The first update in 2022 is out!
Update 37.
And it includes TRULY quality of life changes and some good stuff too.
This is gonna be a short update video.
Let’s dive into it after you leave me a like and a comment for the Quest 2 key giveaway
(more about that in the outro) 😊 Join me beyond reality.
The first feature may sound boring but it’s such a Quality of Life change if you ever
browse in VR.
And if you don’t, you should try it.
This feature is link sharing.
You can now share a website link with your headset very simply by using your phone’s
Share option in a browser.
For example, if you want to check out a WebXR game, you don't know the link, so you Google
it.
Find the link, then you just click Share on your phone and then you choose the Oculus
Mobile app.
Now you’ll get the option to Open it now in VR or to Save it.
If you save it, you can find it in-VR at the Explore Page and the icon here.
Of course, your headset has to be turned on and connected via Bluetooth if you want the
link to be sent.
Currently, this feature is only for Android phones, but iOS is going to come later.
And if you never tried WebXR games, it’s AWESOME as you don’t have to install the
game – all you need is a link and you’re ready to go.
Check out my video on it for a couple of free WebXR games.
As you may know keyboard support was already available but only for this Logitech keyboard,
which is a pretty hard keyboard to buy sometimes.
So it’s good to see Meta adding more support.
In this update, Apple’s Magic Keyboard has been added.
But you may be wondering, what’s the difference between using a supported keyboard then just
connecting any keyboard via Bluetooth because that also works.
Well, a supported one is tracked in-VR, so if you do this or this, it should still be
tracked in VR.
Ok, maybe not those extra movements :’) which is much more convenient if you want to work
in VR or even when filling out passwords.
So if you have an Apple Magic Keyboard lying around, you can go in-VR > Experimental Settings
to pair the keyboard.
Part of this update is for developers, where it’s gonna be possible for them to add support
for these keyboards into their own apps.
For Hand Tracking, there’s also something new.
If you now pinch your thumb and index finger, you’ll get the Oculus menu right.
But Meta added a Quick Action Menu, which will include options like taking screenshots
and activating voice commands.
True QoL change and I like it because it looks so futuristic.
Another one is for organization.
You can now change display modes for the 2D panels.
The ‘tablet mode’ is what we’re used to, a single, close-up window that allows
you to focus on one task.
However, the new ‘desktop mode’ is larger, further away and even repositionable, which
is nice because then you can more easily multitask.
You can switch between these modes by grabbing the Display Bar, which is that little gray
line under a window.
From there, you can drag it up into Desktop mode or back down into Tablet mode.
And even nicer, all the 2D panels like the Store, Library and Browser will all open in
the new way, which is a lot more consistent and as someone who really appreciates user
experience design, I think this is super nice.
Last but not least is the Explore page, which is the blue icon at the bottom here that looks
like a compass.
And it should open immediately when you start your Quest 2.
IT HAS CHANGED!
You’ll now see more personalized recommendations, even what your friends are up to, so you can
stalk them a little bit, and you can even find your saved links here more easily.
Now, there were some hidden features that Quest 2 update genius Bastian found, like
moving around in the home environment via the right Thumbstick.
Casting Oculus TV to watch VR videos together, start a party to play games with others.
Defining a wall with walls and ceiling even.
But they weren’t included in update v37, but most likely, this should be coming later.
Soooo…
v37 seems like it’s mostly streamlining and making the user interface more consistent,
and while these changes may seem small, but these kinds of changes can make a huge difference.
Also, I’m so excited to see what kinds of updates we’re getting this year.
I hope they’re gonna be as big as previous year.
I have some hope seeing what they are saying over here…
Again, I always mention this, if you don’t see this update yet.
Meta rolls these out gradually, so you should be getting these features over time.
I know, I’m usually impatient too so I’m with ya ☹
What do you think the first update so far?
What else would you like to see this year?
Let me know.
I’m going to start giving away Quest 2 keys again to one commenter down below.
I’ll start with PetsVR, a super cute Pets simulator.
So make sure to comment something below to enter this giveaway.
Good luck and thanks for watching!!
A special thanks go to all our Champions, especially these Patrons down below.
As always, VR on!