Meta Researchers Unveil Compact VR & MR Headsets with Ultra-wide Field-of-View

Alright, so there’s this tech conference coming up, right? And the brainiacs at Meta’s Reality Labs are all jazzed up. They’ve cooked up some crazy VR and MR headsets that, honestly, sound like something out of a sci-fi flick. I mean, they’re talking about a mind-bending 180-degree field-of-view. For context, that’s like going from looking through a pinhole to seeing the whole dang horizon. Quest 3, bless its heart, only hits around 100 degrees.

So, there’s this first headset, pure VR. They’ve got these “high-curvature reflective polarizers” (don’t ask me how those work) to pack all of that view into a tiny space. And the second one? It’s MR. Same tech but adds four cameras — the kind that make you look like an owl when you move. 80MP total resolution, 60 FPS. Wild stuff.

Oh, and the comparison game? The MR one lets you spot your buddy chilling in a chair next to you and oh — there’s a snack on your lap, like magic!

The design seems to give a nod to some old VR system called Constellation. Not sure why they keep coming back to it, but hey, if it isn’t broken, right?

Now, while these buggers are sleek, the competition, like Pimax, is out there doing similar things. They might be bulky, though. You win some, you lose some.

Meta’s researchers are out here saying their headsets are just as comfy and approachable as what’s already in stores. Apparently, wider FOVs are game-changers for telepresence and gaming. But here’s the kicker — just ’cause they’re showing it off doesn’t mean it’s hitting shelves anytime soon. I mean, Meta was teasing varifocal displays in 2018, and we’re still waiting.

Meta’s CTO, Bosworth, has his doubts. More FOV means higher costs, heavier gear, and all the headaches we don’t want — batteries running out faster than you can say “uh-oh.” Could the new research change his tune? Maybe, but who knows. Stay tuned, tech fans. This ride ain’t over.