Meta looks set to release four VR headsets over the next couple of years as it continues to push its vision for the metaverse.
According to a roadmap obtained by The Information, Meta will release a variety of headsets spanning various price points.
The long-rumoured ‘Project Cambria’ high-end VR and mixed reality headset is expected to release around September this year. Cambria was originally set to release last year but was delayed due to the pandemic and supply chain issues.
Meta’s high-end headset will fully demonstrate the company’s vision for how people will use its devices for the future of work and play.
The company’s well-received Quest headsets are designed for shorter play and social experiences. Cambria is set to feature an image quality that’s suitable for doing tasks like writing for potentially long periods.
A battery will be mounted on the back of the Cambria headset to make it more comfortable for longer periods. Full-colour passthrough will be possible for mixed reality experiences.
Meanwhile, sensors inside the headset will track eye movements and facial expressions for potential input sources and provide avatars with more realistic reactions (sorry remote workers—you’re going to have to hide those frustrations again.)
Project Cambria will reportedly cost around $799. A successor, codenamed Funston, is on the roadmap for release in 2024.
For those not yet ready to make such a financial commitment, two Quest headsets are set for release. One, codenamed Stinson, is set for 2023. The other, codenamed Cardiff, is due in 2024.
Quest headsets should remain around $299-$399 so roughly half the cost of Meta’s high-end VR headsets.
Approximately one-fifth of Meta’s workforce is reportedly now working on VR/AR devices—that’s around 10,000 employees dedicated to advancing Zuckerberg’s metaverse vision.
Facebook could be threatened over the long-term if we all start socialising in the metaverse. The company seems to feel the same way and last year decided to bet so heavily on the metaverse that last year it changed its name to Meta.
While only time will tell whether Meta will achieve its lofty ambitions, so far the signs are positive. The Quest 2 was pre-ordered five times as much as its predecessor, it was well-reviewed, and developers report seeing a boost in their sales.
If Meta can build on its momentum with the headsets on its roadmap, those who laughed at the company betting on the metaverse could find themselves eating some humble pie.
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