Microsoft has expanded its presence in the virtual reality market by launching its popular Office apps for Meta Quest headsets. Users can now download and use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on their VR devices, as well as the Xbox Cloud Gaming app that was announced earlier this week.
The Office apps are compatible with the original Oculus Quest, as well as the newer Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro models. Users will need a Microsoft account to access the apps, which are designed to run in a mixed reality mode. This means that users can still see the real world around them while working on their documents, spreadsheets, or presentations.
The apps can be controlled with the VR headset’s hand tracking feature, or with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for more convenience. Users can also run multiple Office apps side by side in the VR environment, as shown in a video posted by Android Central.
The launch of the Office apps is part of a broader collaboration between Microsoft and Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook. In October 2022, the two tech giants announced plans to bring more Microsoft apps and services to Meta Quest headsets, such as Teams, Outlook, Intune, and Azure Active Directory. These features are expected to enhance the productivity and security of VR users, especially in the enterprise sector.
Microsoft is not only working with Meta, but also with Apple, to bring its Office and Teams apps to the upcoming Vision Pro mixed reality headset.
The Vision Pro, which is rumored to cost $3,499, is slated to launch in early 2024. Microsoft is clearly aiming to dominate the VR and MR space with its software offerings, as well as its own hardware products like the HoloLens.