Notebookcheck Logo

Meta demonstrates VR headset prototypes with major improvements over the Oculus Quest 2

The Holocake 2 is one of many prototypes that Meta and Zuckerberg have shown. (Image source: Meta)
The Holocake 2 is one of many prototypes that Meta and Zuckerberg have shown. (Image source: Meta)
Mark Zuckerberg has shown what VR-related projects Meta is currently working on. With at least four prototypes in play, Meta hopes to release a consumer device with better optics, improved depth of field and HDR support, among other changes.

Mark Zuckerberg has demonstrated several prototype VR headsets, just under two months after Ming-Chi Kuo shared details about a potential Quest 2 Pro. Incidentally, one of the headsets looks like Project Cambria, the first rumblings of which emerged last year.

As Zuckerberg explains in the video below, Meta has developed prototypes to tackle specific challenges with existing VR headsets. If all goes well, Meta will roll all its learnings into a single consumer-focussed VR headset. Firstly, Meta has 'Butterscotch', a codename for a headset that attempts to achieve 'retinal resolution', equivalent to 60 pixels per degree. Currently, the Quest 2 offers 2.5x fewer pixels per degree than this level. In other words, Butterscotch provides 20/20 vision, up from 20/60 with the Quest 2.

Additionally, Zuckerberg highlighted Half Dome, a prototype that aims to improve depth perception with eye-tracking and varifocal optics. Moreover, Meta claims to have created the first VR headset that supports HDR. Codenamed 'Starburst', the prototype can reach 20,000 nits, considerably brighter than contemporary smartphones, laptops and external monitors.

Finally, there is Holocake 2, a working unit that Zuckerberg states is already capable of playing PC VR games. Unfortunately, Zuckerberg has not provided any details on this PC connectivity. Presumably, Holocake 2 utilises a form of Oculus Air Link, or even a VR Air Bridge. As it stands, it is unknown when Meta will release a follow-up to the Quest 2; Project Cambria is not expected to be a gaming-orientated device. 

(Image source: Meta)
(Image source: Meta)
(Image source: Meta)
(Image source: Meta)
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2022 06 > Meta demonstrates VR headset prototypes with major improvements over the Oculus Quest 2
Alex Alderson, 2022-06-21 (Update: 2022-06-21)