The old name for Meta Quest is Oculus. This significant rebranding reflects the company's broader vision and integration of virtual reality technology under the Meta umbrella.
From Oculus to Meta Quest
Originally, the virtual reality headsets now known as Meta Quest were part of the Oculus brand. Oculus was a pioneering company in the virtual reality space, acquired by Facebook (now Meta Platforms) in 2014. For several years, products like the Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest were released under this established name.
The Evolution of VR Hardware Naming
The name transition from Oculus to Meta Quest represents a strategic shift by Meta Platforms to unify its various products and services under a single corporate identity. This change aimed to clearly align the company's VR hardware with its overarching metaverse vision, emphasizing the "Meta" brand.
| Old Brand Name | New Brand Name | Product Type |
|---|---|---|
| Oculus | Meta Quest | VR Headsets |
| Oculus Rift | N/A (earlier PC VR) | VR Headset (PC-tethered) |
| Oculus Quest 2 | Meta Quest 2 | Standalone VR Headset |
| Oculus Quest Pro | Meta Quest Pro | Professional VR Headset |
Why the Name Change?
The decision to change the name from Oculus to Meta Quest was part of a larger corporate rebranding initiative. Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook, Inc.) announced this change in late 2021 as it pivoted towards building the metaverse. The goal was to consolidate its VR efforts and hardware under the main "Meta" brand, making it clear that Quest devices are integral to their metaverse strategy. This move aimed to:
- Unify Branding: Bring all VR products under the main Meta brand.
- Clarify Vision: Reinforce Meta's focus on the metaverse.
- Simplify Identity: Streamline communication around their VR ecosystem.
You can learn more about the current Meta Quest products on the Official Meta Quest Website.
Key Milestones in the Quest Line
The product line has seen several iterations, with the naming convention evolving along the way:
- Oculus Quest (2019): The first standalone VR headset that didn't require a PC.
- Oculus Quest 2 (2020): A highly successful successor, later rebranded to Meta Quest 2.
- Meta Quest Pro (2022): The first device to launch directly under the Meta Quest branding, targeting professional users.
- Meta Quest 3 (2023): The latest consumer-focused standalone headset, continuing the Meta Quest naming.
This progression highlights the journey from an independent VR pioneer to a core component of Meta's ambitious metaverse project.
