Meta launches new Quest Pro devices for Virtual and Mixed Reality

During the annual Meta Connect conference, CEO of Meta Platform Mark Zuckerberg launched the new Meta Quest Pro device to expand the possibilities of virtual and mixed reality.

The announcement of Meta Quest Pro: the device to expand the possibilities of mixed reality

Together with Reality Labs leaders, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platform announced the long-awaited new Meta Quest Pro device. 

Meet @MetaQuestVR Pro. Built to expand the possibilities of virtual and mixed reality — and get you closer to feeling like you're together in person, no matter where you are in the world.

Available 10.25. Pre-order today at https://t.co/CHKD8FfaV0 pic.twitter.com/8nMyYgtNij

— Meta (@Meta) October 11, 2022

“Meet @MetaQuestVR Pro. Built to expand the possibilities of virtual and mixed reality — and get you closer to feeling like you’re together in person, no matter where you are in the world.”

Formerly called by the name Project Cambria, today the new Meta Quest Pro is the first in a new line of advanced visors built to expand the possibilities of virtual and mixed reality, but also to be an innovative work and productivity tool. 

Meta Quest Pro costs exactly $1,499.99 and is available for pre-order on the official website, with shipments beginning 25 October. The new device is intended to complement, not replace, the Meta Quest 2, which instead sells for $399.99. 

During his talk at Meta Connect, Zuckerberg, captured partly on video and partly as an avatar, said he expects the fusion of the physical and digital worlds to give rise to new uses of information technology, stating:

“You’re going to see entirely new categories of things getting built.”

Meta Quest Pro: the peculiarities of the device for the Metaverse

The new Meta Quest Pro visors feature several innovative peculiarities. Among them are pancake lenses that fold light multiple times, reducing the size of the headset while showing sharper images.

Not only that, the presence of high-resolution outward-facing cameras capture 4 times as many pixels as Meta Quest 2 and make Meta Quest Pro the first color mixed reality device. This way, in fact, it is not necessary to look at the phone to interact between the physical and digital worlds. 

Another not-insignificant aspect is the presence of built-in inward-facing sensors to capture natural facial expressions and eye tracking. Basically, if you raise your eyebrow, or smile, or make eye contact with someone, the user’s avatar will repeat the same operation. 

Partnering with Microsoft to promote Virtual Reality in the workplace

Among Meta Quest Pro’s goals is to become an important tool in the workplace. 

Sneak peek of the future today at Meta Connect 🔮:
✅ Our first mixed reality device @MetaQuestVR Pro
✅ The start of a new way to work in the metaverse
✅ Cutting-edge @RealityLabs research to build technology that connects people

Read more 👉 https://t.co/Ryf01kVM4c pic.twitter.com/2c1i7AAm7U

— Meta (@Meta) October 11, 2022

“Sneak peek of the future today at Meta Connect:

– Our first mixed reality device @MetaQuestVR Pro

– The start of a new way to work in the metaverse

– Cutting-edge @RealityLabs research to build technology that connects people”

On that note, the launch of the visors at Meta Connect was accompanied by Microsoft President and CEO Satya Nadella, who wanted to announce the new partnership with Zuckerberg.

The aim is to bring powerful new work and productivity tools to Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2 next year, including apps for Microsoft Windows 365 and Microsoft Teams and the ability to participate in a Teams meeting from within Meta Horizon Workrooms.

For Meta Platform, the metaverse represents the biggest bet ever made by a technology company on a new, unproven technology. Indeed, according to some analyses, it appears that the company has already invested an estimated $70 billion in the design and development of its metaverse.