TLDRs;
- Meta launches Hyperscape Capture, allowing Quest 3 users to scan real rooms into photorealistic VR environments.
- Hyperscape uses advanced Gaussian Splatting and cloud rendering, with room scans taking minutes and rendering hours.
- At launch, users can’t invite others into their VR spaces, but Meta plans to add social features later.
- Alongside Hyperscape, Meta introduced $799 Ray-Ban Display smart glasses with gesture controls powered by neural wristbands.
Meta has begun rolling out Hyperscape Capture, a feature designed for Quest 3 and Quest 3S headset owners that allows them to scan physical rooms and transform them into photorealistic digital spaces.
The early access rollout, limited to users aged 18 and above, promises to reshape how people interact with virtual environments by blending real-world familiarity with advanced VR rendering.
While the feature won’t allow friends or guests to enter these recreated digital rooms at launch, Meta has confirmed that social functionality will be introduced in future updates.
Hyperscape Uses Cutting-Edge Technology
Hyperscape Capture was first teased at Meta Connect last year and has now moved into public hands. The feature leverages a mix of Gaussian Splatting, cloud rendering, and streaming technologies to achieve a balance between high-fidelity visuals and practical user accessibility.
According to Meta, scanning a room typically takes only a few minutes, but rendering that scan into a usable 3D environment can take several hours. The payoff, however, is an impressively realistic digital replica that can serve as a foundation for gaming, virtual meetings, or simply exploring personal environments in VR.
The rollout is being conducted gradually, meaning not all Quest 3 and Quest 3S users will immediately see the feature available. Meta has indicated this phased approach will help them fine-tune performance and user experience before a broader release.
Smart Glasses Join Meta’s Expanding Ecosystem
The launch of Hyperscape comes alongside the launch of Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses this week. Priced at $799, these are the company’s first consumer-ready smart glasses with an integrated display.
Unlike Meta’s earlier audio-only Ray-Ban smart glasses, the new device comes equipped with a Meta Neural Band, an EMG-powered wristband that allows users to control the glasses with hand gestures. Zuckerberg highlighted how the device enables wearers to watch videos, read and reply to texts, or access AI-powered features without losing sight of their surroundings.
In addition to the flagship $799 model, Meta announced two more options, the $499 Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses, expected in October, and the $379 Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses, already available for purchase.
Expanding the Future of Mixed Reality
Between Hyperscape Capture for VR headsets and the rollout of advanced smart glasses, Meta is positioning itself at the forefront of consumer-ready mixed reality. By offering tools that combine realism, style, and intuitive controls, the company aims to create a seamless transition between physical and virtual spaces.
Analysts note that while Hyperscape is still limited in scope, it represents a significant leap forward in bridging the gap between the real and the virtual. Combined with the release of the new Ray-Ban Display glasses, Meta is signaling its long-term commitment to making immersive technology mainstream.
