Meta has unveiled a new pair of virtual reality glasses priced from $1,299.99, marking its latest attempt to make immersive technology more practical and appealing to everyday users. The new Meta VR Glasses were announced at the company’s Connect event and are expected to become available next spring, with the company highlighting entertainment, artificial intelligence and a significantly lighter design.
Unlike Meta’s previous bulky VR headsets, the new glasses are designed to look and feel more like conventional eyewear. Meta says they are five times lighter than the Meta Quest 3, with magnesium-alloy frames and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite processor. The glasses connect to a separate computing puck that also functions as a battery, allowing users to carry the device in their pocket while using the glasses.
Entertainment is at the centre of the new product. The glasses feature Micro-OLED displays that deliver what Meta describes as a 5K Infinite Display, alongside Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. Users will also be able to access 3D content, while Meta says selected Disney+ movies, including some Marvel titles, will be available in 3D from November.
One of the biggest selling points is Meta’s partnership with IMAX. The company describes the glasses as the first IMAX-enhanced certified VR device, giving users access to films designed to take advantage of IMAX’s expanded viewing format. Meta also says certain movies can transform a user’s physical surroundings through immersive environments, 3D visuals, dynamic effects and spatial audio.
The glasses will also feature Meta AI, allowing users to control some functions through voice commands and hand gestures. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the product as a breakthrough for immersive technology, signalling the company’s continued effort to develop lighter and more accessible alternatives to traditional VR headsets. The launch will ultimately test whether consumers are ready to embrace VR technology in a form that looks more like everyday glasses than a conventional headset.
source: techcrumch