Since Facebook initially showcased its standalone Santa Cruz prototype last year, there haven’t been any updates on that front. However, recent reports suggest that the company is planning to release an all-in-one VR headset next year, priced at just $200. This could be a game-changer in the VR space, especially given the price point.
According to anonymous sources cited by Bloomberg, the new headset is internally referred to as “Pacific.†While it shares similarities with Samsung’s Gear VR in terms of interface, it will differ significantly by having all essential components built directly into the device. One source noted that the Pacific headset will be lighter than the Gear VR and will come equipped with a wireless controller for interaction. It’s expected to utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon mobile chip as its processor, offering improved gaming performance compared to Gear VR. However, it won’t feature location-tracking technology, though future iterations are expected to incorporate this capability.
Interestingly, this new headset might take a different approach from last year’s Santa Cruz prototype. The Santa Cruz was essentially a wireless version of the Rift, designed to operate independently without needing a PC connection while maintaining full Rift functionality. Does this imply that Facebook is working on two distinct devices with varying levels of processing power? Could the Santa Cruz represent a high-end desktop VR experience, while the Pacific targets the more portable, mobile VR market?
If these rumors hold true, Facebook’s move seems to be directly aimed at countering Google’s upcoming WorldSense, which is a standalone device featuring integrated location tracking and support for Google’s Daydream mobile VR ecosystem. In that case, Oculus would once again find itself in direct competition with HTC, as HTC is also set to unveil their WorldSense headset later this year. Both companies are already vying for dominance in the premium VR market with their respective offerings, the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
The news also reveals that Facebook intends to collaborate with Chinese tech giant Xiaomi and other partners to manufacture new headsets for the global market. Equipment bearing the Oculus brand will be available worldwide, while a Xiaomi-customized version is also in the works, potentially running select Xiaomi apps. Notably, Hugo Barra, who recently took charge of Oculus’ VR products, previously held a key position at Xiaomi.
In terms of content, Facebook aims to brief content creators, including video designers, by October. This initiative is part of their strategy to launch the device’s app store alongside compatible games, ensuring a robust ecosystem from day one.
All in all, Facebook appears to be making significant strides in expanding its VR offerings, positioning itself to challenge competitors like Google and HTC in both the mobile and high-end VR segments. The coming months will undoubtedly bring clarity on how these strategies unfold.
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