For me the million dollar question is whether he chooses to try to compete directly with it (as in, Quest Pro 2 with increased specs) or if he tries to comfortably settle into the low end and leave the high end to Apple.
I really do hope he chooses to compete. A quick turnaround on a Quest Pro 2 with only the updates they are already shipping in the Quest 3 would put them an vastly better position and still 1/3 the price. It should be possible and it would at least set up something resembling an open-ecosystem standards based choice to balance Apple's closed proprietary approach. If not - Apple essentially has no competition at all here.
They don't actually need a quick turnaround on the Quest Pro 2, as the Apple headset is launching next year. Apple has given them plenty of warning, they have runway to comprehensively respond. Such a premature announcement is reminiscent of the Osborne effect. I think it'll negatively impact sales, and it'll make the ultimate value proposition of their first product difficult. Apple are really cashing in that brand value here...
I really do hope he chooses to compete. A quick turnaround on a Quest Pro 2 with only the updates they are already shipping in the Quest 3 would put them an vastly better position and still 1/3 the price. It should be possible and it would at least set up something resembling an open-ecosystem standards based choice to balance Apple's closed proprietary approach. If not - Apple essentially has no competition at all here.