Mixed reality headsets have come a long way in recent years. Today, they offer incredibly lifelike experiences to immerse you into new worlds. Unlike straight virtual reality headsets, these mixed reality devices can combine virtual elements into your physical space to offer gaming, movies and productivity tools for you to interact with. What’s more, the headsets often cost less than a whole new games console.
If you’re looking for a way to entertain your family, a virtual or mixed reality headset can go far beyond gaming and actually provide educational experiences in a way they won’t want to put down.
The Meta Quest 3 is one of the latest mixed reality headsets on the market and offers an extensive library of 500+ immersive apps and games. This affordable device features dual RGB cameras on the outside with a depth projector so it can offer incredible mixed reality experiences. Here are some of the many things you can do with it.
Learning
Ever wanted to learn the piano but don’t have the room for a full sized keyboard? The PianoVision app is a mixed reality piano teacher that lets you play along to thousands of songs and exercises by creating a realistic virtual piano on any flat surface. The Painting VR experience lets you get creative with an unlimited supply of paints and canvas, to unleash your inner artist. Meanwhile, Cooking Simulator VR is a safe way to let wannabe chefs try new creations.
There’s a host of educational apps, too. From chemistry and maths games, like Futuclass Education and Prisms Math, to geography-friendly National Geographic Explorer VR. No matter the subject or skill, there’s an app here to help hone it.
Fitness and wellness
Why won’t the kids just go outside and play? Luckily you can get a full workout using the Meta Quest 3. As the device can track the movements of your head and hands, there’s apps that put this to good use, making you really work up a sweat.
Dedicated fitness apps, such as FitXR and Les Mills Bodycombat can provide HIIT workouts and gym time from the comfort of your living room. However there are other apps and games that do it more subtly. Beat Saber is essentially a rhythm game, but to smash the small cubes with your illuminated sabre, takes some serious effort. There are also various sports games like Tennis Esports and Gym Class Basketball VR still require lots of physical action.
If you’re looking for some mindfulness, the Headspace XR app creates a virtual world in which you can meditate, relax or find focus in one of the mood-boosting games. Meanwhile, Tripp creates new realities for you to explore and help you focus, calm, learn or sleep.
Movies and shows
The Meta Quest 3 also provides a great way to watch regular films and television series. You can watch these on a giant screen, which you can place anywhere in your home – or even in a number of different virtual environments. The Prime Video VR app for instance, lets you watch your favourite streaming shows in a classic cinema, making entertainment larger than life.
Or, if YouTube’s your thing, you can see some of your favourite creators in YouTube’s in-browser experience, getting you closer to the action.
For something extra special, you can try one of the many documentary apps available from the Meta store. Set in either 180 or 360 degrees, these stories combine learning with an immersive VR experience, letting you experience being on the International Space Station, or at classic moments in history.
Gaming
Of course, one of the main uses of a mixed reality headset remains its gaming potential, and once study is over, the selection of games on offer is a real treat. There's every type of game you can think of including AAA titles like Asgard's Wrath 2 or the upcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow.
There are social gaming options too, such as Super Rumble in Horizon Worlds. This six-player free-for-all action game lets you power up with a range of weapons and superpowers to beat your friends or family. Now you can even play Xbox Cloud Gaming titles on the Meta Quest, to enjoy your favourite titles on an impossible big screen.
EE’s partnership with Meta means you can pick up a Meta Quest 3 mixed reality headset for just £21 a month over 24 months. Plus, you can benefit from super-fast full-fibre broadband to use it from just £29.99 a month. See child safety guidance online; Accounts for 10+.
