The latest Oculus software update for the Quest 2 headset has arrived and it brings several additions to the virtual reality headset. Chief among these additions is official support for the Apple Magic Keyboard. Oculus originally added support for some keyboards back in update v28. Now, though, update v37 will bring support for the Apple Magic Keyboard to the VR environment.
Once upon a time, VR headsets that housed smartphones were all the rage, thanks to the initial push by Google and its adoption by Samsung and VR tech giant Oculus. Those days are long gone, of course, with dedicated VR headsets becoming the new fad in that market. The Gear VR, however, still exists and is still supported on some handsets. That, however, will end once the Galaxy S10 series receives its One UI 4 update, which apparently won't be long now.
Only a week after its latest Connect event, Oculus is now rolling out software version 34 to Quest VR headsets, giving users access to a variety of new features and improvements. Of note, Quest update 34 will make the VR headset more useful for Android users who don't like to be away from their phone, as well as more convenient voice commands and improved Guardian functionality.
Earlier today, Facebook revealed that it's changing its name. Facebook, the corporation, will now be known as Meta. While Meta will continue to offer separate brands like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the company will no longer share its name with its most popular app offering. As it turns out, this restructuring isn't just changing things at the corporate level, as Meta will also be retiring the Oculus brand.
We were expecting some news about VR gaming today at Facebook Connect 2021, and that's precisely what we got. Facebook made several announcements regarding games that are heading to Oculus VR, and while we may not expect a ton from a segment that often still feels like it's just getting going, there were certainly surprises. If you're a GTA or Beat Saber fan, then you'll want to pay attention to today's announcements.
Today Oculus and Facebook (now Meta) teased a new VR headset called Project Cambria. This device was described as an advanced and high-end VR product that'll bring the wearer "a step closer to the metaverse." A single video was released about the device, giving precious little information about the way it'll work, or what it'll actually be capable of doing.
Facebook is rebranding, taking on the new name Meta as it tries to lead the metaverse push - and add some distance with ongoing controversy about the social network. "Right now, our brand is so tightly linked to one product that it can't possibly represent everything that we're doing today, let alone in the future," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during the Facebook Connect 2021 conference.
An Oculus Go unlocked OS build was released today, courtesy of John Carmack. After a prolonged period of time and a whole lot of work in securing the rights to release the software, Carmack and crew made this build a reality. It's a surprise, honestly, now that Oculus is owned by Facebook. It IS a welcome surprise, in any case.
Fandango's Vudu streaming service is now available to Oculus owners, assuming you have a Quest headset. The platform allows customers to rent and buy digital movies, then watch them on a variety of devices -- and the Oculus Quest and Quest 2 are now counted among them. This is particularly good news for headset owners who enjoy 3D movies.
Although Oculus has now almost become the biggest name in consumer VR products, it isn't the only one occupying to top tiers of that still niche market. There was a time when HTC's Vive went toe to toe with Oculus, but it seems to have faded into the background in the past year or so. Just like with its smartphones, HTC isn't calling it quits and might finally be ready to take the combined might of Oculus and Facebook this week with a new standalone VR headset as well as a new "metaverse" platform.
It's been a while since we last received an update on Resident Evil 4 VR, but today we got a big one. Not only did we get a new trailer for the game, but we also got a release date. As it turns out, release day is coming up pretty fast, so those who own an Oculus Quest 2 don't have much longer to get their hands on it.
Netflix released their first video game today, a VR title by the name of Eden Unearthed. This game is an "experience" that's not quite entirely through the full Oculus review process yet, so it's out with the group's "App Lab." There may still be "unknown issues relating to comfort, performance, or other factors," in play. The game is based on the TV series (also released by Netflix) by the name of Eden (2021).