Meta 2 Augmented Reality Headset Development Kit Now Available For $949
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Meta today announced the second generation augmented reality product Meta 2. Meta 2 is like Microsoft HoloLens with some key differences and similarities.
Differences:
- Meta claims that Meta 2 includes game-changing breakthroughs in optics include a full 90-degree field of view and 2560 x 1440 high-dpi display. HoloLens on the other hand offers only 45 degree FoV and HD resolution.
- Meta 2 is a tethered device that requires a modern computer running Windows 8 or 10. HoloLens is an untethered device which can run on battery for about 3 hours.
- HoloLens supports Spatial mapping which provides a detailed representation of real-world surfaces in the environment around HoloLens, allowing developers to mix holograms into into the world around you. Meta 2 does not have this feature yet. Check out demo of Spatial Mapping on HoloLens here.
Similarities:
- Just like HoloLens, Meta 2 is a see-through headset allowing you to easily make eye contact with others. Similar to HoloLens, the Meta 2 sensor array makes positional tracking possible to see, grab and move holograms just like physical objects. You can also track objects, such as a pen or paint brush. Based on the hands-on experiences bloggers posted about Meta 2, the gesture support on HoloLens seems to be miles ahead.
- Meta 2 provides a new kind of operating environment where you can arrange your holographic apps and objects. You can lay out your workspace and things stay exactly where you put them. You and a friend or colleague can even interact with the holograms simultaneously. We have seen several demos of the same using Microsoft HoloLens.
- With Meta 2, the world becomes your desktop background, allowing you to run Windows applications. HoloLens will allow you to run Universal Windows Apps.
- The included Meta 2 SDK is built on top Unity enables you to create holographic apps quickly and easily with Unity and C#. The SDK includes SLAM, hands interaction tracking, occlusion, collaboration, neurointerface design guidelines, example code, apps, documentation, and support. You can also build Holographic apps for HoloLens using Unity and C#.
Tech Specs:
- 90-degree field of view
- 2560 x 1440 display resolution
- Designed for comfort with everything below the eyebrows completely transparent and unobstructed so you can easily make eye contact with others.
- Meta 2 works while wearing eyeglasses and can be comfortably worn for hours under most circumstances.
- 720p front-facing camera
- Sensor array for hand interactions and positional tracking
- 4 speaker near-ear audio
- Brightness and volume control
- 9 foot cable for video, data, and power (HDMI Version 1.4b or DisplayPort)
- Support for Windows applications, including:
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Spotify
Mac support planned for this year.
- Meta operating environment
- Meta 2 is a tethered device that requires a modern computer with Windows 8 or 10.
Meta has begun taking pre-orders at www.metavision.com for Meta 2 Development Kit for $949.
