We’ve sought a firsthand account of Chris Coulombe’s experience with the Meta Quest Pro from him directly, as our readers would normally receive updates immediately from UploadVR. Although we’ve been informed that future demos may take place in New York, pending this opportunity, we’ve requested that Coulombe provide us with written insights into his time wearing the glasses.
On September 25, Meta Join experienced a remarkable day.
Recalling my encounters during Oculus Connect, I relished the opportunities to connect with various innovative minds in the XR community, some of whom I had known for several years, while others I had only met virtually prior to our in-person meeting. The keynote speaker delivered a thrilling presentation, featuring live, in-real-time demonstrations alongside a stumble That Mark Zuckerberg accepted his responsibilities with a sense of modesty. Mark Rabkin Confirmed a comprehensive overview of Unreal Engine, including its features and capabilities, and successfully integrated the Digicam entry, showcasing its potential applications within the engine. Andrew Bosworth apologized To address the fragmented developer ecosystem and alleviate concerns about creating content for HorizonOS, we aim to streamline the process, making it more accessible and efficient for developers to create high-quality applications in the future.
Additionally, there was a 10-year AR glasses challenge referred to as Orion, aiming to pioneer the development of augmented reality technology and its widespread adoption. As soon as the keynote concluded, I was swiftly escorted into a room featuring a prominent QR code on a desk, an assortment of kitchen utensils, and my own personalized Orion glasses, which were waiting for me to put them to the test.
How did I end up in this predicament?
Just a few brief weeks ago, I received an invitation to join Meta at the last minute, leaving me wondering whether attending would be worthwhile. I’ve attended numerous conferences at Unreal Fest Seattle, and each time I’m impressed by the cutting-edge innovations presented. As part of my company’s delegation, I’ll be taking a team to this year’s event, and we’re all excited to see what new trends and technologies will emerge from the talks and workshops. a number of talksAdopted at a Star Wars convention in Orlando, where we would be showcasing our… What’s the next big thing in space travel? How about an immersive hotel experience like no other – the open-supply recreation of the Galactic Starcruiser?
The Galactic Starcruiser is an ambitious project that aims to recreate the iconic Star Wars spacecraft from scratch, using open-source hardware and software. This community-driven effort has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among space enthusiasts, engineers, and tech-savvy individuals worldwide.
The project’s scope includes designing and building a 1:1 scale replica of the Starcruiser’s exterior hull, as well as creating functional interior components like control panels, navigation systems, and even a hyperdrive simulator.. Were my intentions genuinely to accommodate Meta Join’s regular presence? Are I stuck in a stalemate and turned to social media to crowdsource opinions on whether the potential benefits outweigh the increased administrative challenges?
Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s CTO, chimed in:
We might indulge in a slice of cake; I suppose.
I like cake. And to our surprise, the mention of cake led to a demonstration of Orion glasses. I attended a truly worthwhile demonstration that justified the effort invested in getting there. Full cease.
Meta’s Prototype AR Glasses Demonstrate Unmatched Field of View
Meta has officially unveiled the prototype of its true augmented reality (AR) glasses, codenamed Orion, boasting an impressive 70-degree field of view.
As I stepped into this immersive experience, a rush of excitement coursed through me, akin to the thrill I felt when first exploring the breathtaking virtual world of Tuscany on my Oculus Rift DK1 back in 2013. As I experienced the fruits of my labor on DK1, it wasn’t just the thrill of newfound knowledge that drove me; I was also captivated by the promise of a novel type of product still in its formative stages. As a developer, I’m eager to build on this platform. I’m excited to witness what others will create. What struck me most was that it echoed every other XR machine I’d ever experienced, yet simultaneously presented something uniquely novel – a synergy where the whole surpassed its constituent parts in grandeur.
Two weeks prior to receiving my Join invitation, I used to be ruminating As I’ve noticed, individuals nowadays are increasingly demanding when it comes to their headsets, seeking ones that offer exceptional comfort, seamless connectivity, and stunning visuals. Their future seemed bleak as they gazed upon the seemingly insurmountable challenges ahead.
