Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, recently criticized Apple’s new headset in a personal manner.
The Vision Pro gained significant attention when celebrities like Diplo and T-Pain were spotted wearing it in public. Its unique “passthrough” feature enables users to see their surroundings while using the device.
However, in a video captured using the Meta Quest 3’s passthrough feature, Zuckerberg confidently stated that his company’s headset is the top-notch product in the market.
Apple has been contacted for a comment. With passthrough, users of the latest mixed reality headsets can now have the ability to see what’s happening beyond the screen that’s attached to their head.
With the help of cameras placed on the outside of the headset, users can now enjoy a real-time, high-definition video feed of their surroundings. This allows them to conveniently wear the headset while walking or exercising.
Meta has dedicated a significant amount of time to developing this technology, with several years of effort behind it. Additionally, it is worth noting that similar features can be found on competing products like Sony’s PlayStation VR 2.
However, it is evident that Zuckerberg is frustrated by the fact that the Vision Pro is receiving praise for technology that is already available elsewhere.
“I believe Quest is the superior product, without a doubt,” he stated.
“It appears that many individuals made the assumption that Vision Pro would offer superior quality solely based on its association with Apple and its higher price tag of $3,000 (£2,400).”
“To be honest, I’m quite surprised by how much better Quest is for most of the tasks people use these headsets for, considering the price difference.”
Recently, a number of individuals have taken to social media to express their decision to return their Apple headsets. One of these individuals is Parker Ortolani, a product manager, who commended the device but ultimately concluded that the drawbacks in terms of physical aspects were not justified.
It’s Quite Significant
Zuckerberg dedicated a significant portion of the video to emphasize the advantages of the Quest 3. He highlighted features such as the freedom to move without a cable and the ability to socialize. However, he repeatedly pointed out the disparity in price as the most significant factor.
“I believed that Quest would offer better value for most individuals due to its excellent quality and significantly lower price,” he stated.
“I believe it offers a significantly enhanced level of comfort, and we specifically engineered it to be 120 grams lighter, resulting in a noticeable difference in how it feels on your face.
“The absence of wires hindering your movement is truly significant.”
In addition, he mentioned that the Quest 3 offers a broader field of view and a potentially brighter screen.
Zuckerberg acknowledged the benefits of the Vision Pro, such as its improved resolution. However, he expressed his surprise at the compromises that had to be made in other aspects to achieve these advantages.
In addition, he expressed admiration for the eye-tracking capabilities of Apple’s headset, a unique feature that sets it apart from the Quest 3.
‘Fanboys’
In the conclusion of the video, Zuckerberg discussed the potential future of mixed reality.
In an unexpected twist, he openly criticized individuals who become upset whenever someone dares to question Apple’s potential as a leader in a particular technology.
“However, it is important to acknowledge that throughout the history of computing, there have always been both open and closed models,” he stated, alluding to Apple’s strict control over the installation of apps on its devices.
“Indeed, in the realm of mobile devices, Apple’s closed model emerged victorious. However, it is important to note that this is not always the case. If we cast our minds back to the PC era, Microsoft’s open model reigned supreme.”
“In this upcoming generation, Meta is poised to become the leading open model, and it is crucial to me that the open model emerges victorious once more.”
