The release of new apps in the Quest Store will no longer be compatible with the original Oculus Quest 1 starting May. This decision was not due to a lack of power in the Quest 1 but rather a strategic move by developers to phase out the device as part of planned obsolescence, as revealed by Meta last year. As of April 30th, players using the Quest 1 will no longer see new apps in the store, and developers will be unable to upload apps exclusive to the Quest 1. Even builds supporting multiple headsets will have Quest 1 compatibility blocked.
Existing apps that currently support the Quest 1 will continue to do so, but Meta announced the winding down of support for the device, including security updates and bug fixes, by August of this year. Quest 1 users have already experienced limitations, such as losing access to certain social features, and the Oculus SDK discontinued support for the Quest 1 in April 2023.
The swift transition from the original Quest 1 to the Quest 2, released only 18 months after, raises concerns about the reasoning behind the obsolescence of the former. While traditional console generations offer significant graphical upgrades to justify the shift to new hardware, the Quest 1’s discontinuation appears premature. Meta’s decision to dictate the timeline for developers, without a clear value proposition for consumers, is a stark contrast to the more gradual and justifiable transitions seen in the console market.
Final Thoughts
The practice of planned obsolescence, as exemplified by the treatment of the Oculus Quest 1, raises questions about the longevity and sustainability of modern tech devices. Rather than allowing natural progression based on technological advancements, manufacturers are pushing for accelerated obsolescence, potentially alienating consumers and impacting the industry as a whole. As users navigate these changes, the looming question remains: what’s next for the Oculus lineup and the future of virtual reality technologies? Valve, are we expecting a new Index headset anytime soon to shake up the competition?
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