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ByteDance’s Pico reveals its newest VR headset because it goals to compete with Meta Quest 2

Written by Jeff Lampkin

subsidiary Pico has . The Pico 4 will initially be accessible in Japan, South Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and eight different European international locations. Pico hasn’t revealed US launch plans as but, nevertheless it goals to deliver the gadget to Singapore and Malaysia by the top of the 12 months, and China at a later date.

The headset — which has a Qualcomm XR2 processor, an Adreno 650 GPU and 8GB of RAM — can be utilized as a standalone gadget. Pico claims the battery, which is within the rear strap to assist maintain issues balanced, provides round three hours of use on a single cost, as notes. The gadget weighs 295 grams with out the strap and 586 grams when it is hooked up.

It’s also possible to join Pico 4 to a gaming PC for higher-end VR experiences. That could be essential to make full use of the twin shows, which provide larger than 4K decision at 4,320 x 2,160 decision for every eye. The shows have a 90Hz refresh fee and 105-degree subject of view, in response to   

The Pico 4 makes use of inside-out monitoring without having for exterior beacons. It comes with Pico 4 movement controllers (which have vibration options) and there are 4 exterior cameras, as factors out. In line with the Pico website, the gadget will provide full-color passthrough — one thing Meta is engaged on for its Undertaking Cambria headset. 

A person wearing the Pico 4 virtual reality headset.

Pico

On condition that ByteDance additionally owns , it should not be shocking that there is a approach to view movies from that app. You’ll share VR experiences to TikTok as properly. There might be a whole lot extra issues to observe in VR and 360 codecs. Pico is working to deliver dwell sports activities and “avatar-based concert events” to the platform as properly. 

As for video games, there are 165 of them within the Pico retailer and extra being added every week. The headset will help the likes of Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, Demeo, , All-in-One Summer time Sports activities VR and Simply Dance VR (which can arrive in 2023 as a Pico unique). There may even be SteamVR help.

In the meantime, there are plans to launch a metaverse-style expertise referred to as Pico Worlds subsequent 12 months. In contrast to in Meta’s , Pico’s avatars seem to have legs.

Contemplating the worth and specs, it is Pico is attempting to compete with Meta Quest 2 (Meta lately of that product). Whether or not the model can hold with Meta on the content material entrance stays to be seen. Customers are unlikely to have the ability to play Beat Saber, as an example. Pico additionally revealed its newest gadget only a few weeks earlier than Meta will exhibit at the least one VR headset, prone to be the higher-end Undertaking Cambria mannequin, .

A Pico 4 with 128GB of storage prices €429 (round $422). A mannequin with double the storage capability will run you €499 (roughly $491). Preorders open subsequent month and the headset will ship on October 18th. Pico additionally to launch some equipment subsequent 12 months. A extra correct health tracker, a wi-fi dongle for PC connectivity and a carrying case will every price €50 (or round $49).

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About the author

Jeff Lampkin

Jeff Lampkin was the first writer to have joined gamepolar.com. He has since then inculcated very effective writing and reviewing culture at GamePolar which rivals have found impossible to imitate. His approach has been to work on the basics while the whole world was focusing on the superstructures.