A latest leak suggests some spectacular options are coming to Asus’ upcoming VR headset, like eye monitoring, face monitoring, and probably even an OLED show, but maybe essentially the most intriguing information is that it might be among the many first third social gathering Meta Horizon OS launches.
As reported on X by @Lunayian (through PCGamesN), Asus’ new mission, codenamed Tarius “will seemingly be one of many first 3P Horizon OS HMDs to ship” which is to say that the headset might ship with Meta’s Horizon OS in-built.
It is usually at present deliberate to have each eye and face monitoring, which isn’t solely good for controlling the UI, however helps the likes of the PS VR2 run dynamic foveated rendering. Foveated rendering primarily dynamically renders the stuff you have a look at to a better diploma to mean you can get extra energy out of your rig.
For a headset like this, the implementation of one thing like foveated rendering will seemingly be software-based however, even when it would not have it, this might permit for higher monitoring, controls, and face studying in social apps like VR chat. Alongside this, the headset is rumoured to both have QD-LCD shows with native dimming or µOLED, a type of OLED show.
Luna has observe report as a leaker within the VR house, beforehand exhibiting renders of Challenge Ventura earlier than launch, later generally known as the Meta Quest 3S. After this, they efficiently reported on the Meta Quest 3S ‘Motion’ button, precisely speculating on its use as a passthrough toggle.
The collaboration between Asus and Meta was formally introduced early final yr, with Lenovo and Microsoft additionally confirmed to be working with Meta. Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram assertion laments the ‘closed mannequin’ of Apple’s iPhone ecosystem and likens Meta opening its OS for companions to the PC’s ‘open mannequin’.
That is thrilling information for Asus’ mission because it means extra than simply taking the look of the OS and Meta’s menu format. It’s the implementation of spatial computing, with the way it handles information and digital areas. It additionally grants customers entry to Meta’s storefront, which is among the key areas the place Bytedance’s Pico 4 Extremely loses out.
The tech rumoured to be within the headset to this point, mixed with Asus ROG’s strategy to computer systems implies that this will likely be a comparatively high-end VR headset, and that would make it a formidable competitor out there. Using the OS suggests it’s able to working standalone, however the OS compatibility ought to grant it smoother entry to PCVR and it additionally means any video games you already personal on Meta’s platform must be playable at launch.
Meta’s headsets are, undeniably, one of the best VR headsets proper now, however a dominant power out there and lack of competitors can result in an absence of innovation so new rivals working with Meta’s OS might assist stage the taking part in subject. Final yr, a report steered Meta can be taking a step again from {hardware} manufacturing, and opening its OS might assist with that transition.
This fashion, Meta wins even when it loses.
