Meta has finally addressed some of the most common frustrations with the Quest 3, meaning VR enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief today. These annoyances are now patched in a new software v66 update that is beginning to roll out. Let’s delve into the key improvements found in the update and learn about how these changes will enhance your VR experience overall.
Passthrough mode
Firstly, the update tackles the weird merging of the real world with your hands in passthrough mode. The v66 update significantly reduces distortion, ensuring a natural look for your hands and objects in mixed reality. This eliminates the annoyance of distorted visuals when you switch between the virtual and real world. To demonstrate how to fix the problem and how the update has changed the merging, Meta has released this video for fans:
Gestures and Multitasking
Secondly, say goodbye to the awkward “look at your palm and pinch” gesture for accessing menus. As disclosed in Meta’s official update notes, a new button on your wrist lets you summon the menu with a simple tap. This update is also coming to Quest 2 and Quest Pro users, providing a more intuitive and convenient way to navigate VR.
Multitasking in VR receives a major boost too. You can now launch background apps like the browser, music, or videos and minimize them without the playback stopping. This allows you to enjoy music or listen to podcasts while playing games or using other VR applications. These are just the tip of the iceberg. The update brings additional features like hiding apps for a cleaner library view, automatic object identification in your room for enhanced mixed reality experiences, and the ability to sync photos and videos from your headset to a web gallery.
Battery changes
There are also promising signs on the battery front. John Carmack, former Oculus CTO, suggests improvements in idle power drain. Additionally, a new sleep mode lets the Quest update in the background while plugged in, ensuring you’re always using the latest version without waiting for lengthy updates. Overall, this update is a significant step forward for the Quest, making VR more user-friendly and enjoyable.
