Meta Appears to Be Testing a Wider Field of View For Its VR Headsets

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Meta Appears to Be Testing a Wider Field of View For Its VR Headsets

Key Takeaways

  • Meta is testing a prototype VR headset with a wider field of view than existing Quest models.
  • The design includes angled lenses for improved FOV, but it’s still in the early stages.
  • Don’t expect a wide FOV headset from Meta soon, as they’re currently focused on Quest 3S release.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of VR experiences under my belt, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement when I see Meta tinkering with wider field-of-view (FOV) VR headsets. The potential for immersion that such a device could bring is tantalizing, like being transported from the comfort of my gaming den to another world without the slightest hint of a screen boundary.

Meta seems to be developing a prototype Virtual Reality (VR) headset boasting a broader field of view than any current Meta Quest models. A recent photograph unveiled depicts Meta’s Chief Technology Officer examining various tests underway at Meta’s Reality Labs.

Meta frequently experiments with new designs for their various peripherals, and sometimes these images surface online or are officially shared. An earlier image of the CTO hinted at the upcoming Meta Quest 3S VR headset by showing it on a shelf behind him. It now appears that the company is exploring broader fields of view (FOV) in its current testing phase for headsets.

In a photo posted by Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s CTO, on Instagram, some observant viewers spotted a unique design in one of the headsets he was examining. Unlike traditional VR headsets that sit only across the front of the face, this prototype appears to curve around the sides, and the lenses are angled. This design change could potentially expand the field of view significantly in future headsets. Although the prototype is wired and has bulky accessories, suggesting it’s still in development stages, the idea of a broader field of view in the future is captivating.

Will Meta Release a Wide FOV VR Headset?

It’s true that this test by Meta could potentially lead to a new feature, but it doesn’t automatically mean it will be sold to customers. Meta is always experimenting and developing ideas for potential products, including the one that was rumored as the Meta Quest Pro 2, which was supposed to compete with Apple Vision Pro. However, it’s important to note that just because they have prototypes doesn’t guarantee production. The company goes through several stages of development before concepts become actual prototypes, and even then, products might still be canceled before they reach consumers.

Currently, VR enthusiasts might not want to get too excited about a wide FOV headset coming from Meta in the near future. At present, Meta is concentrating on the latest release of its Quest 3S, with no confirmed news regarding a Meta Quest 4 or any subsequent models as of yet. If this prototype progresses through all stages and eventually launches, it would probably be several years down the line.

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2024-10-19 03:13