# The Open-Air Design: A Favored Option for VR Enthusiasts, Similar to the Meta Quest Pro
Virtual Reality (VR) technology has significantly progressed, and as a result, the design of VR headsets has adapted to accommodate various user preferences. A prominent trend that has surfaced in recent times is the open-air design, which has gained popularity among numerous VR fans. This design, which permits an unrestricted peripheral view, delivers a more engaging and comfortable experience, akin to the Meta Quest Pro. Following the discontinuation of the Quest Pro, Meta has unveiled a new accessory for the Meta Quest 3 that emphasizes this open-air experience.
## Essential Information
– Meta is introducing a $40 “open facial interface” for the Meta Quest 3, enabling an open-periphery experience.
– This design features padding for added comfort while creating a gap to minimize lens fogging and permit users to observe their surroundings.
– The open facial interface is viewed as a successor to the Meta Quest Pro, which is soon to be phased out.
### A Fresh Way to Experience the Meta Quest 3
During Meta Connect 2024, the spotlight was largely on the new Meta Quest 3 and the Quest 3S. However, one of the most thrilling announcements was the launch of the “open facial interface” for the Quest 3. This accessory, priced at $40 and available for pre-order, gives users a fresh method of wearing their headset, offering an open-periphery experience reminiscent of the Meta Quest Pro.
The open facial interface aims to bridge the gap created by the Quest Pro’s discontinuation. While the Quest Pro featured a distinct open-air design without any facial padding, the new interface for the Quest 3 includes some padding for comfort yet still preserves an open periphery. This design helps reduce common problems like lens fogging and provides users with an expanded view of their surroundings, making it perfect for mixed-reality experiences.
### The Three Ways to Wear the Meta Quest 3
With the launch of the open facial interface, Meta now presents three official methods for using the Quest 3:
1. **Default Facial Interface**: This is included with the Quest 3 and designed for regular use, ensuring a snug fit for a variety of VR experiences.
2. **Silicone Facial Interface**: Available separately for $40, this interface suits high-energy games and workouts, providing a more resilient and sweat-proof alternative.
3. **Open Facial Interface**: The latest offering, this interface is tailored for spatial experiences and is the lightest of the trio, weighing a mere 60 grams.
All these options cater to various user preferences and activities, enabling a more tailored VR experience.
### The Open Facial Interface: A Revolutionary Option for Mixed Reality
A significant advantage of the open facial interface is its capacity to enhance mixed-reality experiences. By allowing users to see their environment while wearing the headset, the open design facilitates interaction with both the virtual and physical realms at the same time. This feature is especially crucial for spatial computing and passthrough video experiences, where an open periphery can greatly enhance immersion.
Meta’s strategy with the open facial interface seeks to strike a balance between comfort and practicality. While some third-party alternatives enable Quest 3 users to forgo a facial interface altogether, Meta’s design merges the comforts and stability of a facial interface with the benefit of an unobstructed side view, making it a flexible option for various VR and mixed-reality applications.
### A Comparison with the Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro was recognized for its entirely open design that did not contact the user’s face. This resulted in a distinctive, open-air experience that many appreciated. However, with the Quest Pro now being discontinued, the open facial interface for the Quest 3 serves as the closest alternative.
Although the open facial interface for the Quest 3 does incorporate some padding, it still provides a similar open-periphery experience. According to Nick Sutrich from Android Central, who examined the new interface at Meta Connect, it effectively addresses lens fogging and creates a feeling of openness. However, it does not fully replicate the complete open-air experience of the Quest Pro, as the padding remains in contact with the user’s face.
### The Outlook for VR Headset Design
As VR technology advances, the designs of headsets will similarly progress. The introduction of the open facial interface for the Meta Quest 3 clearly indicates that Meta is responding to user input and tailoring its products to fulfill the demands of its clientele. The open-air design is particularly appealing for those who use their headsets for mixed-reality applications, as it fosters a more seamless fusion of the virtual and physical environments.
Notably, the emergence of spatial experiences and mixed reality has been shaped by the introduction of competing products like
