Oculus Quest Update: Voice Commands and AMD Support for Oculus Link
This week has seen the rollout of the firmware update 12.0 coming soon after the announcement of Quest hand tracking functionality. With the update, Quest now has a new interface: voice commands.
The Oculus Quest system software v12 is finally rolling out and adding new functionalities such as Voice Commands, AMD support for Oculus Link as well as experimental controller-free hand tracking.
The voice commands are activated in the main menu through a new button. It then allows the user to navigate through the menu with their voice, launch apps and perform searches. Facebook has announced that the Voice Command feature is still in beta and will roll out gradually so even with the update v12, you may still not get the Voice Commands from the get-go. Oculus has stated that not all users currently have access to the voice commands feature in this update.
If you will be demoing the Quest headset to family and acquaintances this festive season, the v12 will simplify the experience for you. It will now be possible to perform tasks such as launching the First Contact tutorial or recentering the headset view from Oculus phone app.
The controller-free hand-tracking functionality was announced two days ago and is set to roll out this week. The functionality will now be rolling out as part of the v12 update. To see the feature listed in your menu, you will have to reboot the Quest headset.
Since the Oculus Quest launch in May, Facebook has added a lot of new features and improvements through software updates. These changes will likely go on through next year as Facebook continues to focus on the Quest headset over the Oculus Rift S and Go headsets.
Oculus Link Improvements
The Oculus Link feature transforms your Quest headset into a Quest-PC headset, enabling owners to use their standalone Oculus Quest headsets as a PC VR through a high-quality USB 3.0 cable. The Oculus Link update was launched last month but at the time of launch, there was no support for the AMD graphics cards.
The firmware update 12.0 now comes with Oculus Link improvements with support for AMD graphics cards. Oculus Quest users with an AMD graphics card are now able to also use their virtual reality headsets on PC. The firmware update 12.0 enables Oculus Link support for AMD GPUs. Facebook has listed the following card families as now Link-supported:-
- AMD 400 Series
- AMD 500 Series
- AMD 5000 Series
- AMD Vega Series
The AMD 200 and 300 series are still unsupported. Facebook has, however, stated that it is working with AMD to enable support for as many of its graphics cards as possible by the end of the beta period.
The Windows audio will now be separated from the VR audio for all Oculus Link users so there won’t be YouTube tabs or Spotify via Quest anymore.
The firmware update also comes with “performance improvements and stability fixes” to Oculus Link.
The update has also eliminated a bug in the audio playback. On the other hand, the microphone has been switched off temporarily and will be reactivated in the future. You can find additional information on the update in the Oculus Link Infoguide.
New Comfort Functions
The update has improved the casting function of Oculus’ smartphone app. Users can now manually start a tutorial or recalibrate the viewing function from the outside. This improvement should make Quest screenings easier.
The Oculus Store features a new design and users can now add payment methods in Virtual Reality. Users can individually set the privacy of each of the apps in the smartphone app, including which information is to be shared with other users. In VR, there is a list of where owners can view and customize the rights that have been conferred by each of the apps.
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https://virtualrealitytimes.com/2019/12/12/oculus-quest-update-voice-commands-and-amd-support-for-oculus-link/https://www.xrcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/oculus-quest-update-voice-commands-and-amd-support-for-oculus-link-3.jpghttps://virtualrealitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Oculus-Quest-Firmware-Update-150×90.jpgHardwareOculus QuestTechnologyVR HeadsetsThis week has seen the rollout of the firmware update 12.0 coming soon after the announcement of Quest hand tracking functionality. With the update, Quest now has a new interface: voice commands. The Oculus Quest system software v12 is finally rolling out and adding new functionalities such as Voice Commands,…Sam OchanjiSam Ochanjisochanji@yahoo.comAdministratorVirtual Reality Times
