Meta’s Build 64 update for the Quest 3, Quest Pro, and Quest 2 headsets, scheduled to roll out starting the week of April 8, 2024, introduces several new features and enhancements aimed at improving user experience. One notable addition is the ability for Quest 3 users to use apps while lying down. This feature, accessible through the Experimental section in Settings, allows users to engage in media playback and stationary immersive gaming in a reclined position. Activation is simple: toggle the ‘Use Apps While Lying Down’ option and reset the view by pressing and holding the designated buttons when lying down. One additional notable feature is improved 8k passthrough resolution for the Quest 3, bringing the passthrough clarity much closer to premium headsets such as the Apple Vision Pro.
Furthermore, the update brings external microphone support exclusively to the Quest 3 headset. Users can connect a microphone directly to the USB-C port or via an adapter. To switch to the external microphone, navigate to the Experimental settings and select the appropriate option. The casting feature has also been improved; removing the headset during a cast to the Meta Quest app no longer interrupts the stream, ensuring a continuous viewing experience. Social interaction is enhanced with the ability to join friends directly in Meta Horizon Worlds if they are online and have shared their location.
Virtual Reality Fidelity Updates
Meta Updated the Passthrough on its Meta Quest 3 Headset
Trend Themes
1. Enhanced Media Engagement - Incorporating lying-down app usage for virtual reality users to enhance media consumption and gameplay experiences.
2. Improved Passthrough Resolution - Advancing passthrough clarity to rival premium headsets like the Apple Vision Pro, offering users a more immersive and realistic virtual environment.
3. External Microphone Integration - Enabling external microphone support for the Meta Quest 3 headset, providing users with more versatile communication options.
Industry Implications
1. Virtual Reality - Opportunities for VR companies to innovate by facilitating lying-down app usage and enhancing media engagement.
2. Consumer Electronics - Potential for consumer electronics firms to disrupt the market with improved passthrough resolution, enhancing the visual experience of their products.
3. Audio Technology - Innovative possibilities in the audio tech industry by integrating external microphones for VR headsets, expanding functionalities for users.