primarily for use with avatars.[10][8] The Quest Pro uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ system-on-chip with 12 GB of RAM, which Meta stated had "50% more power" than the Quest 2's Snapdragon XR.[10][8]
The Quest Pro uses Touch Pro controllers, an update to the Oculus Touch controllers used by the Quest. They have a more compact design with upgraded haptics, and on-board motion tracking using embedded cameras—thus they no longer have the infrared sensor rings present on previous models (which were tracked by the headset's cameras), and are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processors. The controllers are also rechargeable via the headset's charging dock, have a new pressure sensor for pinch gestures, and have pressure-sensitive stylus tip accessories that can be attached to the bottoms of their handles for drawing and writing. The Quest Pro controllers will be sold as an add-on accessory for existing Quest 2 headsets as well.[8][10]
Software
The Quest Pro was demonstrated to the press with mixed reality versions of software such as Horizon Workrooms, the DJ software Tribe XR, and Painting VR.[10][8]
Meta announced a partnership with Microsoft to integrate productivity services such as Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, and Windows 365 with Meta Quest 2 and Pro, including allowing users to join Teams meetings via Horizon Workrooms, use Microsoft Office applications, as well as support for management of Quest devices via Intune.[12]
Lens Issue
Shortly after it was released, users began reporting an issue with a brownish haze along the outer top edges of the lenses when using games or apps with dark screens.[13][14][15][16][17][18] Meta has not issued any sort of statement or acknowledgement of the issue, and has been offering replacement units, but some users have reported receiving replacements exhibiting the same problem.[19]
References
- "It's all in the details". 2022-11-01.
- "META'S QUEST PRO IS AN EXPENSIVE ATTEMPT TO MAKE MIXED REALITY MAINSTREAM". 2022-11-01.
- Kastrenakes, Jacob (2021-10-25). "Facebook is spending at least $10 billion this year on its metaverse division". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- Wong, Queenie. "Facebook plans to break out its VR, AR business". CNET. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- Clark, Mitchell (2021-10-13). "Facebook execs tease VR prototype hardware with new photos". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- Heath, Alex (2021-10-25). "Leaked videos appear to show Facebook's rumored Oculus Pro". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- Robertson, Adi (2021-10-28). "Facebook teases "Project Cambria" high-end VR / AR headset". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
- Stein, Scott. "Meta Quest Pro Hands-On: A $1,500 Leap Toward the Future of Mixed Reality". CNET. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- Robertson, Adi (2022-10-11). "The Meta Quest Pro is a cutting-edge headset looking for an audience". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- Lang, Ben (2022-10-11). "Quest Pro Specs & Features Revealed: Pre-orders Available Today, Shipping October 25th for $1,500". Road to VR. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- Orland, Kyle (2022-10-11). "Meta announces Quest Pro, a $1,499 "mixed reality" device coming Oct. 25". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
- Hayden, Scott (2022-10-11). "Microsoft & Meta to Bring Key Productivity Tools to Quest, Including Windows 11 via Cloud". Road to VR. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
- https://www.reddit.com/r/OculusQuest/comments/yfonqx/severe_backlight_edge_bleed_on_quest_pro_possibly/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/OculusQuest/comments/yz4aq2/update_yellowingorange_has_on_pancake_lenses_so_i/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/OculusQuest/comments/yfhr82/some_people_are_reporting_a_potential_issue_with/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/QuestPro/comments/ygtmjy/is_this_normal_on_a_black_background_seeing/
- https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/Meta-Quest-Pro-has-a-yellowish-brown-haze-in-top-right-corner-of/td-p/994480
- https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/quest-pro-yellow-brown-haze/m-p/1010854
- https://www.reddit.com/r/QuestPro/comments/ygtmjy/is_this_normal_on_a_black_background_seeing/