Update v47 was recently released, which is the last update of the year for Quest 2.
Next to a few minor software updates, they also added compatibility with the Quest Pro
Touch controllers!
So let's talk about the updates and whether it's worth getting them for your Quest 2,
and at the end, I'll share a quick tutorial on how to pair them.
Cas here, and this is your channel for VR and XR.
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The first thing added in the update is Background Audio Playback.
This means you'll be able to listen to something in the background while playing VR games,
like music or videos.
It works with any website via the Browser, or you can use one of the supported 2D apps.
I personally love having music on while playing games, so I think it's a great feature.
Previously, trying to capture Passthrough apps showed a black background.
Sucks!
So I'm happy that in this update, you can now record the passthrough without jumping
through hoops.
To add to that, there are now shortcuts for capture.
To quickly take a screenshot, hold the Oculus menu button and then press the right controller
trigger.
To quickly record a video, hold the Oculus menu button and then long-press the right
controller trigger.
And this is just in time for the holidays!
You can now make a Wishlist on the Meta Quest Store, create a link, and then share it with
your friends and family to MANIPULATE them into buying what you really want this Christmas.
And we all know what that is: VR games.
The last couple of changes is for the UI.
On the mobile app, the friend system becomes more prominent, so it's simpler to see and
engage with your VR friends.
A shiny new widget also shows you the headset's and controller's battery life from your mobile
phone, so you don't need to put on your headset that anymore.
In VR, you'll now see your avatar hands instead of the ghost hands.
Plus, there's now a mirror in your Home environment, so you can say 'Mirror mirror on the wall,
who is the fairest of them all".
I'm just kidding; it allows you to see how great you look or click it to customize your
avatar.
You can also pin apps to your universal menu if you want quicker access to some of your
favorite games and apps.
Now, the reason you probably clicked on this video.
The Meta Quest Pro Touch controllers, which are now compatible with Quest 2.
These are the self-tracked controllers that come with the recently released Meta Quest
Pro headset.
But you can also buy a pair separate from the headset for 300 US dollars, and it'll
come with a compact charging dock, stylus tips, a short charging cable, and a power
adapter.
However, that's a steep price as that's almost the same expense as one Quest 2 headset.
So you might be wondering whether they're worth it.
I'll try to answer this question now by talking about the pros and cons.
Let's start with what I like first.
In my Quest Pro review, I concluded that the headset isn't that much of an upgrade, but
the controllers are because they come with significant features.
Each Quest Pro controller has three built-in sensors and a chip, making it possible for
them to track themselves independently of the headset.
And the tracking is actually amazing.
It can now track behind the headset, behind your body, and possibly when you do a forward
roll (Don't try this at home).
It seems to track anywhere where the older controllers had trouble, and you can definitely
feel the difference when playing fast-paced games like Beat Saber or games where you do
a lot of behind-the-headset-movement like bow and arrow games.
I am also very impressed by the new haptics, it has multiple motors on the controller now,
and that gives you localized feedback, so in certain games where the devs added support,
you'll be able to feel things more precisely.
An example I made in my previous video, and I'll make it again because it was strangely
immersive, was shaking the spray can, and then you can actually feel the paint moving
around in the can.
If you have the controllers, try it out in Painting VR.
The last thing I like is attaching the stylus tips, so the controllers become more like
pens, and you can use them to draw more precisely on flat surfaces, like your desk or a wall.
Altho, I don't draw a lot in VR so I can see the benefit for like architects or something
but I don't use it often.
Now, the Pro Touch controllers are definitely not all perfect.
The controllers take a long time to calibrate when you pick them up initially to play a
game.
I've also had them decalibrate before during a game, and when a zombie is trying to eat
me, it's not fun waiting a long time before they sync up again.
It seems like the long desyncs only happen when you put them down, and they are on standby
before you pick 'em up again.
Just so you know, it rarely happens while playing a game.
During yesterday's live stream, someone suggested me to put them in my jeans pockets and then
wait a bit to see how long it'll take to sync again, and that, good news, didn't take long.
Currently, there's also an annoying bug where if I put down my headset and it goes on standby
(which is fast), the controllers are not recognized anymore until I restart the whole headset.
This isn't the case on the Quest Pro, so I think it's a software bug Meta needs to fix.
Hopefully it's not a hardware bug.
They also do not track well in dark rooms since the sensors on them need to be able
to see.
So keep that in mind.
And I know a lot of you don't like THIS.
They now have rechargeable batteries that you cannot remove, so if you run out of battery,
you must be patient until they charge again.
They should be able to do 8 hours at a time, though, so only if you're a really hardcore
VR player, this battery life might not be great.
But you do get my respect.
Previously, I also said I found drifting in some games, but I haven't noticed this much
in my recent use of it, and I've been gaming with these controllers ever since I got them.
Now the Pro Touch also adds new features like a precision pinch motion (which is this movement)
that uses the pressure sensor on the curved thumb rest here, and the triggers can track
the curl and slide of your index finger.
But since these controllers are so new, we need to wait until developers add these features
to their games, so there's not much we can test yet.
But do let me know if you find games that use it; I'd love to try it.
So with this in mind, are they worth it?
If you're on a budget, I don't think it's necessary at all.
Especially if you've been fine playing with the Quest 2 controllers, as it's not that
big of an improvement to justify the price.
Plus, I expect a new Quest headset to come out, so then you might be able to buy a brand-new
headset with possibly these controllers.
This is only speculation, though, so take it with a grain of salt.
I think only if you lose tracking a lot because maybe you play competitively or you're only
into archery games, and you spend a lot of time on those games, then I am sure you'll
love these controllers as they are good quality.
Let me know what you think and if you'll get these controllers for your Quest 2.
Leave me a like while you're at it, as that supports us a lot.
To thank you, here's a picture of Milkyway.
Now before we move to my final thoughts, as promised, here's a quick tutorial on how to
pair your Quest Pro controllers with the Quest 2.
For this, I assume you already have your Quest 2 headset set up and the Meta Quest app installed
on your mobile device.
Launch the Meta Quest app.
Tap on the menu at the bottom right.
Tap devices Then select your Quest 2 headset from the
drop-down menu.
Scroll down a bit and tap controllers.
Now you probably already have your Quest 2 controllers paired.
Unfortunately, it's not possible to have multiple pairs right now.
So to be able to pair the new ones, you need to unpair them.
So click on the controller and tap the Unpair button.
Do the same thing for the other controller.
Now, you should be able to see this screen.
Tap "Pair Meta Quest Pro Left controller" to start pairing.
It may ask you to unpair the other controller but we did that already so just click continue
here.
Then pair it by hold pressing the two buttons shown on the screen.
On the left controller, that's the Menu and Y button.
Do this for about 4 seconds, and you'll see the lights on the controller turn Blue, then
Yellow-ish.
That means it's paired!
And then you should see this screen.
Do the same thing with the Right Controller.
Except you'll need to hold press the Menu and B buttons.
Once that's done, you can put on your headset, and if you see the controllers straight away,
you're ready to go.
If not, you might need to restart the headset first.
Then the controllers might need an update, and when that's done, you should be able to
see them in your hands, and you're ready to go!
Of course, updates are always rolled out gradually.
So if you don't see the features yet, wait a bit, and it should come eventually.
I hope you enjoyed this video.
It's been a while since I've done any update videos, as I felt like many of these updates
weren't as big as before, or sometimes they come at the worse possible timing, and I just
don't have the time.
But I do love software updates as even the smallest updates can really improve our quality
of VR life, so I really want to keep covering it, and I hope you find these valuable.
Let me know in the comments below what you think about these updates!
See you all in the next!
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Tot in VR.