Windows + Horizon OS
Connecting Quest devices with Windows PCs for a seamless, native-like experience.
We designed a cross-platform solution that allows Quest users to access their Windows PCs, local or cloud, effortlessly. This project aimed to bridge the gap between Windows and Horizon OS, creating a smooth user flow despite the underlying complexity of connecting two independent systems.
My role:
As Design Director on the Microsoft side, I worked closely with engineering and PMs from both companies to shape the product strategy and user journey. I also led all communications, including visuals, presentations, and videos.
Team:
A small, multi-disciplinary team across Microsoft and Meta to bring this cross-platform experience to life. Rosa Park, Marco Plewe, Jonathan Lyons, Thom Mignone, Roman Shakhmanaev, and many others.
2024
Windows + Horizon OS
Connecting Quest devices with Windows PCs for a seamless, native-like experience.
We designed a cross-platform solution that allows Quest users to access their Windows PCs, local or cloud, effortlessly. This project aimed to bridge the gap between Windows and Horizon OS, creating a smooth user flow despite the underlying complexity of connecting two independent systems.
My role:
As Design Director on the Microsoft side, I worked closely with engineering and PMs from both companies to shape the product strategy and user journey. I also led all communications, including visuals, presentations, and videos.
Team:
A small, multi-disciplinary team across Microsoft and Meta to bring this cross-platform experience to life. Rosa Park, Marco Plewe, Jonathan Lyons, Thom Mignone, Roman Shakhmanaev, and many others.
2024
Windows + Horizon OS
Connecting Quest devices with Windows PCs for a seamless, native-like experience.
We designed a cross-platform solution that allows Quest users to access their Windows PCs, local or cloud, effortlessly. This project aimed to bridge the gap between Windows and Horizon OS, creating a smooth user flow despite the underlying complexity of connecting two independent systems.
My role:
As Design Director on the Microsoft side, I worked closely with engineering and PMs from both companies to shape the product strategy and user journey. I also led all communications, including visuals, presentations, and videos.
Team:
A small, multi-disciplinary team across Microsoft and Meta to bring this cross-platform experience to life. Rosa Park, Marco Plewe, Jonathan Lyons, Thom Mignone, Roman Shakhmanaev, and many others.
2024
As VR usage grows and device’s visual and physical comfort improve, productivity experiences centered around desktop get more popular. With it the need for better integration across workflows
As VR usage grows and device’s visual and physical comfort improve, productivity experiences centered around desktop get more popular. With it the need for better integration across workflows
As VR usage grows and device’s visual and physical comfort improve, productivity experiences centered around desktop get more popular. With it the need for better integration across workflows
The challenge of bridging two systems
The challenge of bridging two systems
Identity Sharing
Identity Sharing
Identity Sharing
Creating a seamless and secure way to share user identity across Quest and Windows PCs.
Creating a seamless and secure way to share user identity across Quest and Windows PCs.
Creating a seamless and secure way to share user identity across Quest and Windows PCs.
Local and Cloud
Local and Cloud
Local and Cloud
Designing workflows that work effortlessly for both local devices and Windows 365 Cloud PCs.
Designing workflows that work effortlessly for both local devices and Windows 365 Cloud PCs.
Designing workflows that work effortlessly for both local devices and Windows 365 Cloud PCs.
Native-like Experience
Native-like Experience
Native-like Experience
Ensuring the connection feels intuitive and natural despite the complexity behind the scenes
Ensuring the connection feels intuitive and natural despite the complexity behind the scenes
Ensuring the connection feels intuitive and natural despite the complexity behind the scenes
Designing the bridge
Designing the bridge
Our goal was to create a seamless connection between Windows PCs and Meta Quest, addressing key challenges like secure identity sharing, device diversity, and immersive user flows. Each solution was carefully designed to reduce friction and optimize for both platforms.
Our goal was to create a seamless connection between Windows PCs and Meta Quest, addressing key challenges like secure identity sharing, device diversity, and immersive user flows. Each solution was carefully designed to reduce friction and optimize for both platforms.
Our goal was to create a seamless connection between Windows PCs and Meta Quest, addressing key challenges like secure identity sharing, device diversity, and immersive user flows. Each solution was carefully designed to reduce friction and optimize for both platforms.
Mixed Reality Link
To enable communication between Windows PCs and Meta Quest, we developed the Mixed Reality Link app. This service bridges the gap by advertising the PC's presence, handling identity sharing, and providing device management tools.
To enable communication between Windows PCs and Meta Quest, we developed the Mixed Reality Link app. This service bridges the gap by advertising the PC's presence, handling identity sharing, and providing device management tools.
To enable communication between Windows PCs and Meta Quest, we developed the Mixed Reality Link app. This service bridges the gap by advertising the PC's presence, handling identity sharing, and providing device management tools.
Advertises the PC's presence to the Quest headset.
Facilitates secure identity sharing via QR code.
Includes settings for pairing, unpairing, and managing devices.
Preinstalled on Windows PCs to streamline access and eliminate manual setup steps.
Advertises the PC's presence to the Quest headset.
Facilitates secure identity sharing via QR code.
Includes settings for pairing, unpairing, and managing devices.
Preinstalled on Windows PCs to streamline access and eliminate manual setup steps.
