The augmented reality headset wars have begun

Floating just inches from my face was a semi-translucent brain. It was, this being Austin, missing a few pieces. To my left floated the frontal lobe. I reached out with my virtual left hand, tapped it and the lobe floated into place. The brain and my first taste of Meta 2 augmented reality were complete.

The experience was not wholly unfamiliar. I've tried out Microsoft's HoloLens — the best-known augmented reality headset — fending off invaders crawling through hotel walls and walking around a virtual solar system. It's impressive.

Meta 2, which Meta is showing off here at SXSW in Austin, Texas, where there are dozens of panels and sessions devoted to AR and virtual reality (VR), is impressive on its own.  Read more...