Meta Quest users can now leverage Windows-powered productivity workflows
This week, after a long period of private preview screenings, Microsoft Mixed Reality Link is officially in an open release. Thanks to the newly launched service, Meta Quest 3/3s headset owners can connect their MR devices to a Windows 11 PC to engage with spatial productivity workflows.
Microsoft is announcing how Mixed Reality Link users can now stream their Windows 11 screen directly to a Meta Quest 3/3s headset, allowing Meta device operators to access virtual monitors for working in a spatial environment. Currently, some bugs exist using workplace applications like Teams, but Microsoft seems keen to push the service as a seamless work tool.
The Microsoft Mixed Reality Link uses unique QR codes to allow users to link their headset to a PC. Users must have the latest Windows 11 operating system to access the service.
In an official statement, Microsoft noted:
We are thrilled to announce that the full capabilities of Windows 11 can now be enjoyed on mixed reality headsets, starting with Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S. Microsoft is partnering with Meta to make this experience available today in public preview, and we’re excited to get feedback from the community. Access to your local Windows PC from a Quest headset is seamless and it takes only seconds to connect to a private, high-quality, multiple-monitor workstation.
Readers should also note that the Microsoft Mixed Reality Link service only works with Meta Quest 3/3s headsets, not any other model. This seemingly showcases a dedication from Microsoft and Meta to creating a spatial productivity service, perhaps to pick up where Apple left off with the Vision Pro.
Microsoft Announces Partnership at Ignite
At Ignite 2024, Microsoft announced the upcoming launch of a mixed-reality version of its Windows portfolio for Meta Quest headsets. This development comes as the company ceases support for HoloLens, signalling a shift towards becoming an immersive software provider rather than focusing on hardware.
Microsoft emphasizes that the immersive Windows service will offer enhanced productivity and collaboration opportunities for Quest users, potentially increasing the applicability of Meta’s MR headsets in professional environments. Additionally, Meta is expanding the use of Quest devices in workplace settings with initiatives like the Meta Quest for Education package.
Windows Mixed Reality for Quest aims to create a virtual collaboration and productivity suite that supports virtual meetings, shared workspace environments, and in-person collaboration involving high-quality MR visualizations of digital content.
This announcement coincides with Microsoft’s broader strategy to provide hardware-agnostic extended reality productivity applications. Recently, the company formed a long-term partnership with RealWear to distribute Power Apps for RealWear’s smart glasses aimed at frontline workers.
The news from Ignite demonstrates Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to extended reality by offering tools that drive the future of work. While the company’s ambitions in XR hardware may have diminished, Microsoft is well-positioned to deliver immersive solutions based on its extensive Windows, Azure, and Copilot portfolios.
Furthermore, from a backend infrastructure perspective, Microsoft is firmly positioned in the emerging enterprise technology sector. By leveraging this capability, Microsoft can enhance enterprise experiences and potentially elevate business workflows.
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