Meta Connect 2023: How to Watch the Quest 3 Keynote Live
The Meta Connect 2023 keynote is officially underway, with the company adjusting its start time to 10:30 AM PT (1:30 PM ET). While Meta has not provided a specific reason for the 30-minute delay, attendees on the ground in Menlo Park are preparing for the presentation.
For those watching from home, the most direct way to follow the announcements is through Meta’s developers page or by keeping an eye on Meta’s official Facebook page, where the event is being livestreamed.
The Quest 3: A New Consumer Focus
The centerpiece of this year’s conference is the Meta Quest 3. This release marks three years since the launch of its predecessor and follows the introduction of the enterprise-focused Quest Pro. Unlike competitors such as Magic Leap, which have shifted entirely toward corporate training and prototyping, Meta continues to prioritize the consumer market, betting heavily on gaming and the metaverse.
Mark Zuckerberg has already provided a preview of the device via his personal Instagram account. According to the CEO, the Quest 3 features several hardware upgrades:
- High-resolution color mixed reality capabilities.
- A design that is 40% thinner than the Quest 2 for improved comfort.
- Upgraded display resolution.
- A next-generation Qualcomm chipset delivering double the graphics performance.
Strategic Pricing
Meta is positioning the Quest 3 at a competitive $499 price point. This strategy aims to capture market share by significantly undercutting higher-end alternatives. The device is positioned as a more accessible option compared to:
- The Magic Leap 2, priced at $3,299.
- The Meta Quest Pro, currently at $1,000.
- Apple’s Vision Pro, which carries a $3,499 price tag.
Despite the challenges in the VR/AR market, Meta maintains a significant lead over most of the industry, with the exception of established players like Vive and PlayStation VR. Today’s keynote will clarify how the company intends to leverage this hardware to drive further adoption of its mixed-reality ecosystem.