At Meta Connect 2024, the spotlight was primarily on the Meta Quest 3 and the new Quest 3S, but a significant development emerged with the announcement of the official “open facial interface” for the Quest 3.
This new accessory is designed to enhance the user experience by providing an open-periphery design, similar to that of the soon-to-be-discontinued Meta Quest Pro. By offering this option, Meta aims to make the Quest 3 the preferred choice for users seeking comfort combined with an immersive, open-sided experience.
Priced at $40, the open facial interface is available for pre-order on Meta’s website, with an estimated shipping date in mid-October. It is specifically designed for the Quest 3 and is incompatible with the Quest 3S. While the Quest 3S does come with a “breathable facial interface,” the open design of the Quest 3’s new accessory could enhance the perception of a wider field of view.
Users now have three facial interface options for the Quest 3: the default interface included in the box, a silicone version for active use, and the newly introduced open facial interface, which is the lightest of the three, weighing only 60 grams.
Nick Sutrich from Android Central tested the open facial interface and noted several advantages, such as the complete elimination of lens fogging and a sense of an open periphery. However, he pointed out that it does not fully replicate the experience of the Quest Pro, which has no contact on the face.
Instead, the open facial interface includes facial padding for added comfort. For Quest 3S users, the breathable facial interface also helps prevent fogging but provides a more enclosed experience compared to its open counterpart.
As Meta moves towards discontinuing the 128GB Quest 3 and the Quest Pro, the combination of the 512GB Quest 3 and the open facial interface is positioned to become the main option for those interested in open-periphery experiences during spatial computing. This shift signifies Meta’s strategic focus on enhancing mixed-reality experiences, positioning its offerings competitively against products like Apple’s Vision Pro.
With the introduction of the open facial interface, Meta aims to blend the benefits of an open design with the comfort provided by facial padding. This approach is particularly appealing for users engaging in mixed reality or spatial computing.
Although third-party alternatives exist for using the Quest 3 without any facial interface, Meta’s new offering seeks to balance comfort with functionality, allowing for improved visibility of the surroundings and eliminating lens fogging. While the discontinuation of the Quest Pro will leave a gap in the VR lineup, the Quest 3 paired with the new interface offers a promising path forward for Meta’s virtual reality ecosystem.
