Oculus Quest 2

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Oculus Quest 2
Oculus Quest 2 - 2.jpg
Oculus Quest 2 headset and controllers
DeveloperFacebook Technologies, LLC
TypeVirtual reality headset
Release dateOctober 13, 2020
Lifespan2020-present
Introductory priceUS$299 (128 GB)
US$399 (256 GB)
Operating systemOculus Quest system software, based on Android source code. (Android 10)[1]
System on a chipQualcomm Snapdragon XR2
Memory6 GB
Storage64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
DisplayLCD 1832 x 1920 per eye @ 120 Hz[2]
GraphicsAdreno 650
Input6DOF inside-out tracking through 4 built-in cameras
Camera4 cameras
Connectivity
  • USB-C
  • Bluetooth
  • Wi-Fi
Online servicesOculus Store
Mass503 g (17.7 oz)
Related articlesOculus Rift S, Oculus Quest
WebsiteOfficial website

The Oculus Quest 2 (also known as Meta Quest 2) is a virtual reality (VR) headset created by Facebook Technologies, a division of Meta. It is the successor to the company's previous headset, the Oculus Quest.[3][4] The Quest 2 was officially unveiled on September 16, 2020 during Facebook Connect 7.

The 64 GB release model was priced at US$299, a $100 decrease over the original Oculus Quest. In 2021, the 64 GB model of the Quest 2 was replaced by a 128 GB model at US$299, with the same price as the original 64 GB model.[5]

As with its predecessor, the Quest 2 is capable of running as both a standalone headset with an internal, Android-based operating system, and with Oculus-compatible VR software running on a desktop computer when connected over USB or Wi-Fi. It is a refresh of the original Oculus Quest with a similar design, but with a lighter weight, updated internal specifications, a display with a higher refresh rate and per-eye resolution, and updated Oculus Touch controllers.

The Quest 2 received mostly positive reviews as an incremental update to the Quest, but some of its changes faced criticism, including its strap, reduced interpupillary distance (IPD) options, and a new requirement for users to log in with a Facebook account to use the headset and Oculus services.

Specifications[]

Hardware[]

Its design is similar to the original Oculus Quest, but replacing the black, cloth-covered exterior with white-colored plastic and a black face pad. It is lighter than the first-generation Quest, at 503 grams (17.7 ounces) in comparison to 571 grams (20.1 ounces).[6] The strap was changed to a fabric-based version, rather than the elastic-based strap of the Quest.[7]

The Quest 2 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 SOC (which is part of a Snapdragon product line designed primarily for VR and augmented reality devices),[8] with 6 GB of RAM — an increase of 2 GB over the first-generation model.[6]

Its display is a singular fast-switch LCD panel with a 1832×1920 per eye resolution, which can run at a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz (an increase from 1440×1600 per-eye at 72 Hz). The headset includes physical interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment at 58 mm, 63 mm and 68 mm, adjusted by physically moving the lenses into each position.[9]

The included Oculus Touch controllers are slightly bigger, influenced by the original Oculus Rift's controllers.[10] Their battery life has also been increased four-fold over the controllers included with the first-generation Quest.[11][7]

Software[]

As with the original Quest, it runs an Android-based operating system. Its software has been updated with additional features since its launch. While announcing the Quest 2, Facebook also announced the upcoming release of the fitness tracker app Oculus Move.[12] Support for 90 Hz refresh rate was initially an experimental option within the home area, with support within games added via a software update in November 2020.[6][10][13] System software version 28 in April 2021 introduced optional experimental support for 120 Hz in games, as well as experimental Air Link wireless streaming.[2][14]

In July 2021, experimental APIs were added to the Passthrough feature to allow for augmented reality features.[15]

Games[]

Main article: List of Oculus Quest games

Oculus Quest 2 supports all games and software made for the first-generation model, and existing titles can be updated to support higher graphical quality on Quest 2. It also supports Oculus Link, which allows the headset to be used with Oculus Rift-compatible software on a PC.[7] Oculus Quest 2 is not backwards compatible with Oculus Go apps and games.[16]

In April 2021, a software update added Oculus Air Link as an experimental feature, which allows games to be streamed from a PC over Wi-Fi.[14]

Accessories[]

Facebook presented an "Elite Strap" accessory, which contains a ring-like pad for the back of the head and a tightness dial, along with a variant with a battery pack built into the strap.[7] Facebook is also promoting Logitech headphones "certified" for Quest 2 (including the G333 VR, the company's first in-ear headphones model), which have shortened cords designed for use with VR headsets.[17]

In addition, Facebook partnered with Logitech to support their K830 keyboard as part of the "Infinite Office" feature, allowing the keyboard to be detected and displayed within a virtual reality environment.[18]

Reception[]

The Verge was positive in a pre-release review, noting that while it lacked standout features, it did have "worthwhile" improvements such as reduced weight, a screen with a better visual appearance and refresh rate than the original Quest, and a re-located USB port. The new strap was panned for having "less support and a slightly clumsier tightening mechanism" (partly rectified by the Elite Strap accessory sold separately), and the new IPD mechanism was considered "annoying" and not as inclusive as that of the first-generation model. In conclusion, it was argued that while it was not a "must-upgrade" for existing owners, the Quest 2 had "the best overall balance of hardware, features, and price."[19]

Ars Technica was less positive, noting that its internal speakers were "noticeably crisper and louder", but panning the new cloth strap in comparison to the original Quest's elastic straps (and arguing that it alone was responsible for the claimed reduction in weight), the limited IPD options, worse battery life, and the controllers having less grip and reduced accuracy on more intensive games. The switch from OLED to LCD was shown to produce "crisper" images but more "washed out" color.[7]

