The Ques 2 is definitely not just a VR gaming machine. It’s also a productivity machine, a dynamic theater, a personal office, and a virtual space to meet and interact with new people
Jan 24, 2022 at 12:35 p.m
Last modified: January 24, 2022, 12:57 p.m
Photo: Collected
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Photo: Collected
If there’s one thing Mark Zuckerberg can do, it’s redefine the way we connect.
He first did it with the largest and arguably most popular social media platform of all time, Facebook. Now, the same people who launched this controversial privacy-intrusive social network are rethinking how we would connect in the future.
Their bet is on their aptly named virtual reality universe, the Metaverse. And the best tool for stepping into that virtual space is their own entry-level all-in-one virtual reality (VR) gear, Oculus Quest 2.
All signs point to VR being the future of remote socializing, and there’s no denying it. However, Facebook, now Meta, is one of the very few companies that recognized the potential early on.
While their Metaverse is a relatively recent announcement, Meta’s Oculus team has been working on VR for a long time. Since the initial success of Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift, their footing on the VR foundation has been fairly solidified.
That’s why it’s the best gear, even after a year since its launch, to ride the VR wave and experience the virtual metaverse before it becomes mainstream.
Photo: Collected
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Photo: Collected
The second-gen Oculus Quest is miles ahead of its predecessor thanks to the VR-specific SoC, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2, and inside-out tracking technology with six degrees of freedom – Oculus Insight. All Oculus variants come with 6GB RAM alongside 128GB and 256GB storage options.
The resolution has also been increased to 1832 x 1920 for each eye with a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz. All of this makes Quest 2 more than just a VR gaming console. It’s also a revolutionary entry-level multimedia and productivity device that does almost everything better than its competitors.
From the moment you put it on you realize how immersive VR experience can become. The dome-like environment doesn’t just consist of high-resolution images. They are both interactive and dynamic, with plenty of options to choose from.
As for media consumption, whether you’re enjoying Netflix in a theatrical setting or just browsing YouTube videos or streaming local video files, the experience is enhanced by the Quest 2’s built-in stereo speakers with 3D audio. It can be connected to a Bluetooth device and also has a 3.5mm jack.
Additionally, if you’ve missed the co-screening experience, you can virtually join any public stream in the Oculus OS lobby. You can also interact with other users’ avatars in the same theatrical environment.
However, if you prefer a more private experience, you can go to one of the cinema halls or living room environments and enjoy the film on a big screen in peace and without distractions.
The Oculus Quest 2 isn’t just a 360-degree multimedia device; rather it is a very productive machine.
If you like working in solitude but can’t avoid the nine to five hours of work, you can use Quest 2 as an escape portal to enter your own Fortress of Solitude. You can continue to do your usual computing work while in a more preferred environment.
It can also work the other way around.
If you prefer an office environment and are stuck at home due to the pandemic, you can put on the Quest 2 and connect with your colleagues virtually. And thanks to much more efficient PC integration, you can even bring your computer into this virtual office.
Whether you’re programming, writing your memoirs, or giving a presentation, you can complete all tasks while you’re in the graphical environment of your office, or perhaps on a distant space station.
If you’re an artistic person, you can use Gravity Sketch on Oculus Quest 2 to draw just about anything in the three-dimensional space of the Metaverse. Like Gravity Sketch, many of the productivity apps are completely free and easy to use.
However, the VR experience reaches its full potential when you play on it. With six degrees of freedom head and hand tracking and better tactile controls, titles like Beat Saber and Walking Dead are more immersive than ever. Even if you have to buy the games separately for the best experience, they’re still worth it.
Photo: Collected
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Photo: Collected
Be that as it may, the second generation quest is by no means perfect. While it’s portable in size and functionality, the poor battery backup and slow charging speeds spoil the experience.
The device lasted around three hours for simple media consumption, and it can last a couple of hours when gaming at maximum duration. However, you can buy an extra backup battery that fits in the headband to give you extra juice. But such accessories are quite expensive, as are the premium games and apps. Just a first-party protective case to safely carry the headset without getting scratches on the lenses can cost you a few thousand dollars.
The games and premium apps, while expensive, are definitely worth the experience. If you have just played on your PC, Quest 2 will be the best gaming experience you will have.
While with PC and game console you only have the monitor to enjoy the interactive games, Quest 2’s 360 degree surround environment and 3D audio will let you enjoy the gaming experience even more.
That being said, Oculus Quest 2 is definitely not just a VR gaming machine. It’s also a productivity machine, a dynamic theater, a personal office, and a virtual space to meet and interact with new people.
Despite the shortcomings and potential social development implications, Quest 2 is still the best VR gear to get into the Metaverse.
You can buy Oculus Quest 2 VR sets from retailers like AppleGadgets, Brothers Electronics, and Gadget & Gear. The 128GB base version costs around Tk 41,000 while the 256GB max version costs around Tk 48,000.
However, the costs of accessories, games, and premium apps add up when you decide to upgrade.
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