WorldLens: All-in-One Virtual Travel

WorldLens: All-in-One Virtual Travel is a travel and exploration and media app from Boe that lets you visit real places using Google Earth 3D data and Street View imagery. The developer says it is the first app to bring 3D Street View into VR. It launched on the Meta Horizon Store on September 13, 2023. WorldLens is a third-party app and states that it is not made by or affiliated with Google.

What you can do

The 3D map covers nearly every well-known city, and an AI feature the developer calls Enhance 3D Imagery sharpens the models. Street View includes both Google and community panoramas at up to 8K, a Time Travel option for older imagery, and a 3D mode that adds depth to 360-degree photos.

• An AI assistant that talks in your language, understands where you are and what is around you, fetches live information, acts as a tour guide and moves you anywhere by voice.
• Lighting that follows the local time of day, plus atmospheric haze.
• Dynamic level of detail for long view distances with smooth performance.

Multiplayer

You can explore with friends. The store lists multiplayer and co-op alongside solo play, though the description does not say how many people can join a session.

Comfort

Meta rates it as comfortable for most people. It supports sitting, standing and room-scale play and works with controllers or hand tracking. Flying over cities can be hard on some people, so the app includes comfort settings such as snap turning and a motion vignette, along with a choice of movement controls. With hand tracking you point to fly and steer with a turning gesture.

Platforms and what to know before buying

• Price: $9.99 on the Meta Horizon Store.
• Headsets: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2.
• Internet: a connection is required.
• Ads: no in-app ads.
• Early access: no, it is a full release.
• Language: English.
• Age rating: 3+.