Summary
Metaappears to be working on a prototype VR headset that features a wider field of view than any of its existing Meta Quest headsets. A recent image released shows the company’s CTO taking a look at some of the experiments that are being tested withinMeta’s Reality Labs.
Meta is constantly testing new designs for its various peripherals, with some images of these items either being officially shared or leaked onto the internet from time to time. TheMeta Quest 3S headset was semi-teasedin a prior image of the CTO, where the then-unannounced VR headset was sitting on a shelf behind him. Now, a new reveal seems to indicate that the company is testing wider FOVs for headsets.
In an image shared by theMeta CTO Andrew Bosworthon Instagram, keen-eyed viewers noticed that one of the headsets he was examining looked quite different. The image shows a prototype VR headset that looks like it curves around the sides of the face, rather than simply fitting across the front of the face. The lenses are angled, which would play a big role in improving how wide the field of view is on future headsets. The design is clearly only intended as a prototype, as it’s wired and has clunky attachments, but it’s intriguing to see that Meta may be contemplating the possibility of a wider FOV in the future.
Will Meta Release a Wide FOV VR Headset?
While this is indeed a test by Meta, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will make it to consumers. Meta is constantly innovating and testing to determine what would be a good feature and work well for its future products. Meta’s La Jolla project was recently canceled, which was allegedly going to compete with the Apple Vision Pro and possibly be called theMeta Quest Pro 2. However, Bosworth noted that the company has prototypes in development “at all times” and that not everything is actually produced. The company has multiple stages of experimentation before ideas ever make it to the prototype phase. Even once products reach the final phase, they may still end up canceled by the company before ever being announced to consumers.
For now, VR enthusiasts shouldn’t hold their breath for a wide FOV headset to launch from Meta. Right now, Meta is focused on the recent release of its Quest 3S, with no official information about aMeta Quest 4or follow-up at this time. Even if this prototype makes it through all the phases and gets an official launch, it would likely be several years out from now.
Meta Quest 3S
Meta Quest 3S is the budget alternative to the Meta Quest 3, one that still offers high-end performance. Supporting virtual and mixed reality, the headset comes with a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 8GB RAM, HD resolution (1832x1920 pixels per eye), and roughly 2.5 hours of battery life.