I envisioned a world where the machine they required already existed, and I managed a significant portion of its processing power, much like AirLink, with a seamless WiFi connection to a headless PC operating at a level my grandmother could grasp easily. Without advanced VR technologies, no seamless integration? Many individuals weighed in, dismissing my seemingly unrealistic vision. Less than a month ago, I was envisioning my first prototype; today, I’ve had the opportunity to test the initial model. One that simply could empower even the most reluctant wearers. We’re coming for you, Scott Galloway.
As I have delved into the market over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a wide range of innovative technologies, including augmented reality headsets, hand tracking, eye monitoring, gesture detection, haptic armbands, wireless XR streaming, spatial persistence, conversational AI, video conferencing with avatars, and multiplayer video games. What I had previously overlooked was the glasses’ trifecta of exceptional visual acuity, seamless responsiveness, and remarkably high frame rates, all seamlessly integrated into a design that was simultaneously comfortable, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing.
During my recent 30-minute demonstration, I’ve outlined key points in a chronological sequence for easy reference. Thomas Van Bouwel, the visionary behind the emerging sport? Laser DanceI recorded a video of your entire presentation on my phone, even though you won’t be able to view it from your end. Under the guidance of Meta’s Joshua To, I was walked through a simulation of my typical “day in the life” scenario, showcasing both casual and formal wear.
I experimented with several pairs of Orion glasses. While the decision seemed arbitrary at first glance, I suspect that other factors contributed to the outcome beyond a simple comparison of the options. The attention-monitoring setup was established. I checked out dots. I was forced to do so on two occasions due to Meta’s insistence that I maintain eye contact with the person I was conversing with.
The wristband was marginally tighter than the way I would typically secure my watch. As I sat there, I felt an instant thrill whenever the device buzzed in response to my touch. The band acknowledged a gesture reminiscent of flipping a coin, and the feeling was undeniably positive.
I barely even came close to handling the compact Wi-Fi module that performs numerous computations before broadcasting the data wirelessly to Orion. As I expected to put it away safely in my pocket, it remained lying in the middle of the room, untouched by me or anyone else, for a considerable period of time. The ‘Air Hyperlink’ connection remains stable with minimal fluctuations. Wouldn’t it be more likely that the device would overheat if used extensively or left in direct sunlight? With this guidance, I’d anticipate my smart glasses’ battery to last around two-thirds of a standard day, considering their relatively brief lifespan compared to their wristband counterparts.
Upon first glance at the Orion’s house menu, I found myself drawing parallels with pioneering AR platforms like Magic Leap, HoloLens, and XREAL, as well as Tilt 5, rather than directly comparing it to Meta Quest or the Apple Vision Pro. Why? Due to our inability to capture what’s happening via cameras, often referred to as “passthrough”. This is the unvarnished reality, presented without any filter or bias. The digital content exhibited a remarkable brightness and an expansive field of vision that gradually dissipated as it approached its boundaries.
As with Apple’s intuitive design, the initial interaction mode allows you to tap a location on your screen as if using a virtual finger, mimicking the action of clicking a traditional mouse. Unlike Apple’s imaginative and prescient professionals, who are empowered by their wristbands, I took a step back. That felt like a superpower.
The introductory menu transported me back to Apple’s Imaginative and Proven Professional desktop interface, a neat array of icon-organized modules – but as if an Eighties-era re-mastered version, featuring muted palettes and blocky pixels. The retro charm of the ’80s still holds a certain allure, don’t you think?
I was unable to resize any window, but I could move it around. Frequently, the window would experience a peculiar issue where it seemed to defy gravity, tilting downward at an awkward angle – a clear indication of a software bug. With extensive experience writing LookAt features in both C# and Blueprints, I’ve developed a knack for it.
As I opened the new window, I appreciated how it effortlessly integrated with my existing ones, smoothly rearranging their layout to create a harmonious display.
I discussed a chat with Chris Bacon via Messenger, after which he addressed me by name. Despite its lower resolution, the IRL video displayed a smooth framerate, with the streamer efficiently handling camera transitions.
While watching a Matrix-inspired sports demo on YouTube, my initial enthusiasm was tempered by a long-standing issue with augmented reality (AR) headsets: the inability to accurately display black colors, resulting in objects intended to be black becoming invisible to those without technical expertise. Here are the improvements in a different style as a professional editor:
Without utilizing specialized equipment such as passthrough cameras, it’s rare to find solutions that offer fine-grained control over how an environment is presented and overlaid.
