Meta CTO confirms passthrough improvements for Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3, hailed as the world's most in-demand mixed reality headset, has been turning heads with its cutting-edge tech. One of its star features is passthrough.

But hold on, there's a twist. While Meta Quest 3's passthrough is a step up from its predecessors, it's not without its quirks. Users have noticed that in lower light conditions, the passthrough quality takes a hit. It's like looking through a grainy old TV screen. Moreover, there's some distortion around hands and nearby objects, and fast-moving objects can appear jerky. These issues, understandably, can lead to discomfort and a recipe for queasiness.

Meta's CTO (Chief Technology Officer), Andrew Bosworth, revealed some intriguing details about the Quest 3 and its features. Bosworth's favorite feature? The mesmerizing color waves that captivate users. However, one of the significant challenges they face is the quest for lighter glass. Their focus is on reducing the surface area for an improved user experience.

Regarding the passthrough technology in the Quest 3, Bosworth expressed his excitement about users positive experiences, even witnessing people doing everyday tasks like dishwashing while using it. He confirmed that passthrough quality will indeed get better over time. As they gather real-world lighting data and insights from user headsets, they plan to fine-tune the algorithms, particularly in-depth estimation and distortion handling.(via Mixed Reality News)

Bosworth highlighted his enthusiasm for eye tracking, a feature he personally enjoys, and emphasized their commitment to affordability. Each headset, according to him, has its unique recipe for success.

Furthermore, Meta has an exciting program on the horizon for later this year called "Augments." It runs during passthrough, allowing users to access and interact with content seamlessly.

In a twist, Apple's upcoming release, the Apple Vision Pro, expected to launch this spring, might throw down the gauntlet. Priced significantly higher than the Quest 3, this mixed reality headset is anticipated to set new standards for passthrough quality. This competition might just be the push Meta needs to ramp up developments on the Quest 3 even further.

When asked about the comparison between the Vision Pro and Quest 3, Bosworth emphasized that price wasn't the sole factor. Meta envisions a future where they continue to innovate in terms of inputs and display technology, with several headsets currently in development, looking ahead 2-5 years into the future.

Well, as tech evolves, so does our power to merge the real and the digital. Let's sit back and look forward to the improvements Quest 3 brings for us.