The Meta Quest 3 hasn’t exactly been the talk of the town this year, and its recent hardware and app updates aren’t likely to change that. Nonetheless, let’s shift our focus to the Meta Quest because there’s some interesting activity happening within the Quest ecosystem that shouldn’t go unnoticed. If you’ve been keeping tabs, you’ll know that the team behind Quest’s software is aiming for a grand vision in VR, one that’s open, diverse, and reminiscent of the Android system.
In a brief interview, Sarah Malkin, Meta’s director of metaverse entertainment content, outlined the company’s current strategy for Quest as simply “more.” They’re pushing for more apps, richer experiences, and even more headsets, with Meta not necessarily being the sole manufacturer. Back in April, they announced that Horizon OS would become its VR ecosystem. Companies like Lenovo and Asus have already jumped on board with headsets that support Meta’s OS.
Malkin expressed confidence by saying, “We’re thrilled others have joined us in VR, Apple included, but we firmly believe we’re the go-to platform for development because we offer the most extensive reach and variety.”
Gizmodo pointed out that this multiple-company approach resembles Android’s success, to which Malkin agreed, highlighting the consumer choice angle.
Meta’s ambitious “metaverse” dream hasn’t been particularly steady. Since switching from Facebook to Meta, the VR spaces concept seemed a bit hollow. But with the tech industry’s current AI fixation, Meta’s Quest headsets have become more accessible. Now, you can effortlessly access Game Pass and SteamVR on Quest through various apps. The game library is expanding, and the basic UI is stabilizing.
So, where does this “more” come from? For now, third-party app developers hold the key. The Quest stands out because of the longstanding Oculus and Quest history and its competitive pricing compared to rivals like Apple’s Vision Pro. Quite simply, Quest needs more content—and it needs it soon.
When we delve into the latest updates for Meta Quest 3, we find they’re not particularly groundbreaking. There are modest enhancements, such as the ability to watch Netflix in the browser—an improvement over the outdated 480p app. Also, the new travel mode now smooths out your in-flight VR experience, which you can enable under Experimental features in quick settings.
In addition, some apps received new modes. Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs now features a mixed reality slingshot mode. Beat Saber fans can enjoy OST 7, with both old and new tracks, in a fresh Daft Punk-inspired “Collider” setting. Fitness enthusiasts using Supernatural can now experience mixed reality sessions in their living rooms instead of in a virtual cloudscape.
Meta invited me to test these new features, limited though they are. The Meta Quest 3 has progressed from an already solid wireless VR setup with AR capabilities to an enhanced, more seamless experience, even if it’s not a revolutionary leap forward.
Supernatural’s VR workouts offer a better workout than Beat Saber, focusing on full-body engagement with excellent body and hand tracking. Even a light workout gets you sweating, causing that infamous ring of sweat from the VR headset’s faceplate. While a standout demo, it still feels like familiar ground. Those eagerly anticipating truly groundbreaking features may still have to hold on for a bit longer.
With the rollout of the v66 update, Meta aims to address some passthrough distortions and enhance hand-tracking in the Quest 3’s mixed reality features. A new wrist-activated button will also make navigating Quest menus easier in both games and apps.
While the Quests I used during the demo weren’t running v66, and our Quest 3s haven’t received it yet, they performed well, except for a peculiar glitch in the main menu. I’ve compared the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro with the $500 Quest 3, and while Apple’s headset is stunning with precise eye and hand tracking, it’s hard to justify the enormous price difference for that accuracy.
Looking to the future, it’s clear VR workouts or watching Netflix in VR won’t appeal to everyone. Most demos weren’t groundbreaking; they simply underscored the ongoing improvements and Meta’s commitment to VR.
Something noteworthy about the latest Meta Quest developments is the call for partnerships. Microsoft and Meta appear to be collaborating, given the Xbox-branded Quest 3. We might discover more during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9.
Apple also has significant announcements ahead, with a visionOS update expected at WWDC 2024, crucial given the dwindling hype around the Vision Pro post-release. Analyst Ming Chi Quo recently reported decreased demand for Apple’s headset, and Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, previously claimed their VR technology was superior at a fraction of the cost. Yet, in many respects, Meta needs Apple’s presence as it attempts to emulate Google’s past strategy against Cupertino with a more open platform.
Apple’s stronghold lies in its ecosystem and devoted user base, but it needs a newer headset soon. Meta, conversely, must continue refining HorizonOS. Observe how PlayStation expanded to PC with VR2 only after Meta allowed Game Pass and SteamVR titles on its wireless headset. A more open OS and increased consumer choices benefit everyone in the long term. As Meta pours billions into its metaverse ventures, they would be wise to keep this in mind.
