Technologies

Meta Quest’s New Hand-Tracking Update Adds Button Tapping, Maybe Better Typing

Added multitasking and an experimental «Direct Touch» hand-tracking update look like improvements on the way to this fall’s Quest 3.

The Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro already have hand tracking that works across many apps, and in the headset’s OS without using a controller, but it’s not necessarily good enough yet to replace your controllers. Meta’s latest Quest OS update looks like it’s trying to change that, and maybe make work interactions in VR feel a little less awkward.

Quest’s v50 update, announced Tuesday and rolling out now, adds an experimental mode called «Direct Touch» that changes the metaphor a bit for hand interactions. Previously, you’d point at objects and pinch your fingers to select where you’re pointing at. Direct Touch allows for reaching out and just tapping a button with your virtual finger instead.

Direct Touch also works on virtual keyboards, which means that typing on the pop-up Quest keyboard whenever it appears hovering in the air could feel less awkward, too.

Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, believes future Quest headsets could potentially ship without controllers, but at the moment hand tracking hasn’t been good enough yet to make that happen: «I think it’s pretty possible that someday we could ship a headset that didn’t have controllers with them, for audiences for whom their use cases didn’t need the extra weight expense. But we’re not there yet,» Bosworth told CNET last December.

Meta’s expected Quest 3 headset is expected later this year, and Apple’s own VR/AR entry is expected to be announced soon, too. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, looks like it’s continuing to evolve the interaction language on the Quest as it starts to bridge into mixed reality.

The v50 update also adds 2D app multitasking within other games and apps on the Quest 2, a feature that was already available on the Quest Pro.

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube