Quest VR Headsets To No Longer Require A Facebook Account For Login

Meta has recently announced that a Facebook account is no longer needed for Quest VR headset logins. Instead, owners are now required to create a new Meta account and a Meta Horizon profile in order to fully utilise the virtual reality headgear – both of which are currently being rolled out on a gradual basis across the globe.

As some may recall, this isn’t the first time Meta has shifted the login policy for its headsets. Prior to this, the company discontinued the original Oculus accounts in 2020, requiring users to log in to their Quest VR devices with a Facebook account instead. The move proved to be unpopular, with existing headset owners – those with and without an existing Facebook account –  raising privacy concerns due to the tech giant’s well-known (but infamous) track record on the subject.

This supposed U-turn may seem like an attempt to quell users of any fears related to the stigma that Meta possesses. However, all this does is raise even more eyebrows at best, as you’re still required to register with the company anyway – this time around with another account made directly under the brand itself, which is undeniably redundant.

Despite all this, Meta is adamant that this move is the best course of action moving forward. “Our new Meta account structure gives you more flexibility and control, letting you choose how you do and don’t show up—and whether Facebook and / or Instagram is part of your experience in VR and other surfaces where you use your Meta Horizon profile,” the social media conglomerate said in its recent blog post.

If you’re cool with this (not like we’re given much of a choice to begin with), you can create a new account through the Meta mobile app using an email address, Facebook account, or Instagram account. Once it is created, all that’s left is to set up a linked Meta Horizon social profile for your Quest VR headset. Additionally, you can also choose to remove your Facebook profile from your newly created Meta account afterwards.

Valve Patent Describes More Adjustable, Possibly Wireless Or Standalone VR Headsets

Valve released its Index headset back in 2019 a few months before the release of Half-Life: Alyx. It looks like the company may already be working on new VR headsets. A new patent was published and granted to the company, which describes a fair number of improvements all round.

For the most part, the patent describes improved ergonomics to make the headset sit better on someone’s head. This includes examples like using spring or tension-loaded harnesses for a better fit. But more than that, the Valve patent also describes a headset with connectivity, or even one that can act as a standalone headset.

There is also mention of eye trackers in the patent. But it’s quite unlike what Apple may be planning with its own mixed reality headset. For one, the implementation here does not involve priority rendering for parts of the display a user’s eyes are looking at. Instead, the Valve patent mentions using it for distortion adjustment, and to determine a user’s gaze point.

The patent also comes with a number of images depicting headsets of slightly different designs. Though as with all patents, it remains to be seen if Valve will be making use of any of these in an upcoming VR headset.