Meta x Microsoft = Quest for Games + Work
If you believed that Meta had abandoned its metaverse ambitions, you were mistaken. Meta has recently unveiled its most recent iteration of its mixed reality headset, known as Quest 3.
During the 2Q23 results briefing, Meta's Chief Financial Officer stated, "we anticipate that operating losses for Reality Labs will rise year-over-year in 2023."
Reality Labs recorded an operating loss of $3.7 billion, a figure similar in magnitude to the preceding three quarters. This indicates that there hasn't been a reduction in metaverse-related expenditure.
Apple has also unveiled its own mixed reality headset, known as Pro Vision, but it has not yet been made available for purchase until next year.
It appears that Quest 3 has incorporated certain features that may bear similarities to Pro Vision, though it remains uncertain which company conceived them initially. One standout feature is the ability for users to swiftly observe the external environment while wearing the headset, enhancing their spatial awareness and simultaneously functioning as an augmented reality device.
What I find particularly remarkable is not the features or the attractive $499 price point (especially when compared to Apple Vision Pro priced at $3,500), but rather the collaboration between Meta and Microsoft to integrate Xbox Cloud Gaming and Microsoft 365 into the Quest by the close of 2023.
This partnership carries substantial significance because a device's value hinges on the availability of a wide and varied array of content to enjoy. Much like a smartphone's utility is contingent on a robust app store with a multitude of applications.
While the ongoing effort to attract developers to create VR applications for Quest continues, the progress will be slower compared to working with partners and bringing existing apps onto the platform.
