When will we make the leap to make Meta Quest the tool everyone wants?
I've been a Meta Quest owner since the Oculus days. I bought my first headset, the Oculus Go, then upgraded to the Meta Quest 2 and now the Meta Quest 3. There's certainly been a lot of progress since the beginning, but there's still something missing to make these headsets an accessory for more than just tech and gaming enthusiasts.
This is why I wonder when Meta will decide to make the real leap, creating experiences that will make Meta Quest a tool everyone would truly want to own. In recent years, I've seen a lot of effort put into Horizon Worlds, but at the same time, it seems to me they're focusing on features that aren't very appealing. I say this with knowledge, as someone still mourning the loss of Altspace, which, in its simplicity, had features that already captivated many users, even those who weren't terribly tech-savvy.
Apple has partially achieved this, with a headset that's overpriced and offers far fewer features, but it has, for example, included a feature that's attracting a large audience: a collection of 3D films, viewable via Apple+. Since Apple launched its headset, I've honestly wondered why Meta, with its resources, is unable to implement something as simple as the ability to rent or subscribe to a collection of 3D films, perhaps in Imax format. Why not make a deal with Imax to offer them through a dedicated app, or negotiate agreements with existing platforms to include a section accessible only via Meta viewers, allowing 3D film viewing legally? Honestly, I know for a fact that many users every day ask how to watch 3D movies with Meta Quest and are disappointed that there are no legal ways, other than owning the DVD yourself and using a cumbersome system to be able to watch it in the viewer.
Another thing I've been wondering since the conference where Meta presented last year's innovations live on Horizon is why they can't implement events on the platform. I remember that during the presentation there was excellent 3D that made it seem like you were there, so why can't Meta negotiate deals to broadcast, even for a fee, concerts, events, premieres, or TV programs in 3D or VR on their platform? I believe so many people would pay to attend events like Comic-Con, or, for example, to connect to the red carpet at film events like the Oscars, or to attend concerts if they could see them in VR or even simply on a 3D screen placed in a dedicated virtual environment created in Horizon. Instead, the events offered are pre-recorded, often unappealing, and rerun far too often.
In my opinion, these are two features Meta should absolutely implement to attract a larger audience and increase investment in headsets. In a changing world that often makes travel and transportation difficult, the ability to watch major events through a headset could be a truly attractive option for many people. Imagine being able to watch the World Cup or the Olympics by purchasing our tickets on a headset. How wonderful would that be?
I really hope Meta decides to make this leap and stop focusing on less useful things, making headsets an object that everyone will want to have at home in the future.