>
Microsoft is bringing some of its remote work software to the metaverse. Microsoft and Meta announced at the recent Meta Connect 2022 event that they are entering into a new productivity-focused VR and AR partnership
In a blog post about the news, Microsoft wrote: (opens in new tab) that as workplace environments evolve in the wake of the pandemic, it is important to keep up with the times. The company points to recent data it has collected that shows that “50 percent of Gen Z and millennials” [envision] do some of their work in the metaverse [within] the next two years.” It is in this context that Microsoft is moving beyond its own HoloLens/mixed-reality efforts to help Meta gain a foothold in productivity-focused VR and AR.
Within the “coming months,” four of Microsoft’s “work and productivity tools (opens in new tab)” will make their way into both the Quest 2 VR headset and the newly announced Meta Quest Pro (the official name for the highly anticipated Project Cambria). Some of the tools include integration with Microsoft Teams and support for various work apps.
Remote work support
To be more precise, the companies add: Microsoft Mesh (opens in new tab) to the Quest headsets. This feature allows people to join Teams meetings held in Horizon Workrooms, which are virtual boardrooms. You can interact with others through Meta Avatars and brainstorm ideas through virtual tools.
It looks like the Quest devices will support all apps from the Microsoft 365 suite. The announcement specifically mentions support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint, but nothing for OneDrive or OneNote. There are also reports stating: (opens in new tab) the apps will not be special VR versions. Instead, the apps will be a direct port of the desktop version done through Progressive Web App (PWA) technology. Windows 365 is also supported on Quest headsets, allowing users to stream a cloud PC complete with personalized settings.
Safety is also considered. Microsoft Intune and Azure Active Directory will support the Quest headsets, allowing IT professionals to protect the devices “with a Quest for Business subscription”. Simply put, Intune helps manage hardware to protect corporate data, while Active Directory protects software from cyber-attacks.
Beyond the remote work integrations, both companies briefly mentioned a plan to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to the Meta Quest Store. A giant screen is projected into the headset that gives you access to Xbox Game Pass and all the titles you have, but it doesn’t cover the entire screen. Think of a movie screen in a theater.
It is unknown whether services such as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate are supported. We’ve reached out to Microsoft to find out more. This story will be updated if we hear anything
Potential End of Hololens
After going through the reveal, we were left with one question: what will happen to Hololens?
Hololens is Microsoft’s own take on mixed reality headsets, but it never really took off. The current state of this technology is a bit of a mystery. Earlier this year, reports came out that Microsoft had scrapped all work on the HoloLens 3 mid-development. But then the company said those claims were exaggerated and that Hololens were being reused for the US military. And yes, the company unveiled IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmented System) for the US military in early September.
So when it comes to virtual reality for consumers and businesses, Microsoft seems more interested in providing support through software than hardware. Hololens may really be gone by now, beyond niche use.
Be sure to check out TechRadar’s coverage of the Meta Connect 2022 event. Earlier we called the official reveal of the Quest Pro headset that looks really cool but might not be for everyone.