There will be new and intriguing software for Meta Quest 3. – UBJ

During Build 2024, Microsoft revealed its collaboration with Meta, which aims to extend Windows applications into the sphere of 3D space using Quest VR goggles. This partnership represents a significant step towards integrating virtual reality technology into everyday computing experiences.

A focus on spatial awareness is of the utmost importance, especially when interacting with physical objects in a virtual environment. By using VR technology, users can better understand components and their relationships in three-dimensional space.

Microsoft and Meta’s collaboration in the VR space is nothing new, with previous efforts culminating in the availability of Microsoft Office applications in the Quest Store. Users can access Word, Excel and PowerPoint on Meta Quest 3 devices, leveraging virtual screens for productivity-enhancing tasks. However, the current implementation is based on flat panels, which do not fully exploit the potential of virtual reality.

Microsoft’s latest announcement introduces more compelling features designed to elevate the Windows experience on Quest devices to a first-rate level. The Windows Volumetric application concept marks a shift toward immersive computing, where applications extend into three-dimensional space, allowing users to interact with virtual objects using natural hand gestures.

To enable this interaction, Microsoft will provide developers with a volumetric API, allowing them to create new applications or enhance existing ones with 3D spatial capabilities. While these improvements hold promise for future VR experiences, developers will need to integrate these features into their apps before users can take full advantage of them.

In the meantime, users can still connect Quest 3 headsets to Windows computers and access virtual windows and applications through platforms such as Immersed and Virtual Desktop. This temporary solution provides a glimpse into VR’s processing capabilities while developers work to implement a more immersive experience.

While the mention of Meta Quest during Build 2024 was brief, it highlights the continued collaboration between Microsoft and Meta in pushing the boundaries of virtual reality technology. Building on previous initiatives such as Meta Connect 2022 and the launch of Quest Pro, the partnership aims to deliver innovative solutions tailored to work-centric VR environments.

While some plans discussed in previous years have come to fruition, such as the introduction of Quest Pro, the development of Microsoft Volumemetric applications may take some time to come to fruition. Nevertheless, the continued collaboration between Microsoft and Meta holds promise for the future of VR integration in desktop environments, offering users new ways to interact with digital content and increase productivity.

Microsoft and Meta’s long-standing VR collaboration has paved the way for several innovations. One such advancement is the availability of Microsoft Office apps in the Quest Store, allowing users to access familiar productivity tools like Word, Excel and PowerPoint in the VR ecosystem. However, the current implementation, which relies on flat panels for display, only scratches the surface of VR’s potential.

Microsoft’s latest announcement promises to take the Windows experience on Quest devices to new heights. With the Windows Volumemetric application concept, applications can go beyond traditional screens, immersing users in a three-dimensional computing environment. This paradigm shift opens up the possibility of intuitive interaction with virtual objects using natural hand gestures, adding a new dimension to productivity and creativity.

To enable this level of interaction, Microsoft will provide developers with a volumetric API that allows them to integrate 3D spatial features into their applications. The move signals a shift towards immersive computing experiences in which users can seamlessly transition between the physical and virtual worlds, blurring the lines between reality and digital content.

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