The world of virtual reality is about to get a major upgrade with the release of Quest's Horizon OS v81! But is it all smooth sailing? Let's dive in and explore the exciting changes and potential controversies.
A New Immersive Home Experience:
Quest v81 introduces the Horizon Engine Immersive Home, a significant upgrade to the VR home system. Say goodbye to the old environments and step into a high-quality loft with free locomotion. This change addresses the criticism of lower visual quality compared to competitors, ensuring new users are impressed from the get-go. But here's where it gets controversial—the new home environment is a one-size-fits-all approach, which might not cater to everyone's preferences.
Persistent Window Anchoring:
Pin your 2D windows in place, and they'll stay there! This feature allows users to anchor windows in both passthrough and Immersive Home modes, providing a seamless and organized VR experience. But wait, there's a catch—you can only see three anchored windows at a time, and the limit of six windows might not satisfy power users.
QuickPlay for Faster Gaming:
Meta is introducing QuickPlay, a feature that lets you launch Horizon Store apps before they're fully downloaded. This could reduce the time from purchase to play by up to 50%, according to Meta. But will it work as seamlessly as promised? Only time will tell if this feature lives up to the hype, especially since it's not yet available for all users.
UI Changes and Controversies:
The Horizon OS UI, known as Navigator, is in a state of flux. Meta initially rolled out Navigator with v77, but now it's reverting to the Universal Menu for most users in v81, citing simplicity and familiarity. However, some users are reporting inconsistencies with accessing Navigator, which might leave enthusiasts disappointed. And this is the part most people miss—the new UI might be a work in progress, as Meta teases an evolved version at Connect 2025.
Safety Concerns and Improvements:
Meta has implemented a 'Worlds Safety System' in v81, addressing safety concerns by prompting users to set up appropriate boundaries. But is this enough? The recent overhaul of the Quest boundary system has been criticized as a dangerous safety regression, and users are eager to see more robust safety measures.
Enhanced Features and Potential Delays:
Meta has made various improvements, such as a redesigned Horizon Feed, better Meta AI integration, and a new user switcher UI for multiple accounts. However, some features, like the Windows 11 Remote Desktop and increased window limits, might be rolling out separately and may not be available to all users immediately.
As Meta continues to refine the Quest experience, users can expect a mix of exciting enhancements and potential growing pains. What do you think of these changes? Are you excited for the new Immersive Home, or do you prefer the old environments? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned for more VR updates!
