Mixed reality gets more immersive with a new facial interface for Quest 3
Meta is now selling a new facial interface for Quest 3 that leaves the sides open for a more immersive mixed reality experience.
Meta calls the accessory the "Meta Quest 3 Open Facial Interface" and it costs $40.
"Experience what Meta’s best mixed reality has to offer with this facial interface which blends your real and virtual worlds while keeping you cool and comfortable. And with a removable facial pad, cleanup is a breeze," the description reads.
The facial interface is only compatible with Quest 3 and not with the newly announced Quest 3S. An overview of Quest 3S compatible Quest 3 accessories can be found here.
Open periphery designs have advantages and disadvantages
The open periphery allows better air circulation and mixed reality apps to blend in better with the real world, which has led some Quest 3 users to create their own solutions and hacks.
Potential drawbacks of this design include reflections on the lenses and discomfort when the passthrough has latency. In the following X video, you can see VR developer Azad Balabanian trying out the headset's facial interface.
Quest 3 open air facial interface (is this new?)
Really great for MR games/virtual desktop work! pic.twitter.com/u8NReueeT1
- Azad Balabanian ᯅ (@Azadux) September 26, 2024
Previously, only the Quest Pro offered an open periphery. Meta's new and open facial interface has an interesting new design: Whereas the Quest Pro rested on the forehead instead of the face, the new headset insert still touches the face, but leaves the spaces between them free.
The Quest Pro will only be available until the end of 2024, but the Quest 3 offers now an alternative with open periphery.
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