Meta Tests Free Window Placement in Quest VR Headsets Like Apple Vision Pro

Meta✴ is testing a new free-window placement feature similar to Apple’s Vision Pro for the virtual space of Quest VR headsets. The Meta✴ Horizon OS operating system (formerly Meta✴ Quest OS) already supports multitasking and allows multiple virtual windows to be used simultaneously, but the latter can currently only be placed next to each other.

Image source: 9to5Google

Dataminer Luna has discovered an experimental free-placement feature for virtual windows in the latest public beta of Meta✴ Horizon OS. The feature makes Quest VR headsets more like Apple’s Vision Pro in mixed reality mode, but judging by the video posted, it works a little differently on Quest. Up to three windows (such as the browser, library, and settings) can be placed and moved freely in Quest’s virtual space. Three additional windows can also be opened, but they will be pinned to the desktop.

According to another demo (in the video below), the updated VR headset OS will remember the position of windows only at a certain distance from each other, and return them to the default position (side by side) when switching orientation or resetting the view settings. The update will also allow you to change the appearance of windows from flat to curved, as well as change the brightness of the surrounding virtual space when launching 2D applications.

The same mixed reality headset, for comparison, allows you to place windows anywhere in the virtual space and pin them. The settings are not reset even after removing the headset.