Facebook integration[]

The Quest 2 has faced criticism over the mandate that users must log in with a Facebook account in order to use the Quest 2 and any future Oculus products. However, on October 27 2021, Meta (formerly Facebook) announced that the login would no longer be required.[19][7] It was reported that some users were unable to use the headset due to their Facebook account being suspended. Some described that linking their deactivated Facebook account to the device rendered the headset a "paperweight".[20][21][22] In September 2020, Facebook suspended the sale of all Oculus products in Germany after it faced criticism from the German Federal Cartel Office over the requirement.[23][24] At the Facebook Connect event in 2021, Meta Platforms, Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the company was "working on making it so you can log in into Quest with an account other than your personal Facebook account".[25]

Face pad issues[]

In December 2020, Facebook stated that it was investigating reports of users experiencing rashes and other skin irritation from the Quest 2's foam face pad. In April 2021, Facebook stated that it had identified and reduced the use of "a few trace substances that are normally present in the manufacturing process which could contribute to skin discomfort", but that they "did not find any contamination or unexpected substances in our manufacturing process." On July 27, 2021, Facebook announced that it had issued a recall of the face pads in Canada and the United States, would issue free silicone covers to existing users, and would temporarily suspend global sales of the Quest 2 in order to allow these covers to be included with all future shipments of the headset.[26][27]

References[]

  1. ^ "Introducing Oculus Quest 2, the Next Generation of All-in-One VR | Oculus". developer.oculus.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  2. ^ a b "INTRODUCING OCULUS AIR LINK, A WIRELESS WAY TO PLAY PC VR GAMES ON OCULUS QUEST 2, PLUS INFINITE OFFICE UPDATES, SUPPORT FOR 120 HZ ON QUEST 2, AND MORE". Oculus Blog. Oculus. 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  3. ^ Robinson, Adi. "Facebooks Oculus begins rolling multi user support beginning with the Oculus Quest 2". The verge. Adi Robinson. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  4. ^ Neil, David (19 February 2021). "11 Games That Make the Oculus Quest 2 Worth Buying". Gizmodo. David Neil. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  5. ^ Ridley, Jacob (2021-08-24). "Oculus is doubling the Quest 2's storage on new base models for free". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  6. ^ a b c Kuchera, Ben (2020-09-16). "Oculus Quest 2 review: smaller, cheaper, better". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Machkovech, Sam (2020-09-16). "Review: We do not recommend the $299 Oculus Quest 2 as your next VR system". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  8. ^ Smith, Ryan (2019-05-29). "Qualcomm Announces XR1 Platform: Dedicated SoC for VR/XR Headsets, Coming Late 2018". AnandTech. Future plc. Archived from the original on 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2019-05-19.
  9. ^ Lang, Ben (2020-09-16). "Oculus Quest 2 Review – The Best Standalone Headset Gets Better in (Almost) Every Way". Road to VR. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  10. ^ a b David, Heaney (2020-09-16). "Oculus Quest 2 Specs: 'Nearly 4K' LCD, 90Hz, XR2 Chip, $299". UploadVR. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  11. ^ Lang, Ben (2020-09-16). "Quest 2 Announced Starting at $300, Pre-orders Today for October 13th Release Date". Road to VR. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  12. ^ "Facebook wants to turn the Quest into a fitness device". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  13. ^ Wickens, Katie (2020-11-16). "Oculus Quest 2 gets a cheeky 90Hz refresh rate update, finally rivaling competitors". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  14. ^ a b Robertson, Adi (2021-04-23). "Oculus has turned on wireless PC streaming for the Quest 2". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  15. ^ Stein, Scott. "Facebook's Oculus Quest 2 is experimenting with blending VR and the real world". CNET. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  16. ^ Carmack, John. "Support was remove on Quest 2. I totally lost the internal debate over backwards compatibility". Twitter. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  17. ^ Faulkner, Cameron (2020-09-16). "Logitech's new gaming headsets are certified for Oculus Quest 2". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  18. ^ "Facebook's Infinite Office is a virtual office space for the WFH crowd". Engadget. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  19. ^ a b Robertson, Adi (2020-09-16). "Oculus Quest 2 review: better, cheaper VR". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  20. ^ Robertson, Adi (2020-10-15). "Facebook is accidentally locking some users out of their new Oculus headsets". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  21. ^ Heaney, David (2020-10-14). "Facebook Account Issues Push Some Quest 2 Buyers To Return". UploadVR. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  22. ^ Kent, Emma (2020-10-15). "Oculus Quest 2 Facebook account merge turns some headsets into "paperweights", affected users say". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  23. ^ Hayden, Scott (2020-09-02). "Facebook Halts Sale of Rift & Quest in Germany Amid Regulatory Concerns". Road to VR. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  24. ^ Lang, Ben (2020-08-18). "New Oculus Users Required to Use Facebook Account Starting in October, Existing Users by 2023". Road to VR. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  25. ^ Jimenez, Jorge (2021-10-28). "Oculus Quest VR headsets to eliminate mandatory Facebook account log-in requirement". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  26. ^ "Facebook Recalls 4 Million Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset Inserts After Complaints About Skin Irritation". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  27. ^ Mlot, Stephanie (2021-07-28). "Facebook Pauses Oculus Quest 2 Sales Due to Skin Irritation". PCMag Australia. Retrieved 2021-07-28.

External links[]

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