Facebook Connect 2020 and Sony PS5 Showcase 2020: The Biggest Launches This Week

This week, Facebook and Sony kicked off their annual event and announced exciting products. Facebook Connect 2020 launched Oculus Quest 2 and several VR initiatives, while Sony PS5 Showcase 2020 announced the launch of its next-generation PS5 video game console with release date and pricing. 

It has been an incredibly exciting week for tech enthusiasts and gamers. The week began with Apple’s Time Flies event on September 15, 2020, followed by Facebook Connect 2020 and Sony PS5 Showcase event on September 16, 2020. At the Facebook Connect 2020, the showstopper was the launch of Oculus Quest 2, while at the Sony PS5 Showcase event, the soon-to-debut PS5 stole the show. Let’s delve more into the two mega-events of the week.

Facebook Connect 2020

Facebook rebranded its annual AR/VR conference, Oculus Connect, as Facebook Connect this year. Marking its 7th annual conference, Facebook took the stage virtually to unveil Oculus Quest 2, several VR games, apps, research projects, and a partnership with EssilorLuxottica. 

For years, Facebook has been investing heavily in AR/VR technology and projects. The company has been accelerating its virtual reality ambitions since 2014. It first acquired VR startup Oculus VR in 2014, followed by neural interface startup CTRL-Labs and VR game studio Beat Games in 2019. 

More recently, in 2020, the company acquired Sanzaru Games, Scape Technologies, and Ready at Dawn. With an arsenal of talent and companies, Facebook continues to strengthen its foothold in the AR/VR market. Now with the launch of Oculus Quest 2, it has bolstered its virtual reality dreams. Let’s dive into the major launches of the event.

• Oculus Quest 2 launched

Oculus Quest 2, the next generation of all-in-one VR was the highlight of the eventOpens a new window . Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform processor and a 6 GB RAM, Quest 2 features 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye resolution display, new touch controllers with better ergonomics, integrated speakers and microphone, better battery life, and a built-in IPD adjustment mechanism for visual comfort. 

The company has redesigned its headset, 10% lighter than the Quest, for easier wear and portability. Facebook plans to shut down Oculus Rift or PC-only headsets in 2021 and will continue to focus on standalone VR headsets. Preorders for Oculus Quest 2 started on September 16, 2020, but will be shipped from October 13, 2020. Its pricing starts at $299 for 64 GB headset and $399 for 256 GB headset.

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• Oculus Move rolled out

With the onset of COVID-19, several tech companies have shifted their focus to creating health-related devices and wearables. After Apple announced the launch of Fitness+ workout service at Apple Time Flies Event 2020., Facebook also rolled out Oculus MoveOpens a new window , a unified dashboard that will help Quest players to track their fitness goals across their VR apps. Facebook plans to roll out the feature on the Quest platform later this year.

• A host of new games and apps introduced 

Facebook announcedOpens a new window a list of new, high-quality games and apps for its Oculus Quest 2. The company announced a partnership with Ubisoft to develop VR-centric Assassin’s Creed and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell games. Several other games like Star Wars Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge, Jurassic World: Aftermath, Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, Population: One, Beat Saber, Myst, The Climb 2, and Warhammer 40k: Battle Sister were also announced. 

Additionally, Facebook launched several new apps to make its Quest 2 more than a gaming device. Some of the new VR-centric apps include Infinite Office, Facebook Messenger, New Spark AR experience, and Oculus Challenges.

• The launch of smart glasses announced

Facebook has taken a giant leap in its smart glasses development. The company announced a multi-year partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear maker of Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Armani, to develop next-generation Ray-Ban branded smart glasses in 2021. The product comes in direct competition to Snapchat Spectacles, Vuzix Blade, and Bose Frames, and a significant win for Facebook’s AR/VR ambitions.

Andrew Bosworth, VP of Facebook Reality Labs, saidOpens a new window , “We’re passionate about exploring devices that can give people better ways to connect with those closest to them. Wearables have the potential to do that. With EssilorLuxottica, we have an equally ambitious partner who’ll lend their expertise and world-class brand catalog to the first truly fashionable smart glasses.”

• Project Aria announced 

Facebook announced Project Aria, a research initiative to build the first generation of wearable AR devices. It is a research device with sensors to capture the wearer’s location data, head, and eye movements, enabling Facebook developers to build smarter future glasses. The device won’t be available for sale, but it will be available to a limited group of Facebook employees and contractors in the U.S.

Nathan White, privacy policy manager at Facebook Reality Labs, saidOpens a new window , “We built this research device with privacy in mind, and we put provisions in place around where and how we’ll collect data, as well as how it will be processed, used, and stored. Ultimately, Project Aria is going to help us develop the safeguards, policies, and even social norms necessary to govern the use of AR glasses and other future wearable devices.” 

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Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) Showcase 2020

At the Sony PS5 showcase event, Sony announced its PS5, the next-generation video game console, along with a long list of exciting games and accessories to gauge the interest of gamers across the globe. 

• The launch of interactive PS5 announced

After Microsoft announced its new Xbox Series X console launch date, Sony had to buckle up against its rival with the announcementOpens a new window of its new, next-generation PS5 console. The much-awaited PS5 will launch on November 12, 2020, in the U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and on November 19, 2020, for the rest of the world. 

The PS5 Digital Edition will cost $399 (U.S.), while PS5 with ultra HD blu-ray disc drive will cost $499 (U.S.). The PS5 pre-orders will go live on September 17, 2020.

PS5 Global launch schedule: pic.twitter.com/zgwfUX6iVlOpens a new window

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 16, 2020Opens a new window

In a blog post, Sony saidOpens a new window , “We’re pleased to provide choice to gamers with two PS5 console options at launch, depending on if you want a digital-only experience or prefer disc-based gaming. Whichever PS5 you choose, you’ll enjoy the same breathtaking, next-gen gaming experiences. Both PS5 models use the same custom processor with integrated CPU and GPU for high-fidelity visuals, including 4K graphics and ray-tracing support, as well as the same ultra-high-speed SSD with integrated I/O for lightning-fast loading. PS5’s 3D audio and the DualSense Wireless Controller will also provide the same heightened sense of immersion on all PS5s.”

• New games and accessories announced

Sony announced a list of new games coming to PS5, including Final Fantasy 16, Fortnite PS5, Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition, God of War 2: Ragnarok, Spider-Man PS5: Miles Morales, Hogwarts Legacy, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and much more. The company also announced PS4 versions of some of their exclusive games, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Sackboy A Big Adventure, and Horizon Forbidden West. 

Additionally, the company announced a host of new accessories with its new console. These include DualSense controller ($69.99), PULSE 3Dâ„¢ wireless headset ($99.99), HD Camera ($59.99), Media Remote ($29.99), DualSense charging station ($29.99).

It is interesting to note that the COVID-19 outbreak hasn’t dampened the spirits of the tech industry. Despite the pandemic, the tech industry has continued to surprise its users with a myriad of tech products. The upcoming holiday season is going to be special for tech enthusiasts and gamers. From Apple’s smart watches and iPads to Facebook’s VR headsets, Xbox Series X, and PS5, tech enthusiasts can splurge into various products during the holidays. 

Are you thrilled about these exciting new products from Facebook and Sony?  Comment below or let us know on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!