What you need to know
- Apps can now be automatically refreshed before they’re shut down, and avatars now include more customization options and iconic branded apparel.
- Quest Browser now supports Twitch broadcasts and includes a slew of new parental control features to restrict explicit content.
- Gaming sessions can now be recorded in 1080p with full stabilization and stereo sound, plus the Quest Pro has Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
Every new month means a new Quest platform update, and the May update brings some substantial improvements to the Quest headset. First and foremost for many is a new feature that will refresh apps before the headset shuts down for the day, helping to eliminate one of the biggest annoying issues Quest has faced since the platform’s inception. Nobody likes to turn on their headphones to see a bunch of new updates and this should help solve some of these situations.
People who like to record their gaming sessions will be happy to know that they will no longer need to watch 1:1 aspect ratio videos in mono audio (or install SideQuest (Opens in a new tab) Just to fix this problem). Head into your headset’s settings menu and check out the new Camera section, which includes options to record in 16:9 1080p video including stereo sound.
You can now also record with full image stabilization which should be even more attractive to anyone watching your video on a flat screen. This will help reduce small head movements that distract 2D viewers, although stabilization always slightly reduces the field of view in the video. Just make sure you have the awesome Quest 2 battery pack (Opens in a new tab) If you want to register all the time.
Parents of children playing Quest will be relieved to know that they can now restrict viewing of several different types of content on the Quest Browser including alcohol, tobacco, dating, characters, drugs, gambling, hate, terrorism, sexual content, and weapons. Check the Meta Quest app on your smartphone to enable parental control features.
The browser has also seen some compatibility improvements including the ability to log into Twitch and watch streams. This is great if you’re just looking for some tips to watch while you play.
Finally, your Meta avatar can start looking a lot more interesting thanks to a host of new customization options (Opens in a new tab) Including body shapes, hair enhancement, clothing textures, and the inclusion of more famous brands such as PUMA. Once you have v53, head over to the mirror in your home environment and start customizing away!