Oculus Quest

Best Wireless Bluetooth Keyboards For Meta Quest 2

January 18, 2022 From uploadvr

Looking to use an external wireless keyboard with your Meta Quest 2 headset? Here are the options.

Quest 2 now supports using Bluetooth keyboards with the headset in VR, both across the system and in Meta’s remote work solution, Horizon Workrooms.

While you can connect most Bluetooth keyboards to the Quest, only a few are fully compatible and considered ‘tracked’ keyboards in VR.

When connected, a tracked keyboard is represented in VR with a 1:1 model that matches the position and orientation of the keyboard in real life. It also shows an overlaid view of your hands above the keyboard, as pictured above. This allows you to use the physical keyboard as normal while in VR.

However, there aren’t many keyboards that support fully tracked functionality on Quest 2. Meta has said it wants to expand support to more keyboard models, but it’s proving “harder than expected.”

Without tracking, you will still be able to use a Bluetooth keyboard but you won’t be able to see it while in VR, making it much harder to type reliably.

So without further ado — here are the best keyboard options for Quest 2.

Logitech K830

The Logitech K830 is the best keyboard to pair with a Meta Quest headset.

This keyboard was the first to receive support and remains the best option, as it includes a trackpad on the side. This allows you to have full mouse and keyboard control with just one device in VR. The trackpad isn’t the most responsive but its inclusion is still welcome.

It’s also worth noting: this is specifically relating to the US model of the K830. Some users previously indicated that other international K830 models, such as the UK model, are not supported, but we haven’t be able to verify this ourselves.

Apple Magic Keyboard

The Apple Magic Keyboard is the second supported tracked keyboard on Quest 2. This keyboard is Apple’s standard wireless keyboard, often shipped with iMacs and other desktop Mac computers and also sold separately.

If you have an iMac or other desktop Mac with a Magic Keyboard, you’ll be able to disconnect it from that device and connect it to your Quest 2. Similarly, if you own a standalone Magic Keyboard or if you buy one, it can easily connect to Quest 2.

Any Bluetooth Keyboard

As mentioned above, you can connect any Bluetooth keyboard to Quest 2 and it should work fine. However, you won’t be able to see the keyboard at all while in VR, which is quite inconvenient.

However, if you’re using Horizon Workrooms specifically, you can use any keyboard and turn on the passthrough cutout feature on your desk. While using Workrooms, this will let you see your keyboard on your desk while in the app using passthrough — slightly better than the alternative. It should be noted though – in this instance, the keyboard should be paired with the computer you’re using in Workrooms via remote desktop, not your Quest.

Horizon Workrooms Bonus – Apple MacBook Pro

When using the virtual desktop feature of Horizon Workrooms, there is support for one additional keyboard type: the Apple MacBook Pro laptop keyboard.

This will only work when using virtual desktop in Workrooms — there’s no way to use or connect the keyboard directly to the Quest for general use — but it does give you one more tracked keyboard option for that service specifically. You can use it with the passthrough cutout and AR button labels (pictured above) or fully in VR with a tracked virtual keyboard model.

What keyboard are you using for your Quest 2? Let us know in the comments.

Expand Your VR Workout Routine With FitXR’s new 2022 Updates

January 4, 2022 From vrfocus

We all know that the new year tends to be a time where everyone makes a resolution to do something different, usually to get fit and burn off those festive calories. To help with that, FitXR for Meta Quest is adding a whole new range of features and upgrades to aid your 2022 fitness.

First up are the new class formats to the Box workout studio – Vibe, Velocity and Knockout. Each has its own unique style, so Vibe is all about the feel of the music and the flow of the class, whereas Velocity is far more intensive with the music and routine ending in a sweaty high note. As you might have guessed, Knockout simulates a boxing match, keeping with FitXR’s roots when it was known as BoxVR.

“We want to continue to drive our members, encouraging them to advance in their fitness goals,” said Kelly Cosentino, Director of Fitness at FitXR in a statement. “For this reason we’re pumped to create these new Box class formats that will deliver a boutique fitness studio experience and get members further invested in classes from start to finish.”

Next up is the “Find Your Fit” Training Program. This is very much in keeping with those healthy resolutions that only last for one month, as the program is a four week, 12 class workout regimen which launched yesterday. Members can sign up to receive weekly emails with their suggested fitness classes and will also get motivational tips and advice from the FitXR team.

“I’m thrilled to give members structured guidance that will allow them to determine what works best for them individually. Fitness is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and ultimately we want our members to adapt these habits for the long term. The ‘Find Your Fit’ program will help steer members to the coaches, style of classes and music genres that speak to them and keep them coming back,” Cosentino adds.

Lastly, three new coaches have joined the FitXR squad, Elise, Billy and Adam. Each will bring their own expertise to the role as they seek to inspire and motivate FitXR users to achieve their fitness goals.

FitXR is a subscription-based fitness app exclusive to the Meta Quest platform. With a vast array of total body workouts synced to the catchiest tunes, there’s a 7-day free trial to test it out. After that, it’ll cost you $9.99 USD a month to continue the membership. For continued updates, keep reading VRFocus.

VR Series ‘Space Explorers’ Releases Its Biggest Episode Yet

December 29, 2021 From vrscout

Space Explorers: The ISS Experience took over two years to shoot and is the largest production ever filmed in space.

According to a recent article by CNBC, the Oculus app was the #1 most downloaded app on Christmas Day, which means there are a lot of new Quest users out there. If you are one of those lucky new Quest owners, or if you already own an Oculus headset, do yourself a favor and check out Space Explorers: The ISS Experience “UNITE”.

Brought to us by Felix & Paul Studios and Time Studios, the third and latest installment of the Emmy-award-winning VR series delivers over 100 mind-blowing minutes of incredible 3D 360-degree footage of the International Space Station, something that only a small number of people have ever experienced.

The moment you put on your Quest headset and launch the app you’ll find yourself orbiting about 200 miles above Earth, traveling at an insane speed of 17,500 miles per hour. Here you’ll take part in an ISS reunion between astronauts Nick Hague, Christina Koch, Andrew Morgan, Jessica Meir, Luca Parmitano, Hazzaa Almansoori, Alexey Nikolaevich Ovchinin, Oleg Ivanovich Skripochka, and Aleksandr Alexandrovich Skvortsov.

As the new batch of astronauts arrives on the station, they greet one another like old friends and talk about the impact of their life-changing mission as part of the ISS crew, sharing everything from their unique perspective and stories of being an astronaut to their thoughts on space culture, day-to-day life in outer space, and their dreams of the humanization and colonization of space.

Image Credit: Felix & Paul

The Space Explorers: The ISS Experience series took over two years to shoot and is the largest production ever filmed in space. In order to accurately capture life aboard the ISS, Felix & Paul designed their own 360-degree camera built specifically for use in a zero-g environment. The ISS crew themselves served as the directors, camera operators, and stars of the series, offering viewers an exclusive look at important space research, moments of camaraderie during dinner, personal video blogs, and candid moments between crew members.

In total, Felix & Paul Studios—the same team behind original VR experiences such as Traveling While Black, MIYUBI, the Nomads series, and Strangers with Patrick Watson, as well as collaborated with President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, LeBron James, President Bill Clinton, Eminem, Wes Anderson, Brie Larson, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, and many others—captured hundreds of hours of high-end VR footage both inside and outside the ISS. This includes cinematic footage of a white-knuckle space walk directly outside the station.

“UNITE” can be viewed now as a fully-immersive VR experience on the Meta Quest, Quest 2, and Rift for free via Oculus TV. For some cool behind-the-scenes footage, head on over to Time.com/Space.

Feature Image Credit: Felix & Paul

Third Episode of Space Explorers: The ISS Experience Available Now For Meta Quest

December 22, 2021 From vrfocus

If you love all things related to space then you’ve probably been closely following the rather epic project that is Felix & Paul Studios’ Space Explorers: The ISS Experience. Over the last few years, the studio has partnered with NASA and Time to record some amazing 360-degree footage aboard the International Space Station. Released episodically, today sees the launch of UNITE, the third instalment of the series.

