Meta, the technology giant at the forefront of virtual reality (VR) innovation, has announced the release of the highly anticipated v55 update for its popular Quest 2 and Quest Pro VR headsets. With this update, Meta aims to significantly enhance the performance of its existing devices, providing users with a more immersive and responsive VR experience.
The v55 update brings substantial improvements to the GPU and CPU capabilities of both the Quest 2 and Quest Pro headsets. Quest 2 owners can rejoice as the update delivers a remarkable 19 percent increase in GPU speed, while Quest Pro users can expect an impressive 11 percent boost. Moreover, both headsets will see up to 26 percent improvements in CPU power, according to Meta’s official announcement.
These performance upgrades promise smoother gameplay, allowing users to delve deeper into the virtual worlds they explore and enjoy more seamless interactions with their surroundings. In addition, Meta has introduced Dynamic Resolution Scaling, a feature that enables applications to harness higher pixel density while maintaining consistent frame rates. This advancement is poised to enhance the visual quality and overall realism of VR experiences on the updated devices.
Furthermore, the v55 update empowers developers to optimize their games and applications to leverage the performance gains offered by Meta’s latest software upgrade. This will result in even more immersive and engaging content for users, as developers can fully harness the enhanced capabilities of the Quest 2 and Quest Pro headsets. To showcase the impact of these improvements, Meta has released a sample video demonstrating the increased resolution and visual fidelity in The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners when played on the updated headsets.
Not only does the v55 update focus on performance upgrades, but Meta has also introduced exciting new features to enhance the overall VR experience. The Explore tab now encompasses Meta’s media content, including short-form videos and personalized content from Facebook and Instagram, as well as Reels. Meta Horizon Worlds, the virtual social platform, has also expanded with new areas to explore and an array of fresh Avatar digital outfits, allowing users to personalize their virtual presence. The availability of the Explore feature will gradually roll out to users.
In a significant step toward enhancing communication within the VR environment, Meta has introduced a standalone Messenger app for VR. This feature enables users to seamlessly connect with friends and communicate without the need to remove their headsets or rely on smartphones. It revolutionizes social connectivity in VR, enabling users to stay connected while fully immersed in the virtual world.
Another notable addition is multi-touch gesture support for the Meta Quest Browser. Users can now zoom in and out and interact with elements using both Touch controllers and hand gestures, mimicking the experience of a multitouch device. This functionality provides a glimpse of the advanced hand controls anticipated in Meta’s upcoming headset, further pushing the boundaries of user interaction and immersion.
