World News: Talking Tech: Facebook parent Meta unveils a $1,500 VR headset

Thursday, October 13

Happy Thursday. Hope you found everything you wanted on yet another Prime Day sale. It's Brett Molina bringing you tech headlines while I wait for my Amazon packages to show up.

Let's start with virtual reality. Early on, I was a big fan. Loved how immersed you could become playing a game, or touring some faraway location.

However, prices were expensive and using a VR headset often meant you were tethered to a PC or a video game console.

Meta (the tech giant formerly known as Facebook) changed that a bit with the introduction of its Quest headsets. They were cheaper, lighter and worked independently.

So what does Meta have in store for its next VR endeavor? A $1,500 headset it wants you to use at work. It's called the Meta Quest Pro. It's all part of the company's vision to bring everyone into the metaverse (which by the way many people are still trying to figure out what that entails).

"Quest Pro is the start of a new way to do collaborative and creative work in the metaverse," wrote Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a Facebook post Thursday.

As the Associated Press points out, what better way to help VR and the metaverse go mainstream than delivering it to the office. Look, I've got work in my pocket (smartphone) and my lap (laptop). Not sure I want work strapped directly to my face.

What else happened in tech?

End of an era at Netflix. They're rolling out a plan with advertisements.

PayPal controversy. App backtracks on new a policy to fine $2,500 for misinformation.

A new challenger to the Apple Watch? It's time for Google's latest smartwatch.

Unintended consequences. The new iPhone might call 911 if you ride a rollercoaster.

Thursday tech tip

With inflation continuing to pinch wallets across the country, it never hurts to seek out new ways to save money. These five smartphone hacks can save both time and money.