Meta Unveils Quest 3 VR Headset To Challenge Apple's Vision Pro; Stock Dips As AI Leader Resigns

As the tech industry’s virtual reality (VR) battle heats up, Meta Platforms Inc. META has thrown down the gauntlet with the unveiling of Quest 3, the latest addition to its acclaimed VR headset lineup, during their annual Connect developer conference on Wednesday.

This announcement comes in the midst of a mounting rivalry with Apple Inc. AAPL, which is poised to launch its eagerly awaited Vision Pro headset, initially announced in June.

Quest 3 Starting Price Will Be $499

As reported by the CNBC, the Quest 3 VR headset is set to debut at a starting price of $499, which represents a $200 increase compared to its predecessor, the Quest 2. This latest device boasts an upgraded Qualcomm Inc. QCOM chip, improved screens, and introduces an innovative feature known as “passthrough.”

This passthrough feature allows users to quickly glimpse the real world outside the headset, enhancing comfort during extended usage.

In addition to the passthrough feature, the enhanced VR headset features “pancake lenses” that enhance image clarity and support higher resolutions. Customers can start placing pre-orders for the headset starting Wednesday, with shipping scheduled to commence on Oct. 10, CNBC reports

Meta’s Quest 2 achieved considerable commercial success, with nearly 10 million units sold in the previous year. However, it remains unclear how many Quest 2 owners are regular users.

Meta Platforms Tumbles Amid Departure Of AI Chief

Shares of Meta Platforms Inc. fell 2.5% on Wednesday, hit by the unexpected departure of Alexis Black Bjorlin, the vice president of infrastructure at Meta Platforms, Reuters reported.

Bjorlin is a seasoned professional with prior extensive experiences at chip giants Broadcom Inc. AVGO and Intel Corp INTC. At Meta Platforms, she led a team responsible for crafting a bespoke chip tailored to manage various AI tasks.

Yee Jiun Song, who serves as Meta’s vice president of engineering, will assume her position at the end of the month.

Read Next: Meta’s Threads Faces Uphill Battle In Rivalry With Elon Musk’s X, Remains Ahead Of Only Tumblr

Photo: Shutterstock