The Quest headset will gain new features with the v66 update of its operating software. Two of them in particular will bring Meta’s XR device closer to Apple’s…
The walkthrough screen is one of the big new features of the Quest 3 : thanks to its front cameras, the earpiece Meta truly offers a mixed reality experience, showing the user’s environment in color, and superimposing virtual objects and elements on top of it. Apple, however, quickly caught up with everyone with the Vision Pro, equipped with better quality cameras and displays.
Virtual wrist buttons for Quest
That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement for the Quest 3. The headset’s v66 software reduces ” significantly » distorts and manages manual alignment much better. A video is worth a thousand words, so check out this telling comparison between v65 and v66:
The Search is still not quite at the level of the Vision Pro, but that’s not too bad for a product 7 times cheaper. Meta specifies that these improvements in passthrough are progressive, meaning they may not appear immediately after installing v66.
Another feature related to manual controls: the update will bring virtual “wrist buttons”. These buttons, which will appear on the wrist when you turn your hand, can open windows and menus depending on the needs of the applications.
Another very interesting change, and which again brings the Quest 3 closer to its rival from Apple: it will be possible to watch Netflix in the browser of the headphones! Until now that was indeed impossible. If the Quest 3 offers a Netflix app (unlike the Vision Pro), the video quality is limited to 480p.
Users frustrated by this definition have learned to sideload the Android app, but this isn’t really a solution for the general public. At least with Quest browser support, the quality will be there. In addition, Meta will offer a “flat” 2D or curved screen, which is more than what Apple offers with the visionOS version of Safari!
Finally, the Quest software will allow audio playback in the background. It doesn’t seem like much, but it will be very practical to listen to a podcast or music without constantly having the corresponding apps in front of you. Please note: Quest Pro and Quest 2 owners will have the right to “wrist buttons” and audio playback in the background.