Term of the Moment
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Redirected from: Oculus VR
Definition: Meta Quest
A family of head-mounted virtual reality systems from Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). Meta Quest devices are stand-alone 3D goggles and controllers where people explore, socialize and play games in real or fantasy worlds (see social VR). See avatar and virtual reality.
Tethered (Oculus Rift and Rift S)
Launched in 2016, the Oculus Rift was used for games, military training and both physical and psychological therapies. The subsequent Rift S had greater resolution and eliminated three of the four USB cables. HDMI changed to DisplayPort.
Untethered (Oculus Go)
In 2017, the company partnered with Qualcomm to develop the stand-alone Android-based Go. In addition to VR, Android TV and many Android apps could also be displayed in the goggles via the smartphone. See untethered and Android TV.
Untethered/Wireless (Quest)
In 2019, the Quest was the second-generation untethered display. Like the Rift, the Quest's positional tracking enables six degrees of freedom (see 6DOF). See virtual reality.
Meta Quest Pro
The Quest Pro is the top of the line and nearly four times the price of the Quest. In development as Project Cambria, the Quest Pro features higher resolution and greater realism. It also provides a color passthrough for mixed reality instead of black and white. The Pro's eye and face tracking enable the system to determine a user's reaction to events and adjust the experience accordingly. See mixed reality.
The Untethered Quest
A Very Large Oculus
From Oculus Quest to Meta Quest
Tethered (Oculus Rift and Rift S)
Launched in 2016, the Oculus Rift was used for games, military training and both physical and psychological therapies. The subsequent Rift S had greater resolution and eliminated three of the four USB cables. HDMI changed to DisplayPort.
Untethered (Oculus Go)
In 2017, the company partnered with Qualcomm to develop the stand-alone Android-based Go. In addition to VR, Android TV and many Android apps could also be displayed in the goggles via the smartphone. See untethered and Android TV.
Untethered/Wireless (Quest)
In 2019, the Quest was the second-generation untethered display. Like the Rift, the Quest's positional tracking enables six degrees of freedom (see 6DOF). See virtual reality.
Meta Quest Pro
The Quest Pro is the top of the line and nearly four times the price of the Quest. In development as Project Cambria, the Quest Pro features higher resolution and greater realism. It also provides a color passthrough for mixed reality instead of black and white. The Pro's eye and face tracking enable the system to determine a user's reaction to events and adjust the experience accordingly. See mixed reality.
Using both controllers, the author of this encyclopedia is immersed in a 3D game on the Meta Quest 2 system. Launched in 2021, the Quest 2 is lighter, more responsive and has a higher resolution than the first Quest. An enhanced Meta Quest 3 is expected in the fall of 2023.
Oculus means "eye" or "circular opening." The Oculus in New York is a transportation hub and multi-level shopping mall on the grounds of the World Trade Center.
After Facebook changed its name to Meta, the Oculus line was rebranded Meta; witness this Costco display in mid-2022.