The competition from Apple Vision Pro has prompted Meta to enhance the passthrough quality of its Meta Quest 3 headset through a software update, improving resolution, image quality, and reducing graininess. This move reflects Meta's learning from Apple's approach and signifies the impact of high-end competition on headset development. While Apple's high pricing places it in a different market segment, the potential for a more affordable Apple Vision model in the future suggests ongoing competition in the mixed reality headset space.
Meta's v64 software update for Quest 3 brings improved passthrough quality, support for external microphones, lying down mode, and continuous casting, enhancing the VR experience with better visuals, professional-grade audio, and added convenience for users.
The latest system update v64 for Meta Quest 3 brings improved passthrough quality, enhancing resolution, image quality, and reducing graininess in lower light conditions. Initial impressions reveal a reduction in graininess in low light, sharper environments and textures, and improved readability of text and smartphone displays. While the update doesn't eliminate distortions and wobbling near objects, it subtly enhances the practical use of passthrough in everyday life and immersive mixed reality games, aligning with Meta's modest improvement promise.
The Quest v64 update for Meta Quest 3 promises improved passthrough with higher resolution, better color, exposure, contrast, and dynamic range. Other improvements include external mic support, lying-down mode, and enhanced casting. The update aims to make the headset closer to the high-res Vision Pro in passthrough quality. However, some object warping is still noticeable. Additionally, the update supports using apps while lying down and keeps the casting stream alive when the headset is removed.
The Meta Quest v64 system software update brings improved passthrough quality, external mic support, lying down mode, and continuous casting for Quest 3. The update enhances passthrough resolution, image quality, and reduces graininess, but doesn't address geometric warping distortion. It also allows the use of an external microphone and introduces lying down mode, previously available for Quest 2 and Quest Pro. Additionally, the update enables continuous casting even when the headset is taken off.
The newly released Apple Vision Pro AR headset has been found to continue displaying a complete camera passthrough even in the event of a total system crash, showcasing Apple's meticulous engineering. Security researcher Joseph Ravichandran, who obtained the device, performed a kernel exploit test and discovered that the passthrough remains active, providing users with a warning message and countdown for a system reboot if necessary. This functionality is attributed to the R1 co-processor, demonstrating advanced engineering and potential future applications for this technology in other products.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared a first look at mixed reality gameplay on Quest 3, showcasing the headset's full-color passthrough MR mode and virtual objects attached to walls. Quest 3's new depth sensor should make attaching virtual objects to walls, floors, and ceilings more convincing thanks to a more precise map of the world around the headset. The footage doesn't show any of the obvious color fringing that was an artifact of Quest Pro's passthrough architecture, which used multiple black-and-white cameras that were fused with the color from a single RGB camera.
