WhatsApp, a global leader in social media, is set to revolutionize communication yet again by integrating with Meta Quest Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, offering users an immersive journey into the metaverse.
This groundbreaking advancement surfaced in the beta version 2.23.13.6 of the Android app, and it promises to mark a new era in social interaction. This move aligns with the mission of Meta (formerly Facebook) to dominate the virtual landscape, following on the heels of its Meta Quest 3 announcement and subsequent price drops for earlier headset models.
Despite the feature still being in development and lacking an official rollout date, the screenshot from the beta version provides a tantalizing peek into what users can expect: a seamless interface between WhatsApp and Meta Quest. While early enthusiasts have attempted to install WhatsApp on their VR devices, this official integration will provide a smoother, optimized experience.
Expanding its reach beyond VR, WhatsApp is enhancing compatibility with Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses for direct messaging and has introduced a 15-minute message-editing window. Concurrently, Instagram, a Meta subsidiary, plans to boost user engagement with a 30-personality AI chatbot. Meta also dropped NFT support for Instagram and Facebook in March 2023.
In essence, WhatsApp is transforming the face of social interaction with ambitious steps towards integrating the metaverse and VR hardware. The upcoming Meta Quest compatibility, coupled with other new features, signals WhatsApp’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. As the digital world waits in anticipation, the metaverse is set to become more accessible, and perhaps even commonplace, through our favorite apps like WhatsApp.
Also Read: Apple’s New Mixed Reality Headset Can Boost Metaverse Tokens