Main Insights
- Meta is currently evaluating a new virtual reality (VR) headset prototype featuring an expanded field of view (FOV) compared to its existing Quest models.
- This innovative design incorporates angled lenses aimed at enhancing the user’s visual experience; however, it remains in the preliminary testing phase.
- Users shouldn’t anticipate a swiftly available headset with this broader FOV, as Meta’s immediate focus lies on releasing the Quest 3S.
Meta, a leader in the virtual reality and augmented reality space, is experimenting with a cutting-edge prototype of a VR headset that promises a more expansive field of view than its currently available Meta Quest devices. Recently, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, shared an image online showcasing some of the innovative projects under review within Meta’s Reality Labs.
The company is perpetually exploring new designs for its array of VR peripherals, and it often shares or experiences leaks of these designs through various channels. In a previous public image, the unannounced Quest 3S was spotted behind Bosworth, teasing its features while hinting at ongoing experiments with wider FOVs in headsets.
In the Instagram post by Bosworth, observers quickly noted the unusual shape of one headset, which seemed to curve around the user’s face rather than fitting flatly across the front. The angled lenses displayed promise for considerable enhancement of the viewing area in forthcoming headsets. This prototype, while fascinating, is still in a rudimentary stage and has cumbersome wires and attachments. Nevertheless, it indicates that Meta is seriously considering larger fields of view in their future designs.
Even though this prototype is under evaluation, it does not guarantee a commercial launch. Meta is committed to regular testing and innovation to identify valuable features that could contribute to their upcoming products. The recent cancellation of Meta’s La Jolla project, which was thought to rival Apple’s Vision Pro and potentially dubbed the Meta Quest Pro 2, is a testament to the company’s ongoing experimentation and refinement process. Bosworth confirmed that the company is continuously developing prototypes, specifying that not all prototypes transition to production. Ideas undergo various stages of testing to determine viability, and even those that reach the prototype phase may ultimately be shelved before being introduced to the market.
At present, VR fans may want to temper their excitement regarding a wide field of view headset from Meta. The company’s attention is currently directed toward the recent launch of the Quest 3S, with no formal announcements regarding a Quest 4 or an equivalent device. Should this prototype eventually receive the green light through all necessary steps, it could still take several years before reaching consumers.
In summary, as Meta continues its pursuit of innovative VR technologies, the horizon remains open for advancements, but the immediate focus is on refining and rolling out the Quest 3S. Until more concrete information emerges, the availability of a headset featuring a notably wider FOV will only be a hope for the future.