As the title implies, UNITE focuses on the crew members aboard the ISS. More specifically, the episode sees crew members from the same astronaut training class reunite. “A space culture evolves between the select few who have had the chance to live and work aboard the International Space Station. Old friends arrive, and for the first time, half of an entire astronaut class reunites on the station. The cycle continues as, once again, one mission ends and another begins. The crew’s unique shared perspective grows stronger as colleagues realize dreams of the humanization of space together,” the synopsis details.

The astronauts featured in this particular episode are: Nick Hague, Christina Koch, Andrew Morgan, Jessica Meir, Luca Parmitano, Hazzaa Almansoori, Alexey Nikolaevich Ovchinin, Oleg Ivanovich Skripochka and Aleksandr Alexandrovich Skvortsov.

Space Explorers: The ISS Experience has been pushing technological boundaries as it captures life onboard the station orbiting 250 miles above the Earth’s surface. In August the teams announced that the first 3D, 360° scenes in space had been captured using the highly specialised Outer Space Camera, a customized Z-Cam V1 Pro housing nine 4K sensors to record scenes at 8K resolution. Expect to see those in the final episode.

Space Explorers: The ISS Experience “UNITE” is available now for free. You can watch all three episodes on Meta Quest and Oculus Rift either via the Space Explorers app or on Oculus TV. This isn’t the last instalment either. The fourth (and final) episode Expand is due for release in Spring 2022.

For continued updates on Felix & Paul Studios projects, keep reading VRFocus.

Workout With Comedian Tiffany Haddish in Supernatural’s “This Year, Be You” 2022 Campaign

December 21, 2021 From vrfocus

There are a number of apps for the Meta Quest platform that focus on fitness with Supernatural being one of the most prominent. Today, the Supernatural team have announced that actress, comedian and producer Tiffany Haddish will be starring as the app’s next guest coach from January.

From 1st January 2022, you’ll be able to enjoy workouts led by Haddish as part of Supernatural’s This Year, Be You campaign, encouraging Meta Quest owners to start feeling healthier by getting their sweat on in VR. She’ll coach four Supernatural sessions during January: Boxing, Flow – a cardio workout – guided meditation and a stretch session.

“I became addicted to Supernatural last year,” says Haddish, having lost over fifty pounds using the app. “I’ve never felt so powerful or had so much fun working out. I can travel the world from my living room, move to music I love, and feel like a superhero every day. My mission in life is to spread joy and empower people and, as a Supernatural Guest Coach, I get to spread that goodness in a way that also gets people sweating and smiling as they get a great workout.”

Supernatural arrived on Quest in 2020, becoming one of the first apps for the headset to offer a purely subscription-based service. Whilst there’s a 7-day free trial, after that Supernatural will cost you $18.99/month or $179.99/year to enjoy its workouts. Aside from the range of workouts on offer, Supernatural also boasts an expansive collection of major-label music featuring over 1000 songs. The only caveat, Supernatural is currently only available in the US and Canada. Other territories are supposedly coming but there’s been no mention of when.

“Tiffany is not just a force for joy, she is a force for good, breaking boundaries and expectations with everything she does,” adds Supernatural Co-Founder and CEO, Chris Milk. “With this series, we’re proud to have her share her unmatched energy with the Supernatural community through a series of workouts that invite you to take on the most welcoming, positive and joyful new years resolution possible.”

Supernatural has done so well since its initial launch that in October the company announced that it had been acquired by Meta.

For continued updates on Supernatural and all the other ways to stay fit in VR, keep reading VRFocus.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson Guides You In VR Meditation App ‘Maloka’

December 14, 2021 From vrscout

Everyones favorite astrophysicist is ‘the Voice of the Universe’ in this VR wellness experience for Quest.

In 2014, The US National Library of Medicine published a report that outlined how the benefits of having a daily meditation routine can actually reduce anxiety symptoms, improve stress reactivity, and boost your coping mechanisms.

Available now on Quest and Quest 2 headsets, Maloka is a calming VR experience that gamifies the meditation experience to help you create a personalized routine and put you on the path towards discovering inner peace.

Your journey to mindfulness starts on your own private island. Here you’ll explore otherworldly environments filled with various secrets to discover. For every task you complete, you are rewarded with a new calming interaction that you can use to fill your island with vibrant plants and sculptures. As you develop a healthy meditation routine, your island will continue to grow, transforming from a generic landmass into a personalized utopia.

