Meta debuts the highly requested Passthrough Camera API for Quest 3/3S as an experimental feature; developers can't ship apps with the API on Horizon Store yet
The company had previously introduced a Passthrough API for Quest 2 developers, while later adding HDMI/DisplayPort capture support through a companion app. The new camera-focused access therefore extends an established push to make real-world inputs usable in headset software.
First-order effects
Quest 3 and 3S developers can begin experimenting with the Passthrough Camera API, but cannot distribute API-based apps through Horizon Store yet.
Meta keeps control of the initial testing phase: developers can validate camera-driven mixed-reality experiences without receiving immediate access to the platform's main consumer distribution channel.
Second-order effects
The Horizon Store restriction delays commercial validation for developers and limits near-term pressure on other headset platforms to match a broadly shippable camera API.
Tooling and prototype development can advance ahead of store availability, creating a split between developers able to test the feature and consumers who cannot yet obtain applications that depend on it.
Third-order effects
If Meta graduates the API to store distribution, mixed-reality differentiation could shift further from display passthrough quality alone toward what third-party software can do with camera input.
The staged rollout suggests headset platforms may treat access to real-world sensor data as a governed capability, balancing developer experimentation with platform review before mass distribution.
The trend: Mixed-reality platforms are progressing from improved passthrough hardware toward controlled developer access to the sensors that make camera-aware applications possible.
@purplemikey @ASychov No, it's a 180° 3D immersive video. But on visionOS you can optionally play immersive video in a window, if you really want. Which is what @ASychov is seemingly doing here, for some reason.
Meta Quest camera access is here. Something that so many lit me up just a year ago saying it was never going to happen due to potential “PriVaCY ViOlaTionS”. Just like I was right about the Quest 3 being same weight as Quest 2. Just as I was right about Meta layoffs Q1 2025. [ima…
We've been playing with camera access for some time and it's what's enabled us to take a leap forward with Dream Park This official release is a watershed moment for AR, massive potential for truly world-changing applications
Thanks for the shout out @xrdevrob and thanks for listening to the developers here. We are going to build amazing stuff 🙏 Oh and we were first 😉 https://www.uploadvr.com/...
This marks one of the biggests milestones for #XR ever! Now we can finally create the experiences we have always dreamed of, and with really affordable headsets
The first preview version of my package that allows you to access #Meta's latest Passthrough Camera API in #Unity is out on #GitHub and #OpenUPM! https://github.com/...
I finished the demo for GDC yesterday and it was honestly such a great learning experience (includes Passthrough Camera Access). We'll be at the Meta booth, walking developers through the creation process. 📌 This MR prototype provides: - An understanding of how to set up an MR [v…