Well, I’ve got to say, the infamous CES bug is indeed real, and it lingers long after the event wraps up. Yet, with the determination to keep you all in the loop, here’s a roundup of some exciting XR happenings that you won’t want to miss out on!
Top Stories of the Week
XR’s Challenging Season
It’s not the most exhilarating time for the realm of immersive reality. The AR/VR market seems quite stagnant at the moment, making business growth a tough nut to crack. Although we’re certain that these technologies will play a pivotal role in the future, they remain somewhat niche today. In a previous piece, I shared my insights on the current state of affairs in this industry.
Several updates this week have solidified my earlier observations:
- The creators of PowerWash Simulator VR have halted game updates merely 14 months post-launch, citing development costs surpassing revenue.
- Soul Assembly, the studio behind games like Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, announced a 15% staff reduction.
- Research from Omdia and Sensor Tower highlighted a 27% drop in Meta Horizon app downloads on Christmas Day 2024 compared to 2023, hinting at a diminished holiday surge for VR purchases.
- Counterpoint reported a 4% global decline in the VR market in Q3 2024 compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
- Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida expressed regret over misjudging PS VR2.
- After seven successful years, the F.Reality podcast has concluded.
Given this backdrop, Blair Renaud, the creator of LOW-FI, vented on social media about his concerns for the future, encapsulating the uncertainty many developers are facing.
Despite these challenges, there’s a glimmer of positivity:
- Forbes published a piece applauding the metaverse’s popularity among younger generations as a social platform.
- Counterpoint’s analysis also noted that Apple’s Vision Pro shipment figures exceeded initial estimates, particularly in international markets.
- Beat Saber is closing in on the milestone of selling 10 million copies on the Quest platform alone.
We ought to brace ourselves for a few challenging years. The current trends in AR/VR tech, apart from a promising focus on smart glasses, don’t show signs of major shifts. However, by including these positive notes, I’m optimistic that improvement will come with time, so let’s strive to persevere.
Noteworthy News
Microsoft Forces Windows 11 24H2 Update
Microsoft is rolling out the 24H2 update for Windows 11, which removes support for Mixed Reality. This change effectively turns all Windows Mixed Reality headsets into mere paperweights. Those clinging to WMR have delayed this update as much as possible, but it’s now increasingly difficult to avoid for anyone utilizing the Home editions. My sympathies go out to the WMR users now left with unusable devices.
ASUS Unveils New AirVision M1 Glasses Trailer
ASUS has released an enticing new trailer for their AirVision M1 smart glasses. While they’ve been around since CES 2024, their features, such as 1100 nits of brightness, 60% transparency, and built-in speakers, make them noteworthy. Compatible with Windows PCs and Rog Ally consoles, these glasses weigh just 87g and offer a virtual multiscreen setup for $700—priced slightly above the $600 XREAL One Pro.
News That Deserves Mentioning
Palmer Luckey Teases Upcoming Announcement
Blair Renaud’s social media post received an intriguing reply from Palmer Luckey hinting at a VR-related announcement soon. Whether it’s about the military-oriented VR headset teased at AWE or a new iteration of the Quest Pro, I’m all ears for this one.
Somnium Space Revises Headset Pricing
Confronting manufacturing complexities, Somnium Space has increased the prices of its headsets by €5–700. Here’s the breakdown:
- Somnium VR1 Visionary Edition: €3000 + VAT
- Somnium VR1 Titan Edition: €3400 + VAT
- Somnium VR1 Ultimate Edition: €4300 + VAT
Meta’s High-Efficiency Red MicroLED
Meta and Plessey have unveiled a groundbreaking red microLED for AR glasses. With a brightness of 6 million nits and minimal power consumption, this development is significant since achieving such efficiency with red displays is complex. It’s a significant leap forward for AR technology.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses in Chess Play
Two inventive developers, Caden Li and Eddy Xu, have turned Ray-Ban Meta glasses into chess powerhouses. The glasses’ camera detects the chessboard, streams it to an AI, which then advises on moves, audibly communicated to the player. This brilliantly showcases the potential when AI is integrated with smart glasses.
VR Elevates Jayden Daniels in Sports
American football quarterback Jayden Daniels has attributed part of his success, leading the Washington Commanders to a historic NFL playoff win, to using VR for training, underscoring the technology’s efficacy in sports preparation.
Content Updates and Reviews
Some notable developments on the content side:
- The survival game GRIM, inspired by Rust, is in early access for Quest and SteamVR.
- Tablecraft introduces a VR sandbox, available in early access on Quest.
- The puzzle game Lovesick will launch for Meta Quest headsets on March 6.
- Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon hits Meta Quest on February 6, with a spring Steam release.
- PSVR 2’s team shooter, Firewall Ultra, received an unexpected update despite studio closure.
In the reviews corner:
- Iron Rebellion is lauded for its mech emulation.
- Arken Age presents an engaging game with strong combat elements.
- Assetto Corsa EVO faces issues despite its early access debut.
- The Thrill Of The Fight 2 offers a fresh multiplayer boxing experience.
- Human Within serves as a cautionary tale for branching story design.
Other Snippets
- Meta’s removal of an achievement-tracking app has frustrated both developers and users.
- Curiously, an LED near the Quest 3S cameras piqued some interest this week.
- Enthusiasm grows around the Visor headset, but discord abounds with some users getting banned for inquiries.
- Michael Gschwandtner shows off budget-conscious Nintendo Switch-linked AR glasses.
Partner and Community Updates
A heads-up about a unique workshop on the musical metaverse at the IEEE Symposium on the Internet of Sounds happening in Italy from October 29-31. It’s a prime chance to dive into Musical XR systems and networked interactions. If your work aligns, consider submitting your insights!
Light-Hearted XR Moments
A few chuckle-worthy XR takes this week include Meta hardware quirks, amusing XR business antics, and a humorous future Quest device QA test concept.
A Call for Compassionate Donations
As we part, I urge you to channel any generous spirit this week towards supporting those affected by ongoing conflicts. Consider donating to the Red Cross in Ukraine. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all my Patreon supporters for their continuous encouragement and contributions. If you’re willing, here’s the link to make a difference: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine.
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