Meta Innovates with Vision Pro-like Features for Quest Headsets
Meta is pioneering new virtual reality experiences with its latest update for Quest headsets, introducing a feature that allows users to place virtual windows freely within their environment, mirroring capabilities seen in Apple’s Vision Pro.
This enhancement is part of the ongoing evolution of Meta Horizon OS, previously known as Meta Quest OS, which has supported multitasking with multiple windows for several years.
Virtual Workspace Enhancement
Traditionally, Meta’s interface permitted the arrangement of up to three virtual windows in a side-by-side format. However, the new feature, unearthed by data miner Luna and demonstrated in a video from version 67 of the Meta Quest Public Test Channel, significantly expands user flexibility.
It enables the placement of three windows from 2D apps—like the browser or system settings—freely within the user’s physical space, with an additional three windows remaining docked.
Functionality and Limitations
While this development brings Meta’s Quest 3 closer to the spatial computing capabilities showcased by Apple’s Vision Pro, there are distinctions in execution. The windows in Meta’s system can remember their placement only within a certain range, reverting to default settings when users change orientation or reset their view.
This version also introduces the option to toggle between curved and flat window displays and includes a dimmer to reduce brightness when using 2D apps, though it does not yet support passthrough mode.
Comparative Advantage
Apple’s Vision Pro allows for more persistent window placement, enabling users to interact with virtual windows as if they were physical objects within their space—next to a refrigerator or beside a TV, for instance, with windows remaining fixed irrespective of the user’s movement or if the headset is removed.
Marketing and Pricing Strategy
Meta has been intensifying its promotional efforts to highlight the Quest 3’s utility in productivity applications, in addition to its established reputation in gaming. This strategic pivot suggests Meta’s intent to broaden the appeal of its headsets beyond entertainment.
Although the Quest 3 does not match the Vision Pro’s flair in executing these new features, its significantly lower price point—$3,000 less than Apple’s offering—positions it as a formidable contender in the market, offering substantial value.
Meta’s latest update for the Quest headsets marks a significant step forward in making advanced virtual reality features more accessible and affordable. By integrating more flexible and user-friendly options into its interface, Meta is not only enhancing the user experience but also expanding the practical applications of its devices in everyday life.
