The social media giant said that the new tool can be downloaded for free on Oculus Quest 2 in countries where the virtual reality (VR) system is supported
An illustration of the collaboration experience brought by Facebook’s Horizon Workrooms. (Credit: FACEBOOK)
Facebook has launched the open beta of Horizon Workrooms, a new collaboration experience that enables people to come together to work in the same virtual room, irrespective of their physical location.
The social media giant said that the new tool can be downloaded for free on Oculus Quest 2 in countries where the virtual reality (VR) system is supported.
Horizon Workrooms works across VR as well as the web, said Facebook.
The collaboration experience tool is expected to boost the ability of teams to work together, communicate, and connect remotely by tapping VR.
Facebook said that it has packed features such as a mixed-reality desk and keyboard tracking, remote desktop streaming, hand tracking, spatial audio, video conferencing integration, and the new Oculus Avatars into its flagship collaboration experience product.
The company said that users can enter into a meeting in VR as either an avatar or dial into the virtual room from their computer by video call. Users can use a virtual whiteboard with infinite space for sketching their ideas together as well as bring their computer and keyboard into VR to collaborate with others.
According to Facebook, users can get fast one-click access to their entire computers from VR by using the new Oculus Remote Desktop companion app, which is available for Mac and Windows. The new collaboration tool will also allow users to take notes during meetings, bring their files into VR, and share their screens with colleagues as well.
Addressing the potential concerns on safety and privacy in Horizon Workrooms, Facebook stated: “Workrooms will not use your work conversations and materials to inform ads on Facebook. Additionally, Passthrough processes images and videos of your physical environment from the device sensors locally.
“Facebook and third-party apps do not access, view or use these images or videos to target ads.”
The company added that other people cannot see a user’s computer screen in Horizon Workrooms unless he or she opts to share it. Furthermore, the permissions granted by users for the Oculus Remote Desktop app are only used for enabling streaming from their computers to headsets, said the social media firm.