Tech giants, Microsoft and Meta collaborate to bring Microsoft’s applications and features such as Office, Windows and Xbox cloud gaming into the Metaverse through the Quest VR headsets.
On October 11, Microsoft and Meta announced their partnership that will allow people to work and game in the virtual reality space. Microsoft will bring its biggest services to Meta’s Quest virtual reality headsets.
Some of the services from Microsoft include Teams, Office, Windows and Xbox gaming cloud platforms. The move comes as a surprise after the two tech companies were on a collision course last year.
The collaboration
Microsoft intends to bring Teams and its other productivity experiences to a capable VR headset. Therefore, the company grabbed the opportunity by partnering with Meta.
Meanwhile, Meta acquired a key ally in its grand plans for the Metaverse.
Microsoft will bring a Microsoft Teams immersive meeting experience to Meta Quest. The company aims to give people new ways to connect with each other.
According to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, the move enables people to work together. Users will connect, share and collaborate as though they were together in person. People in the metaverse will now join Teams meeting directly from workrooms.
“We are bringing a Microsoft Teams immersive meeting experience to Meta Quest in order to give people new ways to connect with each other. You can connect, share, collaborate as though you were together in person.”Nadella opined.
Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, thinks that the cross-screen experience will set the foundation for a virtual office.
Meta’s role in the partnership
Both the new Quest Pro and Quest 2 headsets and Teams will involve the adoption of Meta’s avatar system. Teams will get support within Meta’s Horizon workrooms. People will now join a Team meeting straight from Horizon workrooms.
The virtual office of the future will encompass more than just a meeting. Microsoft plans to bring Windows 365 to Quest. Quest represents Meta’s platform for streaming full versions of windows on devices.
The move will create a new way for users to securely stream the entire windows experience including all the personalized apps, content and VR device settings. The experience will also boast of the full power of windows and windows applications.
Xbox cloud gaming will also feature in Meta’s Quest VR headsets. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will now have the capacity to stream games. However, it will not be as immersive as the native Xbox games VR experience.
Users will now pick up an Xbox controller and play on a giant screen. The giant screen will feature on the Quest headset.
Microsoft embracing virtual reality
Microsoft intends to also introduce 2D versions of its Office apps to Quest. The process will occur through Progressive Web Apps (PWA) technology. Apparently, the 3D versions will not exemplify the full-blown 3D versions of Office on VR. Microsoft seems to be hedging on its future in the VR space.
Previously, Microsoft experimented with Windows mixed reality VR headsets. However, the tech firm never manufactured its own device. In addition, the software work turned out to be lackluster.
As compared to experienced players such as Quest formerly Oculus or Valve, Microsoft hit below the belt.
Meanwhile, the company invested heavily in its AR technology, the Hololens. Microsoft believes that the Hololens signifies the future of collaboration.
