ZUCKER-VISION!
Top-secret design of secret Mark Zuckerberg VR goggles ‘leaked’ online – fans call it ‘huge win’ but have big complaint
There might be good news on the price though
A TOP-SECRET headset masterminded by Mark Zuckerberg has been leaked online.
Images and details of the Meta-branded virtual reality goggles appear to have been published early – weeks before the official release date.
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The Meta Quest 3S headset was rumored to launch at a special event in September.
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg is expected to show off the hi-tech specs at Meta Connect, which takes place in California on September 25 to 26.
The annual event is where the tech mogul and his team show off their new wares.
This year, Meta is expected to show off a number of VR and artificial intelligence advances – including the Meta Quest 3S.
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It's expected to be a cheaper alternative to last year's Meta Quest 3 headset.
The Meta Quest 3 costs $499.99 in the United States and £479.99 in the United Kingdom.
There's no word on pricing for the Quest 3S, but it could be significantly cheaper.
We've seen several leaked images of what may be the upcoming headset, including from an X account named as well as .
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The headset appears to look similar to the Meta Quest 2, but with a much flatter front.
It also has more cameras on the front, clearly visible in triangle arrangements.
Apple Vision Pro review I've been wearing hi-tech headset every day – there are three places I'm obsessed with using it
This suggests that it may offer a full-color Passthrough mode that lets you see virtual objects overlaid onto a view of the real world around you.
The headset also appears to borrow the strap-style (and rough overall design) of the Quest 3.
Like the Quest 3, the Quest 3S is expected to let you enter Mark Zuckerberg's virtual metaverse world.
This lets you play games, visit friends, teleport to strange and distant locations, and even work virtually inside the headset.
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You'll be able to interact using your Meta avatar, which you can customize to look like you.
And you'll even be able to create your own virtual worlds for other people to explore.
However, the cheaper cost may come with a downside.
It's rumored that that headset will have a lower display quality compared to Meta's more expensive headsets.
CHEAP META GOGGLES – THE WINNER THAT ZUCKERBERG NEEDS?
Here's what , Head of Technology and Science at The Sun and The U.S. Sun, has to say...
A cheaper headset would be a smart move by Mark Zuckerberg.
The reaction to virtual reality is often "wow" – but so few people get the chance to try it.
For instance, Apple's Vision Pro spatial computer costs an enormous $3,499.
And the Meta Quest Pro – though far cheaper – still comes in at $999.99.
Even the Meta Quest 3, which is seen as a more budget device, costs $499.99.
It's an incredible gadget but the mark-up instantly limits who can get their hands on one.
If Zuckerberg can shave $100 or even $200 off the price, the appeal broadens massively.
And the more people that own a headset, the more developers will be interested in producing apps and content for it.
This in turn drives more people to buy the headset, and spurring on yet more development.
With a cyclical effect like this, Meta could move its headsets from a more niche gadget for geeks to a true mainstream product.
For example, many people are happy to throw hundreds at the latest console – and one day the same could be true for VR headsets.
But will Meta be able to bring the price low enough to get buyers on board – while still making it worth the company's while? We'll soon find out.
But that may be a small price to pay for potentially huge savings.
FAN FAVORITE?
Fans have already been reacting to the new design.
One user on Reddit said: "It’s a huge win for Meta if they can sell this for no more then $350.
"I just purchased the Quest 3 finally yesterday on sale for $430 and it took that price for me to jump on it.
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"Meta needs to move as many units as possible and that will cause more developers to support the ecosystem.
"Wanna point out that the Quest 3 experience has been incredible so far."
Another said "I like the design", with their comment earning dozens of upvotes.
But other fans were torn on the new look.
What is VR? Virtual reality explained
Here's what you need to know about the revolutionary tech...
- Virtual reality allows you to experience and interact with a 3D world that isn’t real.
- To enter this virtual world you must don a VR helmet – a headset with a screen inside that makes you feel like you’re somewhere else.
- This mounted display strapped to your eyes mixed with stereo sound and movement tracking lets you explore this immersive virtual world.
- You turn your head and the environemnt turns with you, making the illusion feel even more “real”.
- Modern VR headsets began as expensive PC-linked helmets like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, but cheaper options quickly emerged, including affordable goggles like the Samsung Gear VR that work by slotting a smartphone in the headset.
- The downloadable apps range from VR games to 360-degree videos created by publishers like the BBC and The Discovery Channel.
- They can transport you to 3D worlds that aren’t accessible in real life, like a trip to Mars or a spin behind the wheel of a futuristic sports car.
- Until recently, these experiences relied on a PC or smartphone to generate this virtual world.
- But now headsets like the Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, and Apple Vision Pro run using their own built-in computing systems
One said: "Functional yes, good...nah. The black Quest 3 looked good, the Apple Vision Pro looks premium, this looks...functional in my opinion."
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Another added: "Yeah it doesn't look that great, but depending on the price, I might add it to my collection."
The U.S. Sun has asked Meta for comment and will update this story with any response.
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