Oculus Quest 2 killer upgrade just went live — how PC streaming works

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Oculus Quest ii killer upgrade just went live — how PC streaming works

(Image credit: Oculus )

Oculus Quest 2 owners tin can now enjoy untethered PC gaming thanks to the new Air Link feature dropping a picayune earlier than expected.

Previously, the only official way to play PC games on Oculus Quest was to physically connect the headset to your gaming PC's USB port. Simply now, those with a strong enough wireless connection will be able to play without cables.

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Originally, the feature was disabled on the latest release of the software, but co-ordinate to Facebook Reality Labs' Andrew Bosworth, the release date has been moved up a bit because "the excitement over Air Link tin can't be contained."

You need to exist running Oculus v28 on both your PC and and Quest 2, only Bosworth says it's "coming very soon" if it hasn't arrived for yous yet. Once y'all have the software, you accept to enable Air Link via the experimental features section of the settings menu.

Unfortunately, Facebook has no plans to bring the characteristic to the original Oculus Quest, leaving early adopters tethered or with other paid wireless solutions.

Will Air Link piece of work for yous?

This is plainly a huge development, as it theoretically gives you lot the very best of both worlds: games well across the Quest ii's capabilities delivered without an annoying cable to continue you lot grounded.

But Oculus is quite articulate that it won't piece of work for everyone. Not only do you need one of the all-time gaming PCs capable of running, say, Half Life: Alyx, but you lot also need a solid, uncongested wireless connection to deliver speeds required for streaming.

That ways that for some, using the Link cable remains the best style to play PC games on the Quest 2. As the company said when the feature was officially announced: "If you desire to charge your headset during your VR exploits, experience the highest-fidelity visuals possible, or if your bachelor Wi-Fi network is congested or unsecured, Link via USB-C cablevision is the fashion to go. If you have a strong and secure Wi-Fi network and if your playspace is ideally within roughly 20 feet of your WiFi router, Air Link will be a expert option."

Using previous wireless solutions, similar the excellent Virtual Desktop app, many accept sworn past having a dedicated router for Oculus traffic. For me and my mesh Wi-Fi setup, this wasn't necessary and I've been able to enjoy PC games iii rooms from my desktop with more floor space and no noticeable lag (except when the PC was besides downloading things.)

While I haven't had the official Air Link update yet, I can confirm that playing PC games without the wire actually is a game irresolute experience. Now it'due south part of the Oculus Bone and you lot don't have to drop $xx on some software to see if it works for you; y'all really have nothing to lose by giving it a go.

• More than: Resident Evil iv remake hits Oculus Quest 2 this year — everything we know

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing well-nigh tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional mag besides. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, yous'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games excess. Or, more than probable, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/oculus-quest-2-killer-upgrade-just-went-live-how-pc-streaming-works

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