Meta, the tech giant behind Oculus Quest, has filed a patent that closely resembles Apple Vision Pro’s EyeSight feature, 9to5Mac reported, sparking debate over whether Facebook’s parent company is simply copying its competitors or exploring new avenues for VR interaction.
EyeSight is a controversial feature
(Photo: Liam Charmer via Unsplash) Meta has filed a new patent application for a Quest VR headset featuring Vision Pro’s EyeSight technology. Why are they copying this feature from Apple?
Promising to bridge the gap between VR users and the real world, Apple made a big announcement of EyeSight, a feature that uses facial scanning to project virtual eyes into the headset to create an immersive experience.
“We developed EyeSight because, above all, we knew that when your eyes are covered, you lose a lot of the potential for human connection. Getting that right was core to the product concept, because we wanted people to be able to maintain that connection in the real world,” the Cupertino tech giant said.
However, early reviews and user experiences have not been very positive, with many critics considering it unnecessary and even counterproductive.
Related article: YouTuber builds cheap Apple Vision Pro alternative using thrift store materials
Meta patents: Replication or evolution?
Despite EyeSight’s lukewarm response, Meta has chosen to continue down a similar path. According to Patently Apple, their patent “Embedded Sensors in an Immersive Reality Headset Enabling Social Presence” outlines a system that closely mirrors Apple’s approach.
Patent law protects methods, not ideas, but the striking similarity between the two concepts raises questions about Meta’s intentions.
It is possible that Meta sees potential in the underlying technology and aims to refine it for more effective implementation. Incorporating additional sensors to monitor health conditions could allow FB manufacturers to differentiate their version of the feature and provide unique value to users.
Ultimately, the success of any VR feature hinges on its ability to improve the user experience. If Meta can overcome the challenges that plagued EyeSight, it could revolutionize social interaction in virtual environments. But the company will need to tread carefully to avoid repeating Apple’s mistakes.
As for Vision Pro sales, Tech Times said in its latest report that sales could fall by 75% in the most recent quarter. Despite Apple’s international rollout, the company’s virtual reality headset is not guaranteed to be a top-selling wearable product for consumers.
Apparently, the high price tag is a barrier for some people who want to buy this model. It’s more expensive than other models on the market, so people are looking for other options.
If Apple wants to compete with other VR headsets, the product’s pricing has to be competitive with other brands, and as expected, a new roadmap has surfaced online that shows the iPhone maker releasing a cheaper version of the Vision Pro.
The information was shared by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who said the cheaper Vision Pro alternative is codenamed N107 and will need to be connected to an iPhone or Mac device to use it.
Related article: AI deepfake technology fuels new wave of child abuse imagery: Here’s the worrying part
ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce without permission.