I used to request generating a Meta AI image of a group of people in a theater wearing AR glasses – an idea I’ve previously conceptualized in various formats. Not all the time do we need to rely on AI. As someone slightly fatigued by Imaginative and prescient Professionals’ reliance on the pointer finger to thumb pinch, I welcomed a more diverse array of gestures in use here: the double-thumb tap for Meta AI, the center-finger-to-palm motion for referencing the home menu, and the coin-flip gesture for scrolling.
Representatives from Meta instructed me to utilize Meta AI by walking to a virtual kitchen environment and requesting a smoothie recipe from the AI assistant, Orion. Initially, I incorrectly posed the query “Are you able to give me a smoothie recipe?” which inadvertently triggered an excessive number of general searches. The system subsequently examined my components, assigned them reliable text labels, and generated a recipe comprising actionable steps to follow. I attempted the recipe twice due to a misrecognized pineapple on the first try. Despite this, I was once provided with a truly delectable recipe requiring unconventional ingredients readily available on hand. When we revised the design, we successfully incorporated fresh components, ensuring that each element was precisely identified, categorized, and precisely positioned. To effectively apply the concepts, I had to adapt by rearranging the components – but that might necessitate continuous observation of the objects, which wasn’t covered in this demonstration.
I’ve recently cooked while wearing my Meta Quest VR headset for the first time. I’ve successfully prepared a dish on three distinct occasions as a visionary professional with imagination. These kitchen gadgets present numerous issues, but Orion stands out as the most practical option that allows me to work efficiently throughout an entire cooking process?
Once I adjusted to the movement, I didn’t notice much blurring or significant ghosting in the image. While effortlessly browsing through Instagram, I unconsciously absorb valuable insights and constructive criticism throughout my journey. Using advanced gestures, I also leveraged the coin flip motion to effortlessly navigate through images or employed intuitive pinching and swiping actions to seamlessly scroll through content using this innovative hand-tracking system.
I subsequently explored another Messenger’s demo with a sleek Codec Avatar. I acknowledged as Jason Saragih As Josh, whoever he may have been at that moment, stood before her. Meta subsequently clarified that the incident involved Josh manipulating Jason’s virtual presence, a practice commonly employed during their demonstration showcases. I had the unique opportunity to engage in expert-level conversations with a Codec Avatar in VR at SIGGRAPH 2022, which left a lasting impression on me due to its profoundly immersive nature. I relish my “spacetime” video conferencing sessions with the Innovative and Perceptive Professionals and Personas, and I’m utilizing this technology more frequently than ever before. The Orion Codec Avatar demo’s lack of spatial rendering was likely due to its computational demands being too high to be efficiently rendered, rather than a direct consequence of its heaviness; nonetheless, it presented an impressive visual representation when viewed in a flat format and effectively bridged the uncanny valley gap. I asked him to puff out his cheeks, barely a significant gesture, and to stick out his tongue, which doesn’t actually work, so Personas will move forward regardless of what it might cost you. As I strive to redefine the limits of human performance in the digital theater space, its value is immeasurable to me. I’m eager to witness this region’s pace (arms race?) Full-throttle acceleration awaits in the face of competition.)
Throughout my tenure, I had been leveraging the wristband, repeatedly thinking, “This is exactly what I always wanted from the 2015 Myo armband.” As I indulged in the Stargazer experience, a sensation akin to what I’d previously achieved with my Myo prototype emerged, as illustrated below. I primarily applied my exceptional skills to the glasses, without the use of a hammer.
The Apple Imaginative and Prescient Professional suite of applications often boasted impressive capabilities, but were typically confined to a specific workspace; similarly, on Orion, the game was presented in a windowed format, mirroring this familiar arrangement. Unfazed by the comparison, I’d easily slip into the engaging world of Not like Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, allowing myself to be fully immersed in its immersive experience. Without encountering any frustrating clipping plane issues that had me going crazy while developing for Magic Leap.
