Meta Quest 3, the latest virtual reality headset from Meta, is set to integrate Apple Vision Pro’s spatial videos in its upcoming update. Despite the significant price difference between the two devices, both will now have access to spatial videos, enhancing their augmented reality capabilities. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, announced this exciting development to his Apple-obsessed Meta Quest 3 customers, expressing his hopes that these new features will propel the company’s VR ambitions.
The forthcoming v62 release of Meta Quest 3, scheduled for the week of February 7th, will introduce a full spatial video gallery. This update will allow users of iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and Vision Pro to watch their 3D-ish videos on their Quest 2, Quest Pro, and Quest 3 headsets. Zuckerberg himself demonstrated this feature on his Instagram account, showcasing a pair of twin pines while using the Quest 3 passthrough function.
Previously, Quest users could already view spatial videos through their headsets, but it was a more involved process. Apple’s spatial video technology encodes videos from two perspectives simultaneously, enabling them to be displayed on both lenses of a VR headset, creating a 3D effect. Now, with the introduction of the spatial video gallery, users will have a dedicated space to watch their 3D content. While these videos are limited to 20 minutes on the Quest 3, they have practically unlimited duration on Apple’s mixed reality device.
In addition to integrating Apple’s spatial videos, Meta Quest 3 is also taking inspiration from Apple’s VR release by introducing pinch controls. Users can now use a pinch gesture to open the universal menu and refresh the headset’s view when needed. The upcoming v62 update also includes support for up to 15 spaces, allowing users to seamlessly move from room to room without having to rescan each environment. These improvements aim to provide a level of seamlessness similar to that of the Apple Vision Pro, as Meta strives to keep up with its competitors.
The Meta Quest 3, priced at $500, is a highly capable headset and offers the best value for its price among Meta’s VR technology lineup. With a price tag that is only a seventh of the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro, Meta hopes that the attention garnered by Apple’s entry into the mixed reality landscape will benefit the entire industry.
This is particularly crucial for Meta following the release of its latest quarterly financial report, which revealed an operating loss of $4.65 billion for its VR-centric Reality Labs division. Despite this loss, the company reported a 25% increase in sales year over year. The VR market has experienced a downturn, with sales declining by 40% at the end of 2023, according to data from research firm Circana.
Overall, the integration of Apple Vision Pro’s spatial videos into Meta Quest 3’s upcoming update is a significant development for both devices. It enhances the capabilities of Meta’s VR headset and allows users to enjoy immersive 3D content. As Meta continues to navigate the competitive VR landscape, it remains optimistic about the future of its mixed reality devices, with the Quest 3 expected to maintain its position as the most popular device in the market.