Meta的新VR头显Quest Pro被视为面向专业人士的高端设备。
图片来源：VINCENT ISORE/ZUMA PRESS
Meta Platform Inc., the parent company of Facebook, released Quest Pro, the most advanced virtual reality (VR) headset device to date, on Tuesday, saying that it may be a better way to work than personal computers, demonstrating its ambition to enter the professional computing market.
In addition to this new device, which costs about $1500, Meta also announced the establishment of a partnership with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Zoom Video Communications Inc. (ZM), which is expected to make the company's VR headset more useful in the mixed work scenario.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, said on the company's annual meta universe activity Connect: "In order to truly realize the full potential of virtual reality, we need to reach a state where 200 million people who buy new computers every year can better complete some or all of their work in the meta universe."
Quest Pro represents Meta's efforts to build high-end equipment, mainly for professionals who are willing to pay high prices for the most cutting-edge VR technology. The device features a thinner, more ergonomic design, an improved display screen and more sensors to track users' movements and facial expressions. Zuckerberg said that this headset is equipped with the Snapdragon XR2+processor newly launched by Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM), which is optimized for VR.
Zuckerberg said that the headgear will be ordered on Tuesday and shipped on October 25.
The company has not disclosed the sales of its VR headgear, but the company's second quarter financial report shows that, as of the first half of 2022, the company's Reality Labs department, including Quest 2, has a revenue of 1.1 billion dollars, an increase of nearly 37% year on year.
Meta also announced its cooperation with Microsoft to introduce Windows 365 and Teams into the company's VR headgear next year.
Zuckerberg said: "We think VR can play a very powerful role in social contact. With Quest Pro, we hope to apply more VR to the work environment. Microsoft has launched some very successful products in the market."
This will include the ability of people wearing Meta headsets to participate in Microsoft Team business communication platform meetings in the form of virtual avatars. These integrations are expected to be available next year.
Microsoft sells its own hybrid reality HoloLens 2 headset, targeting professionals. These devices start at $3500.
In addition to the Team meeting, Meta also announced that Quest users will be able to join the Zoom call using Horizon Workrooms in early 2023. This will allow users to appear as their avatars in Zoom Meetings.
