The Oculus Quest will launch on May 21 alongside a select few titles, one of which is the official YouTube VR app.
As with existing versions already available on Oculus Go, Samsung Gear VR, and other virtual reality headsets, YouTube VR will offer access to 360-degree content in addition to traditional 2D videos.
YouTube VR For Oculus Quest At Launch
Google has typically rolled out YouTube VR a few months, and sometimes even years, after a given headset's launch. This time, however, it's launching the app on the same day as the Oculus Quest is released. That makes YouTube VR part of the headset's introductory slate, which also includes painting tool Tilt Brush and the popular game Job Simulator. Fans of the latter titles will be pleased to know that the game's sequel, called Vacation Simulator, is due out on the Oculus Quest later this year.
More than 50 titles are expected at launch, which suggests the headset is a big deal for Facebook, Oculus' parent company. The Oculus Quest represents their efforts to push VR even further into the mainstream. While it's made some strides, VR largely remains a niche category. This is despite low-budget versions entering the market to make it within reach of VR skeptics.
Apps such as YouTube VR could be crucial to helping Facebook and Oculus widen their new headset's appeal and reach new customers. Again, the Oculus Quest launches May 21 for $399. Also launching on that day is the Oculus Rift S headset, which has the same price point as its sibling Quest.
Oculus Quest
The Oculus Quest, announced last year, is one of the most anticipated VR headsets to hit the market. It works without external tracking cameras or a paired computer, using its own Qualcomm Snapdragon processor to run apps and games. The Oculus Rift S, meanwhile, is a refresh of 2016's Oculus Rift with more convenient inside-out tracking cameras.
Will the Oculus Quest finally help herald VR headsets into wider, more common usage? It's hard to say. However, seeing how hard Facebook keeps trying to improve the device's market adoption means they're here to stay. Since it doesn't need a sophisticated and expensive rug just to run, perhaps more people will warm up to the Oculus Quest moving forward.
Think the Oculus Quest will be successful? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