Advertises the PC's presence to the Quest headset.
Facilitates secure identity sharing via QR code.
Includes settings for pairing, unpairing, and managing devices.
Preinstalled on Windows PCs to streamline access and eliminate manual setup steps.
To maintain immersion, we introduced a simple shortcut for launching the Mixed Reality Link app. This removes the need for users to interrupt their VR experience by taking off the headset and navigating the desktop manually.
To maintain immersion, we introduced a simple shortcut for launching the Mixed Reality Link app. This removes the need for users to interrupt their VR experience by taking off the headset and navigating the desktop manually.
To maintain immersion, we introduced a simple shortcut for launching the Mixed Reality Link app. This removes the need for users to interrupt their VR experience by taking off the headset and navigating the desktop manually.
Windows App on Quest
We extended the functionality of the existing Windows App to act as the primary entry point for Windows connections on Quest. This unified app supports both Cloud PCs and local PCs, integrating seamlessly with the Mixed Reality Link.
We extended the functionality of the existing Windows App to act as the primary entry point for Windows connections on Quest. This unified app supports both Cloud PCs and local PCs, integrating seamlessly with the Mixed Reality Link.
We extended the functionality of the existing Windows App to act as the primary entry point for Windows connections on Quest. This unified app supports both Cloud PCs and local PCs, integrating seamlessly with the Mixed Reality Link.
Acts as the central hub for Windows 365 Cloud PCs and local PCs.
Listens for the Mixed Reality Link broadcast to detect nearby PCs.
Notifies the Meta Quest Remote Desktop app when a compatible PC is ready to connect.
Builds on a familiar app experience, optimized for Quest’s spatial interface.
Acts as the central hub for Windows 365 Cloud PCs and local PCs.
Listens for the Mixed Reality Link broadcast to detect nearby PCs.
Notifies the Meta Quest Remote Desktop app when a compatible PC is ready to connect.
Builds on a familiar app experience, optimized for Quest’s spatial interface.
Acts as the central hub for Windows 365 Cloud PCs and local PCs.
Listens for the Mixed Reality Link broadcast to detect nearby PCs.
Notifies the Meta Quest Remote Desktop app when a compatible PC is ready to connect.
Builds on a familiar app experience, optimized for Quest’s spatial interface.
Introducing the first true spatial affordance in Horizon OS
Introducing the first true spatial affordance in Horizon OS
We introduced the first spatial UI element in Horizon OS, designed to provide contextual feedback directly in the user’s physical environment. Attached to the user’s keyboard, this affordance enhances the pairing experience without interrupting immersion.
We introduced the first spatial UI element in Horizon OS, designed to provide contextual feedback directly in the user’s physical environment. Attached to the user’s keyboard, this affordance enhances the pairing experience without interrupting immersion.
We introduced the first spatial UI element in Horizon OS, designed to provide contextual feedback directly in the user’s physical environment. Attached to the user’s keyboard, this affordance enhances the pairing experience without interrupting immersion.
Anchored to the physical keyboard using Horizon OS’s universal keyboard tracker for precise spatial placement.
Context-aware: Appears only when the user’s PC is detected and ready to pair or connect.
Designed to blend seamlessly into the Horizon OS shell, ensuring consistency and minimal obtrusiveness.
Tuned with multiple parameters to balance visibility and user comfort, making it both helpful and non-distracting.
Anchored to the physical keyboard using Horizon OS’s universal keyboard tracker for precise spatial placement.
Context-aware: Appears only when the user’s PC is detected and ready to pair or connect.
Designed to blend seamlessly into the Horizon OS shell, ensuring consistency and minimal obtrusiveness.
Tuned with multiple parameters to balance visibility and user comfort, making it both helpful and non-distracting.
Designing spatial experiences in 2D can only go so far (not very). I jumped into VR early on to visualize and test a variety of layouts and flows that would allow for a non-obtrusive, contextual, and seamless spatial affordance-based connection flow.
Designing spatial experiences in 2D can only go so far (not very). I jumped into VR early on to visualize and test a variety of layouts and flows that would allow for a non-obtrusive, contextual, and seamless spatial affordance-based connection flow.
*The implementation details on Horizon OS were lead by Marco Plewe at Meta
*The implementation details on Horizon OS were lead by Marco Plewe at Meta
The Reception
The Reception
Comms / Making off
Comms / Making off
Leading a small team means wearing all hats, and I've been behind all communication efforts, including videos for Meta Connect, Microsoft Build, and Ignite.
Leading a small team means wearing all hats, and I've been behind all communication efforts, including videos for Meta Connect, Microsoft Build, and Ignite.
From AI storyboarding to previz
From AI storyboarding to previz
From AI storyboarding to previz
Starting with a storyboard animated with AI, then creating a self-recorded and edited previz to refine the vision. I collaborated with an agency and co-directed the final production with them, ensuring the outcome aligned with our creative and strategic goals.
Starting with a storyboard animated with AI, then creating a self-recorded and edited previz to refine the vision. I collaborated with an agency and co-directed the final production with them, ensuring the outcome aligned with our creative and strategic goals.
The product is currently in preview under Quest's advanced features. GA coming soon!
The product is currently in preview under Quest's advanced features. GA coming soon!