After participating in the sporting activity, I attempted to launch a subsequent application from the home menu, only to find that the experience had become frozen in its tracks. Despite my surroundings being distorted through the camera’s lens, I didn’t experience any discomfort or need to remove my glasses. As I look back, I recall being handed a second pair of glasses. I refrained from scheduling another eye-tracking session and instead relied solely on manual control to manage my cursor using hand-eye coordination. It was truly wonderful for me as well, and I felt grateful to have had the opportunity to explore this novel emergency scenario.
The popular sport that was played in a multi-player format and went by the name of PONG. The nostalgic value of this demo’s high-quality visuals is undeniable, rendering an immersive experience that’s equally pleasing to manipulate with ease, thanks to the intuitive design of the paddle control system. As I gazed at the pixelated sphere, I felt a surge of nostalgia for classic gaming, its trajectory unfolding before me like a digital game of skill and chance, with my virtual paddle poised to intercept the incoming shot. However, this physical activity could only truly flourish in an environment where the boundaries were fully defined? While the comparison to ping pong or tennis has its charm, I wonder if a more nuanced description of the experience could elevate it?
And that was it. Are there any other issues beyond the topspin concern?
AR Glasses In The Future
Certainly, the decision may prove to be a better one. To completely eliminate any remaining hints of chromatic aberration, which were predominantly noticeable at the edges. Extraordinary virtual reality object monitoring is feasible through a diverse array of advanced XR devices, offering users a plethora of innovative options to explore. I remained inactive in the digital realm, refraining from any keyboard interactions.
Nothing in my life got to me. When it comes to dev equipment, I’m more inclined to opt for a frame rate of at least 72 frames per second with minimal latency over a less consistent high-frame-rate alternative. As a seasoned theatremaker who has successfully crafted multiple XR demonstrations, I was impressed by how seamlessly these 30-minute experiences unfolded to reveal the vision behind Orion’s current state and future trajectory. As I evolve over time, I’m confident that my growth will also positively impact those around me.
Let me be extremely meticulous. I will participate as a beta tester in the patron launch. Are we gearing up for innovation? I’m eager to consider one of these devices as a developer’s equipment or tool. dev days with. In my younger years, I would often immerse myself in a simulated environment that allowed me to freely express enthusiasm and explore new possibilities? Magic Leap and Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional. Grant applications wouldn’t harm both!
To streamline the development process for builders, why not provide developer kits and simulators at an earlier stage and on occasion? To deliver exceptional content that seamlessly integrates into your platform, we commit to producing high-quality material ahead of designated client launch dates, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for users who won’t feel overwhelmed by seeing everything at once.
Here is the improved text in a different style:
If you’re familiar with the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, you might appreciate the numerous parallels I’m drawing between it and Meta’s Orion tool, which, similarly, has consistently commanded a premium price throughout its various iterations, potentially outpacing Meta’s final pricing decision for Orion. As two industry leaders, they’re locked in an intriguing game of innovation, each trying to outdo the other by replicating their strengths and subsequently pushing the boundaries with novel features that prompt the competition to either emulate or excel. That is wholesome. That is good. While the partnership between Meta and Apple may be frustrating for some, it ultimately benefits both XR developers and consumers through generous compensation and innovative advancements.
Meta has long lacked a competitive peer group at this stage. In 2018, I will always remember with fondness You’ve received a developer device from Google – what’s next? That effectively replicated the Oculus Quest 1 on the Lenovo Mirage Solo, beating the official release by a significant six-month margin. The excitement lay not just in being a developer, but in witnessing the technological battle unfold between Google and Facebook as they vied for supremacy. Regrettably, Google discontinued its Daydream platform, opting not to adopt a client-centric approach similar to Facebook’s standalone VR headsets, as the social media giant prepared for its metamorphosis into Meta. Meta entered the market for standalone 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) headsets with little competition in place. The scarcity of genuine rivals led to a culture of complacency, hindering their ability to innovate at a pace that satisfied those seeking to weather the VR industry’s prolonged downturn.
As tech giants like Apple and others flex their muscles, and even Google’s once-dormant presence starts to stir, Meta is facing an existential crisis, forced to confront its own relevance in this rapidly shifting landscape. Will another company stake its claim as the preferred partner in the burgeoning world of extended reality (XR) and spatial computing? It’s a highly sought-after, potentially endless pursuit.
I’m eager to witness that competition.
The promise of the cake was tantalizing, and before long, our taste buds would finally get to indulge in its sweet delight.
