Hands-on with Meta's next VR headset

Meta's latest virtual reality (VR) glasses aim to make the technology more accessible to the average person by reducing bulk and eliminating the need for handheld controllers. Unlike previous attempts, these new VR devices have not successfully transitioned from the gamer niche to mainstream appeal. However, the slimmed-down design comes at the cost of a wired "puck" that holds the device's essential computing components, such as the processor, battery, and storage.

During a test of the prototype, I spent about half an hour trying out the new glasses, which use eye-tracking, hand gestures, and voice commands for control. Magnetic prescription inserts, similar to those found in Apple's Vision Pro, attach easily to the glasses. For entertainment, I watched a movie, an immersive concert, and played the game Beat Saber using hand motions. I also used the glasses to watch a clip from the NBA finals and perform "vibe coding" on a website with three virtual monitors.

Meta VP of product Angela Chang described the new VR glasses as a "general device" designed to serve a variety of purposes, from watching videos to working. Chang emphasized that the glasses are not built for any specific use case. With a design that is more practical and wearable outside the house, Meta aims to appeal to users beyond just gamers.

Google is also working on a similar device, Project Aura, which will be released later this year, partnering with Xreal. Meta highlights its wider field of view and higher optical quality as advantages over Aura.

However, Meta executives revealed that the new VR glasses will not be available until next spring, as they want to ensure a high-quality software experience. Chang stated that Meta has modest expectations for unit sales, but considers success to be attracting users who may not have previously considered VR.