META is ending support for a beloved virtual reality tool. Users are begging the company to reconsider.
In an email to owners of the original Meta Quest, the company informed them that the headset would no longer receive bug fixes or security updates as of August 31.
Users can still download new apps and continue to use existing apps, as long as they are supported by the developer.
Meta concluded the email with a stark warning to customers: continue to use the app at your own risk.
“However, if security vulnerabilities are discovered in the future“Private data stored directly on or accessible from the device is at risk of being compromised,” the email reads.
There was confusion and outrage on social media as customers continued to receive notifications.
As one Reddit user put it, “A great tragedy occurred today.”
“I understand bug fixes, but no security patches? Come on,” complained another Redditor.
“This is a real shame – I still enjoy using my Quest, I see how much nicer the new ones are, but I can’t afford a new one. I feel meta should at least do the bare minimum to patch security holes in older hardware.”
Meta was the first to indicate that support would end in January 2023 when the company announced it would stop releasing new functions and apps for the headset.
The Meta Quest debuted in 2019, originally known as the Oculus Quest.
The headset was the first of its kind to offer positioning and six degrees of freedom.
The term describes the number of ways an object can move in three-dimensional space. Early VR headsets were generally limited to three degrees of freedom.
The original Quest isn’t the first VR tool Meta has ditched, either. The company discontinued the headset’s predecessor, the Oculus Go, in 2020 but continued support through 2022.
And newer products continue to hit the market. This includes the Meta Quest 3, a mixed-reality headset due out in October 2023.
The reality-altering Quest 3 allows users to “play virtual piano on their coffee table” and “open a portal in their living room,” seamlessly blurring the lines between digital and physical.
The announcement may come in anticipation of the Meta Quest 3S, which is rumored to be a cheaper alternative to the Quest 3.
Meta has done its part to fuel the rumors. The name “Quest 3S” appeared on the digital software store, and CTO Andrew Bosworth showed it off in a video, apparently by accident.
The company already seemed to hint at upcoming developments in the email.
“We are excited about the future of Meta Quest and look forward to bringing you even more groundbreaking MR experiences,” it reads.
Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality – What’s the Difference?
Here’s what you need to know…
- Virtual reality uses a headset to simulate a virtual world
- In a VR world, everything you see is computer generated
- Popular VR headsets include the HTC Vive and Facebook’s Oculus Rift
- Augmented reality allows you to see the real world, but ‘augments’ (or adds) computer-generated elements
- This means that you can see computer images superimposed over your real world view
- For example, you can wear glasses that project directions onto the road ahead of you.
- Popular AR headsets include Microsoft’s HoloLens and Google Glass
- Meanwhile, VR headsets include the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro
- Some headsets offer mixed reality and can combine both experiences