What sets Maloka apart from competing meditation apps is its heavy use of real-world science to help simplify the meditative process. Wellness authors Sukey and Elizabeth Novogratz, the sister-in-law team who wrote the book Just Sit, created Maloka to help guide those new to meditation. Maloka doesn’t just immerse you in a peaceful 3D environment; it activates Beta and Theta brainwaves to help you achieve deep meditation and mindfulness.

Step into the Magic Grove portal to experience soothing melodies brought to life via gongs, singing bowls, chimes, and tuning forks, or load up a Mindful Movement experience for a yoga-inspired session.

You’ll have two friends with you during your journey. One is a spirit companion that starts off cute and clueless but grows with youas you continue to meditate and cultivate your island. The other is famed astrophysics and planetary scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who guides you through the experience as the Voice of the Universe.

Image Credit: HOO KOO E KOO Limited

As your island grows, you’ll encounter new flora to discover and secrets to uncover (hey that rhymed). Search your island to find hidden sounds that activate those brainwaves or travel through the Maloka Vortex to visit other islands and mysterious cosmic vistas. Each location is designed to immerse you in the experience and deepen your meditative state.

To help you stay on your meditation routine when you’re not near your Quest headset, Maloka comes with its own dedicated companion app on both Apple and Android devices. You can use this to check in with your spirit guide, visit your island, and engage in quick meditation sessions. Your progress across Maloka is synched between your headset and the app, offering a seamless meditative experience.

Maloka is available now via the Quest Store. If you’d like to know more about Maloka or explore partnership opportunities, check out the official website here.

Feature Image Credit: HOO KOO E KOO Limited

Stanford Now Offers A Class Held Entirely In Virtual Reality Using Quest 2

December 13, 2021 From uploadvr

A new course being offered by Stanford University garnered some attention in the last few weeks for being the institution’s first class taught and held entirely in VR using Meta Quest 2 headsets.

Taught by Professor Jeremy Bailenson, Communication 166 deals with the various angles of emerging VR technology and its use cases. Bailenson, who you discusses the course in the video above, is the author of the seminal VR text Experience on Demand, which also is one of the class’ assigned readings.

Here’s a course description:

Virtual Reality is becoming mainstream, with more than ten million systems being used in the United States alone. This class examines VR from the viewpoint of various disciplines, including popular culture, engineering, behavioral science, and communication. Each student will receive an Oculus Quest 2 headset, and the bulk of our learning will occur while immersed in VR.

According to the course structure, students will sometimes use lecture time to take part in VR experiences by themselves (such as watching a 360 degree video in VR) or as a group (such as attending a meditation session in Altspace as a group). Class discussions take place in VR too, using Engage.

According to this site, 263 students took the course in 2021 using their own VR headsets and spent a shared 200,000 minutes in VR for the course.

The course attracted some attention last week when it was mentioned by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his Facebook profile, where he revealed that the students are all using Quest 2 headsets.

Stanford University has a strong history with VR, with the Stanford VR Experience tour playing a strong role in Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to purchase Oculus in 2014.

Horizon Worlds Beta Goes Public In US & Canada With 18+ Age Requirement

December 9, 2021 From uploadvr

After years of waiting, the Horizon Worlds beta is opening to anyone in the US and Canada, with no invite required.

Meta announced the change today, which moves the beta from an invite-only system to a public beta with no invite requirement. Anyone who is in the US and Canada and over 18 can download Horizon Worlds and try it out from today.

UploadVR asked Meta for clarification on how the 18+ age requirement will be verified, to which a spokesperson responded: “When you log into Horizon Worlds with Facebook, you’ll be able to use the app in VR if your age on Facebook is over 18.”

Horizon Worlds is the social hub and creation tool created by Meta as part of the wider Horizon brand, which also includes Horizon Venues and Horizon Workrooms. It was announced all the way back in 2019, then known as Facebook Horizon, and displayed similar social, world-building functionality as VR apps like VRChat and Rec Room.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has emphasized Horizon Worlds’ priority within the company’s VR/AR efforts, hoping it might start the ‘social fabric’ of VR. Likewise, Meta Consulting CTO John Carmack has stated that he wants the next iteration of the company’s annual Connect conference to be held inside Horizon apps.

