Watch Zuckerberg Demo Quest 3 Headset

CNET Highlights
27 Sept 202308:51

TLDRMark Zuckerberg introduces the Quest 3 headset, Meta's most powerful mixed reality device yet. It seamlessly blends the physical and digital worlds with advanced hand tracking and precision controllers. The standalone headset offers an expansive virtual experience, enhanced by its high-resolution spatial mapping and compatibility with Xbox cloud gaming. The device, priced at $499, is set to revolutionize social interaction, gaming, and work with its immersive content library and business tools.

Takeaways

  • 🎉 Introduction of Quest 3, the first mainstream mixed reality headset.
  • 🚀 Most powerful headset ever shipped, blending physical and digital worlds seamlessly.
  • 🤲 Advanced hand tracking and new Precision controllers designed for gaming and work.
  • 🔌 Standalone device with no wires or battery packs, enhancing the sense of presence.
  • 🌐 Recognizes physical space, allowing users to interact with digital objects in their environment.
  • 🎮 Play games with friends, whether they are physically present or not.
  • 💪 Improved workout experiences with in-room targets and the ability to see the surrounding space.
  • 📺 Xbox cloud gaming integration, bringing hundreds of Xbox games to Quest in December.
  • 🖼️ Ability to place virtual objects and experiences like a big virtual screen in the physical space.
  • 🌟 Launching 'augments' next year, persistent spatially anchored digital objects for interaction.
  • 📱 Meta Quest for Business enabling mixed reality at scale with compatibility with major enterprise platforms.

Q & A

  • What is the Quest 3 headset?

    -Quest 3 is a mainstream mixed reality headset developed by Facebook. It is the most powerful headset they have ever shipped, allowing users to blend the physical and digital worlds together.

  • How does the hand tracking feature work on the Quest 3?

    -The hand tracking feature on the Quest 3 has significantly improved, enabling users to navigate and interact with the digital world using just their hands without the need for additional controllers.

  • What are the new Precision controllers designed for?

    -The new Precision controllers are designed for gaming, work, or any situation where extra precision is required in the interaction with the digital environment.

  • Is the Quest 3 headset standalone?

    -Yes, the Quest 3 is completely standalone, meaning it does not require any wires, battery packs, or external devices, providing an uninterrupted sense of presence.

  • How does Quest 3 understand and utilize physical space?

    -Quest 3 uses two dedicated color camera sensors and a depth sensor to automatically map the space around the user. This allows for interactions such as playing with digital objects on any flat surface in the room or engaging in physical activities like workouts.

  • What is the significance of the increased pixel count in Quest 3 compared to Quest 2?

    -The increased pixel count in Quest 3, which is 10 times more than Quest 2, enables more detailed and accurate mapping of the physical space, leading to more immersive and interactive experiences.

  • What is Xbox Cloud Gaming and how will it be integrated with Quest?

    -Xbox Cloud Gaming is a service that will be available on Quest in December, allowing users to play hundreds of Xbox games, including popular titles like Halo, Minecraft, and Elder Scrolls, on a large screen anywhere they go.

  • What are 'augments' and how do they function in the Quest 3 ecosystem?

    -Augments are persistent, spatially anchored digital objects that users can interact with. They can be used to display photos and videos from social media on a wall or create a digital portal next to workout equipment for easy access to virtual workouts.

  • What improvements have been made to the hardware and software of the Quest 3?

    -The Quest 3 is equipped with the next-generation Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Qualcomm processor, which offers twice the graphics performance of previous models. It also features new pancake lenses and displays, providing stunning visual performance.

  • What new content and experiences can users expect with the Quest 3?

    -Users can expect a wide range of new content, including immersive games like Asgard's Wrath 2 and Assassin's Creed Nexus, as well as social experiences and sports events. Additionally, tools for businesses are being developed to bring mixed reality to organizations at scale.

  • When will the Quest 3 be available for purchase and at what price?

    -The Quest 3 is set to ship on August 10th and can be pre-ordered for $499.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Introducing Quest 3: The Ultimate Mixed Reality Headset

The first paragraph introduces Quest 3, a groundbreaking mixed reality headset that marks a significant advancement in blending the physical and digital worlds. It is described as the most powerful headset ever shipped, featuring improved hand tracking and the option to use new Precision controllers for added precision in gaming or work scenarios. The headset is completely standalone, requiring no wires or battery packs, which enhances the user's sense of presence. Quest 3 utilizes advanced spatial understanding, allowing users to interact with digital objects in their physical space, play games with friends virtually, and engage in more immersive workouts. A notable feature is the headset's ability to display the user's physical space with significantly increased pixel density compared to its predecessor, the Quest 2. This enables realistic interactions, such as virtual objects bouncing off physical walls or users taking cover behind real-world objects. The integration of Xbox cloud gaming is also mentioned, promising a vast library of games like Halo and Minecraft that can be played on a large virtual screen anywhere.

05:02

🚀 Next-Gen Performance and Immersive Experiences with Quest 3

The second paragraph delves into the technical specifications and new features of the Quest 3 headset. It is equipped with the next-generation Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Qualcomm processor, which offers twice the graphics performance of previous models. The headset also includes new pancake lenses and displays, enhancing the visual experience significantly. The paragraph highlights several major game titles that can now run natively on Quest 3, such as Asgard's Wrath 2 and Assassin's Creed Nexus, which were previously requiring a wired connection to a gaming PC. It also mentions the launch of Roblox, optimized for VR, and the upcoming X Stadium, offering fully immersive NBA games and other live sports experiences. Additionally, the paragraph covers new content for popular social games like Super Rumble and Citadel, showcasing the visual improvements and social aspects of these games. The paragraph concludes by discussing the business applications of Quest 3, including compatibility with Microsoft InTune, VMware, and Microsoft 365, and the launch of Meta Quest for Business, which aims to bring mixed reality to organizations at scale.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mixed Reality

Mixed reality is a technology that merges elements of the real world with those of the virtual world, creating an environment where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact. In the context of the video, the Quest 3 headset is described as a mainstream mixed reality device, allowing users to blend the physical and digital worlds seamlessly. This is exemplified by the ability to play games, solve puzzles, and work with digital objects in a user's actual surroundings, enhancing the overall experience by making it more immersive and interactive.

