Meta has been gambling a lot of its future on the “Metaverse”, the virtual reality world it seeks to build. While its social media applications have generally fared well, it struggles to convert users to this new ecosystem.
A large part of the Metaverse’s problem is the high cost of the hardware to access it. Meta has gotten to the point where it is giving away its hardware to tech influencers. Futurism reports:
The sleek device, which initially went on sale for an eye-watering $1,500, has really struggled to catch on since then, just as we predicted at the time.
And now, as Mixed Reality News reports, Meta is literally resorting to giving them away for free: Attendees of this year’s developer conference for the global gaming platform Roblox each got a free Meta Quest Pro. While it’s unclear how many people attended the event, it’s a clear indication that the device isn’t exactly flying off the shelves.
Not only does Facebook’s device cost a lot, it also lacks integration with current applications. Opp.Today has more:
According to a recent report, Apple Vision Pro is automatically compatible with almost all iPhone and iPad apps without developers having to make any changes. This seamless integration is a remarkable achievement, made possibleApple’s ownership and control over the entire app stack.
On the other hand, Meta’s Quest headsets allegedly lack access to all Android apps due to the absence of Google Play Store and Google Mobile Services (GMS). While it is technically possible to sideload 2D apps onto a Quest, the inability to have GMS limits the compatibility of the headset with Android apps. GMS is essential for the proper functioning of many Android apps, ensuring important security patches and features.
Meta’s gamble on the Meta Verse could end up being a financial failure. It cannot compete with Apple on the luxury VR market, but its devices are not accessible to most consumers.
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