We first tried Horizon Worlds at Oculus Connect 6 in September 2019. A Closed Alpha began in March 2020, followed by a transition to an invite-only closed beta in August. It was then that we were able to go hands-on with Horizon Worlds for a second time, which left us feeling that the app had good foundation but didn’t necessarily feel like the full picture of Meta’s social VR puzzle.

In October, Meta rebranded Facebook Horizon to Horizon Worlds and announced a $10 million fund to encourage Horizon creators, despite still being in closed beta at the time.

Now, more than two years after it was announced, the beta will be open to those in the US and Canada. There is no word on other regions at the moment, but expect to hear more as the open beta progresses towards (hopefully) a full launch in the future.

Horizon Worlds beta is open to anyone aged 18+ in the United States and Canada from today on the Quest and Rift platforms. Support for the original Quest 1 will end January 13, 2022.

Meditation App Maloka Releases Dec 14 For Quest, Neil deGrasse Tyson Joins

December 8, 2021 From uploadvr

The mediation app Maloka is set for a full Oculus Store release for Meta Quest headsets on December 14, with the renowned scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson joining the experience as the voice of the Universe.

Maloka initially launched in Beta back in May as an App Lab experience for Quest, but it’s graduating to a full release on the Quest store on December 14. The app offers guided VR meditations that take place in a pulsing, slowly moving psychedelic vortex. Unlike most meditation sessions, you keep your eyes open in Maloka, aligning your breathing with the patterns that engulf your field of view.

You also get your own zen island space in the app, which you can decorate with items that you earn as rewards for completing meditation sessions.

When I tried Maloka back in May, I found the entire experience to be surprisingly effective and satisfying — it’s a new twist on the traditional guided meditation structure that works unexpectedly well in VR.

There’s also a free companion Maloka app for mobile devices, which you can use to complete regular guided meditations via audio — handy for when you’re on the go or don’t have time for a full VR session.

The Quest release also comes with a new addition to the cast — renowned scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson is lending his talents to Maloka, playing the voice of the Universe. You can catch a sneak peek of his performance in the teaser trailer above.

Maloka launches for Meta Quest headsets from December 14 on the Oculus Store. You can read more about our experience with the early App Lab version of Maloka here.

Horizon Workrooms 1.2 Adds Customization, New Themes, Lectern

December 7, 2021 From uploadvr

Horizon Workrooms 1.2 is available now, bringing more customization to rooms and a lectern for easier presenting.

Originally announced back at Connect 2021, the new update lets users upload custom posters and logo graphics to display in the room, as well as pick a room theme.

When Workrooms launched, there was only one room available (the ‘Lakes’ room). Now there are two room locations available, each with two different themes: Lakes – Cabin, Lakes – Vibrant, City – Bright and City – Sleek.

The latter Vibrant and Bright themes feel a bit more casual, while the Sleek and Cabin themes take on a slightly more professional tone, especially the former.

The City room is a nice change of pace from the standard offering, but the view does look a little close to the ‘The World If’ meme skyline for my liking. Nonetheless, you can make it feel a little more homely by uploading custom graphics and decorating the walls.

To upload custom graphic files to Workrooms, you’ll need to ensure that both your Workrooms Quest app and the Oculus Remote Desktop app are updated to version 1.2. Oculus Remote Desktop doesn’t update automatically, so you’ll need to head over to workrooms.com and download the latest version.

Once everything is updated, head to the Room tab in Workrooms in VR, then scroll down until you find the option that lets you customize the room’s graphics. Clicking on the plus icon for each graphic will open a link in the browser of your connected computer, where you can upload the poster and logo graphics.

Once uploaded, apply them to your room and feel a little bit more at home. We managed to get our UploadVR logo into the City – Sleek theme, as pictured above, and it definitely makes the space feel a little more personal.

The last new feature is a lectern, to be used when presenting so that you still have access to your desk area while speaking to the audience.

Will you be customizing your Workrooms environment? Let us know in the comments.