Back in October, Meta announced that it would eventually transition its home environment to ‘Horizon Home’, giving it a fuller set of social features like being able to invite party members to visit, hang out, or launch into VR apps together. It seems we’re getting a step closer to the release of those features, as Quest 2’s recent v37 firmware is hiding a few things.

Developer Luboš V released a video showing off some of the hidden features that lurk within v37 of the Quest firmware.

Apparently itinerant firmware sleuth ‘Basti564’ also had a part in uncovering the hidden features, who is known for leaking images and models of Project Cambria, the company’s in-development mixed reality headset, and for having uncovered videos of the Quest 2’s Space Sense room guardian in action before its official launch.

Check out the video below:

The v37 update is now available on the Public Test Channel for Quest 2, however the features seen above aren’t accessible. In the video we get a glimpse at:

  • Tutorial on how to use Horizon Home
  • Room capture: letting you virtually integrate your playspace by mapping walls and ceiling
  • Apple keyboard support
  • Voice assistant history menu
  • What appears to be a work-in-progress social network integration, which is likely either be a portal to its Horizon social VR apps or more Facebook integration
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The revelation of these hidden features comes on the heels of an interview with Digiday where Meta’s VP of Horizon, Vivek Sharma, hinted that the company hopes to eventually bring all of its social VR apps social VR apps—Horizon Worlds, Horizon Venues, and Horizon Workroom—together in a more seamless way.

There’s no telling how soon we’ll see any of that stuff though. Closer integration with its Horizon social apps, representing a substantial overhaul, certainly sounds like one of those flashy monolithic updates Meta typically reserves for events.

Meta previously said it was hosting a Gaming Showcase in early 2022, although it’s not certain when that’s taking place. Last year’s was in April, although GDC 2022 in March may be a better bet. In any case, we’ll have our eyes peeled on the Oculus blog in the meantime.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.

  • So yeah, what about PC? Just gonna leave the old stuff in there until it breaks one day from neglect?

    • bigdaddy5

      Exactly

    • ViRGiN

      What about PC? Majority have mutually agreed to play the same 5 games for years to come.

      • I guess that is true, I know that large numbers of people only play VRChat. They are hard core into VR and get all the trackers and nice VR rigs. But only play VRChat. Sure, they will venture out and give big ticket things like Alex a shot. But otherwise, back to VRChat!

  • ViRGiN

    Lubos is a great experimental developer, he worked hard on bringing 3D scanning on your average phone. Hopefully he looks more into the future of VR.

  • Keng Yuan Chang

    Would be useful if I can point at menus of another user or even drop in another user’s game as a spectator

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  • xyzs

    I’ve never been waiting for that.

  • The room mapping feature looks great!

  • I’m still waiting for them to replicate what we can already do in the PC only version of home. I would use my headset a lot more if I could. The wait is annoying as its clearly possible. I’m also in Australia, where Horizon Worlds has not even been released in beta form yet.