Meta’s Quest Pro Faces Commercial Failure and Production End
Despite initial excitement and anticipation, Meta’s Quest Pro headset has struggled to find success in the market. The former Oculus CTO, John Carmack, recently revealed that he had doubts about the device even before its launch, stating that he “tried hard” to kill it. His concerns stemmed from the belief that the Quest Pro would be a commercial failure and divert resources from more valuable projects.
Carmack’s skepticism regarding the Quest Pro was not unfounded. The headset’s underwhelming resolution, grainy passthrough, lack of automatic room sensing for mixed reality, and less detailed avatars were met with mixed reviews. Additionally, leaks about an upcoming Quest 3 with better specifications and a lower price further dampened the Quest Pro’s value proposition.
The struggles continued post-launch as well. Just four months after its release, the price of the Quest Pro was slashed from $1500 to $1000, a move that was unprecedented for a newly launched product. This significant price cut strongly suggests that the headset failed to meet its sales targets. The Information also reported that Meta had ceased ordering new Quest Pro components due to weak sales, indicating that production would come to an end once the remaining components ran out.
The disappointing performance of the Quest Pro is further exemplified by its usage statistics. Currently, only 0.57% of SteamVR users utilize the headset, which is significantly lower compared to previous Oculus devices. Developers have also noted that only a fraction of their user base owns the Quest Pro, resulting in a lack of support for its eye-tracked foveated rendering.
In the face of these challenges, Meta seems to be shifting its focus to other endeavors. The company recently announced the rebranding of its Quest system software to Meta Horizon OS, making it available to third-party headset manufacturers such as ASUS and Lenovo. This move suggests that Meta may delegate high-end hardware development to other companies in the near future.
While the Quest Pro may have fallen short of expectations, Meta’s strategic moves and partnerships indicate that they are not giving up on delivering high-quality VR experiences. The cancellation of a near-term successor to the Quest Pro opens up the possibility of a future Pro line featuring groundbreaking features and specifications. In the meantime, consumers can anticipate the release of third-party headsets running Meta’s Horizon OS, catering to specific use cases and offering unique features.
Additional facts:
1. Meta’s Quest Pro faced stiff competition from other virtual reality (VR) headsets in the market, such as the HTC Vive Pro and Sony PlayStation VR. These competitors offered similar or better specifications at lower price points, making it difficult for the Quest Pro to stand out.
2. The decision to slash the price of the Quest Pro just four months after its release indicates that the initial pricing strategy was not effective in attracting customers. The price cut may have been a desperate attempt to boost sales and clear out inventory.
3. Meta’s focus on rebranding its Quest system software as Meta Horizon OS and partnering with third-party headset manufacturers highlights a shift in strategy towards software and collaboration. By making their software available to other companies, Meta aims to expand the reach of their VR experiences beyond their own hardware.
4. The usage statistics of the Quest Pro on SteamVR indicate that it has failed to gain traction among PC gamers, who are a significant user base for VR. This lack of adoption may be due to the headset’s shortcomings in resolution, passthrough quality, and avatar detail compared to other options available in the market.
5. The cancellation of a near-term successor to the Quest Pro raises questions about Meta’s future plans for high-end VR hardware. It remains to be seen whether they will prioritize the development of a new flagship headset or focus on collaborations with other companies.
Key questions and answers:
1. Why did Meta’s Quest Pro struggle to find success in the market?
– The headset had underwhelming resolution, grainy passthrough, and less detailed avatars, leading to mixed reviews.
– Leaks about an upcoming Quest 3 with better specifications and a lower price further diminished the Quest Pro’s value proposition.
– Stiff competition from other VR headsets offered similar or better specifications at lower price points.
2. What were the key challenges or controversies associated with the Quest Pro?
– The headset faced criticism for its technical shortcomings, including resolution and passthrough quality.
– The significant price cut just four months after its release suggested weak sales and raised concerns about its value for money.
– The cancellation of a near-term successor to the Quest Pro indicated uncertainty about Meta’s hardware development plans.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
– The Quest Pro offered a wireless and standalone VR experience, eliminating the need for tethering to a PC or console.
– The ability to track movement in physical space allowed for room-scale VR experiences.
– Meta’s partnership with third-party headset manufacturers could lead to a wider range of VR options running on Meta’s software.
Disadvantages:
– The Quest Pro fell short in resolution, passthrough quality, and avatar detail compared to other VR headsets in the market.
– The price cut shortly after launch indicated weak demand and potentially poor value for money.
– The cancellation of a near-term successor raised doubts about Meta’s commitment to high-end VR hardware development.
Suggested related links:
– Oculus
– SteamVR
– HTC Vive
– PlayStation VR
– ASUS
– Lenovo
The source of the article is from the blog shakirabrasil.info