💡Hand Tracking

Hand tracking is a feature in virtual reality and mixed reality systems that allows for the recognition and interpretation of hand movements, enabling users to interact with the virtual environment using natural hand gestures instead of traditional controllers. In the video, it is highlighted that the Quest 3 headset has improved hand tracking capabilities, which means users can navigate and control the digital world with their hands, providing a more intuitive and realistic interaction experience.

💡Precision Controllers

Precision controllers are specialized input devices designed for use with virtual reality and mixed reality systems, offering a high level of control and accuracy for various tasks and interactions within the digital environment. The video introduces new precision controllers developed for the Quest 3, which are intended for scenarios where extra precision is needed, such as gaming or professional applications.

💡Standalone

A standalone device is one that operates independently without the need for external connections or additional hardware. In the context of the video, the Quest 3 headset is described as a standalone mixed reality headset, meaning it does not require any wires, battery packs, or a connection to a PC to function. This feature enhances the user experience by providing freedom of movement and uninterrupted immersion in the virtual environment.

💡Spatial Awareness

Spatial awareness refers to the ability of a device or system to understand and interpret its physical surroundings, including the dimensions, objects, and space available. In the video, the Quest 3 is said to have advanced spatial awareness, enabling it to map the user's environment and integrate digital content into the real world seamlessly. This capability allows for more realistic and interactive experiences, such as playing games or working out, where the virtual elements respond to the user's actual space.

💡Xbox Cloud Gaming

Xbox Cloud Gaming is a service provided by Microsoft that allows users to play video games through the cloud, without the need for a local console or powerful hardware. In the video, it is announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be coming to Quest in December, enabling users to play a wide range of Xbox games, including popular titles like Halo and Minecraft, on the Quest headset. This integration brings the convenience and variety of console gaming to the immersive experience of mixed reality.

💡Augments

Augments, as described in the video, are persistent, spatially anchored digital objects that users can interact with in their physical space. These digital augmentations can serve various purposes, such as displaying photos and videos, providing workout sessions, or offering other forms of information and entertainment. The concept of augments aims to enhance the user's real-world environment by integrating digital content in a seamless and contextually relevant manner.

💡Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 is a next-generation processor designed specifically for extended reality devices, such as virtual reality and augmented reality headsets. This advanced chip offers significant improvements in graphics performance, AI capabilities, and overall processing power compared to its predecessors. In the context of the video, the Quest 3 is the first headset to ship with this new processor, enabling it to deliver stunning graphics, smooth performance, and a more immersive user experience.

💡Pancake Lenses

Pancake lenses are a type of optical component used in cameras and imaging systems to achieve a compact design while maintaining image quality. In the context of the video, the Quest 3 utilizes new pancake lenses paired with advanced displays to enhance the visual experience for users. These lenses contribute to a thinner and lighter headset design, making the device more comfortable to wear while also providing high-quality graphics performance.

💡Meta Quest for Business

Meta Quest for Business is a solution being launched to bring mixed reality technology into organizational settings at scale. It aims to integrate mixed reality experiences into various business processes, enhancing productivity and collaboration through immersive content and tools. In the video, it is mentioned that this platform will be compatible with major enterprise software and services, such as Microsoft InTune, VMware, and Microsoft 365, allowing businesses to utilize mixed reality in a seamless and integrated manner.

Highlights

Introduction of Quest 3, the first mainstream mixed reality headset.

Quest 3 is the most powerful headset ever shipped, blending physical and digital worlds.

Hand tracking has significantly improved for navigation and interaction.

Introduction of new Precision controllers designed for gaming and work.

Quest 3 is completely standalone with no wires or battery packs.

Physical room is used as a canvas to bring digital objects into the world.

Quest 3 understands space, allowing for gameplay and creation on any flat surface.

Playing games with friends, whether physically together or far away, is enhanced by Quest 3.

Body combat workouts in Quest 3 bring targets into the physical room.

Quest 3 offers 10 times more pixels than Quest 2 for showing physical space.

Automatic mapping of space using color camera sensors and a depth sensor.

Virtual screen can be dropped anywhere in the physical room.

Xbox cloud gaming is coming to Quest, allowing play of hundreds of Xbox games.

Persistent spatially anchored digital objects called 'augments' are being launched next year.

Seamless transition between immersive experiences and the physical environment.

Quest 3 ships with Next Generation Snapdragon xr2 Gen 2 processor for better graphics performance.

New pancake lenses and displays for stunning graphics performance.

Asgard's Wrath 2 and Assassin's Creed Nexus are examples of new titles taking advantage of Quest 3's power.

Roblox, NBA games, and UFC Fight Pass are among the new content coming to Quest.

New Horizon content with social games like Super Rumble and Citadel.

Business tools like meta quest for business and Microsoft 365 for Quest are in development.

Quest 3 is 40% thinner, more comfortable, with Precision controllers and improved hand tracking.

Quest 3 is available for pre-order at $499, shipping on August 10th.