Meta Aims for Quest to be the Android of Virtual Reality

The Meta Quest 3 hasn’t exactly been stealing the show this year, and it’s unlikely that its latest hardware and app updates will change that perception. Still, there’s something intriguing happening in the Quest ecosystem if you’ve been keeping an eye on it. The Quest’s top software developers are aiming to make virtual reality more open and diverse, drawing a parallel to Android’s platform, as shared with Gizmodo.

In a brief chat, Meta’s director of metaverse entertainment content, Sarah Malkin, explained that the future for Quest involves “more.” More apps, more experiences, and ideally, more headsets that other companies will create. Back in April, Meta revealed it was turning Horizon OS into its own virtual reality ecosystem, with partners like Lenovo and Asus already building headsets based on Meta’s new OS.

Malkin expressed enthusiasm about the competition, mentioning Apple specifically, but stressed their belief that Meta remains the prime platform for developers due to its reach and variety. This sentiment mirrors the Android model’s success, where multiple companies use the same operating system, providing consumers with diverse options.

Malkin reiterated their commitment to expanding the range and number of experiences available on Quest, and she’s confident that Meta is the go-to platform because of its broad user base and variety of offerings.

For years, Meta’s “metaverse” aspirations haven’t quite found their footing. VR worlds seemed like a hollow concept since Meta transitioned from Facebook. However, with the tech world’s burgeoning interest in AI, Quest headsets have become significantly more open recently. Now, Game Pass and SteamVR are natively accessible on Quest through various apps. The library is more extensive, and the foundational UI is just about refined.

But where will the “more” stem from? It’s likely going to hinge on third-party developers. Meta has an edge here due to the legacy of Oculus and Quest, and its affordability compared to competitors like the Apple Vision Pro. Simply put, Quest needs a wealth of new activities, and it needs them soon.

Moving on to what’s fresh with the Meta Quest 3, recent updates to the Horizon environment don’t introduce anything groundbreaking. A couple of minor features have emerged, such as streaming Netflix directly in the browser instead of using the old 480p app. The travel mode, now operational, facilitates easier connections to airplane WiFi and minimizes turbulence interruptions. You can access this under Experimental features in the headset’s quick settings.

There are also some additions to existing apps. “Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs” now offers a mixed reality slingshot mode. Beat Saber unveiled OST 7 with both classic and new artist tracks. Plus, there’s a Daft Punk-like neon setting called “Collider.” The fitness app Supernatural introduces mixed reality modes where your coach appears in your living room rather than an abstract space.

Meta invited me to try these new additions, limited as they are. The Meta Quest 3 began as a strong, wireless VR system with solid AR capabilities, and despite some stumbling blocks since launch, it has become smoother and more refined, if not transformationally so.

Supernatural’s VR workouts surpass your usual Beat Saber session in terms of exercise. It offers excellent body and hand tracking with activities designed to keep your entire body moving rather than just your hands. Even as someone with minimal boxing experience, the workouts are enough to induce a sweat, creating the infamous headset sweat ring. Though it was the most engaging demo, it felt all too familiar. Those looking for something truly innovative in this update cycle may have to wait a bit longer.

Simultaneously, Meta began rolling out the v66 update to correct passthrough distortion and bolster Quest 3’s hand tracking in mixed reality. This update includes a new “wrist button” for accessing menus, usable within both games and apps.

None of the Quests used in Meta’s demonstrations had received the v66 update, nor have our own Quest 3s. While the devices performed well, there was a peculiar glitch in Quest 3’s main menu. Having used both the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro and the $500 Quest 3, there’s no denying Apple’s offering is sleeker with more precise eye and hand tracking; however, it doesn’t justify being seven times the price.

So, what’s next for Quest to solidify its status in VR? Not everyone will be eager to work out in VR or watch Netflix through a headset. The showcased features weren’t revolutionary but reinforced that Quest 3’s hardware improvements continue, and Meta remains committed to VR.

Beyond what’s currently available, there’s an underlying narrative with Meta Quest. Horizon OS signals Meta’s intention to foster partnerships. There’s evidence of collaboration with Microsoft, hinted by the Xbox-themed Quest 3. Details might surface during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9.

Apple is poised to reveal a significant visionOS update for the Vision Pro during WWDC 2024. Given the hype’s dip surrounding Apple’s latest gadget, this update is crucial. Analyst Ming Chi Kuo noted that after its launch, demand for the Apple headset quickly waned, with no sign of recovery. Mark Zuckerberg took a jab at Apple earlier this year, asserting that Meta’s VR tech was superior at a fraction of the cost. Paradoxically, Meta needs Apple in the fray to position itself as an open platform alternative, similar to Google’s previous strategy against Apple’s closed ecosystem.

While Meta continues investing billions of dollars into its metaverse projects, hopefully, they’ll remember that an open operating system combined with consumer choice tends to yield long-term benefits.