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I’ve just got back from Italy—exhausted, yet full of joy. I trust that your Valentine’s Day was as delightful as mine, whether spent with loved ones or simply embracing happiness. One of the highlights of my week? My article on Android XR’s camera frame permissions has caught the attention of respected outlets like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority! It’s a thrilling feeling to bask in a brief moment of recognition. 😊 So, on that high note, let’s dive into the top XR stories of the week!
Top Stories This Week
Ray-Ban Meta Reaches 2 Million Units Sold
EssilorLuxottica’s CEO, Francesco Milleri, shared exciting news during the latest quarterly earnings call: the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have sold an impressive 2 million units. This aligns with whispers I’ve heard about their supply chain success and rising user retention. Good sales and strong user engagement are the hallmarks of a triumph in the tech world. Buoyed by this success, Luxottica is looking to ramp up production, aiming to produce over 10 million units by 2026.
The buzz around Ray-Ban Meta is sparking a smartglasses craze. While at CES, I witnessed numerous startups showcase their AI-driven smartglasses, and there’s talk that tech giants like Apple and Samsung are developing their versions as well. However, it’s vital to distinguish hype from reality. Ray-Ban’s success lies heavily on their brand reputation and Luxottica’s expansive distribution network. It’s uncertain whether other companies will replicate this accomplishment.
Even though Luxottica plans on producing 10 million units annually, these numbers still pale compared to smartphone sales, indicating gradual adoption. Here’s hoping these devices become a staple in the market as it grows robustly in the coming months.
Other Significant News
Meta’s Alleged Venture into Humanoid Robotics
Bloomberg reports suggest Meta’s Reality Labs, known for its XR headset innovations, is delving into AI-driven humanoid robots designed to manage household tasks. Reality Labs likely aims to harness valuable insights from AR and VR headsets, contributing to training these robots. Despite the intriguing prospects, Meta appears more interested in developing foundational AI systems, sensors, and software for third-party manufacturers rather than building the robots themselves.
I find this direction somewhat puzzling. Given the ongoing challenges Meta faces with XR and mounting financial losses, venturing into a complex and high-risk project seems questionable.
Apple’s Vision Pro to Receive Apple Intelligence
Bloomberg reveals that Apple plans to enhance its Vision Pro headset with Apple Intelligence alongside an improved guest user mode and a spatial content app, potentially releasing a beta version to developers soon. Apple is also in discussions with Tencent and Bytedance to introduce AI within its devices in China.
Incorporating Apple Intelligence into the Vision Pro could significantly elevate Apple’s competitive edge against Google and its Android XR OS. The race among tech giants like Meta, Apple, and Google to innovate faster and better is heating up.
Streamlining Smartglasses Development with AugmentOS
Mentra just unveiled AugmentOS, an app that promises to simplify app development for smartglasses by enabling cross-compatibility across various models. It’s a promising venture given the enthusiasm around smartglass technology, addressing the fragmented ecosystem challenges developers face in terms of application compatibility.
News Highlights
PSVR 2 Experiences a Sales Surge
Thanks to strategic price reductions from $550 to $350, PSVR 2 sales soared fivefold during the 2024 holiday season compared to 2023. Although it hasn’t eclipsed Quest’s sales, these results are noteworthy. Sony’s next steps with their VR headset remain uncertain, but a permanent price cut could be advantageous.
Anduril Takes Helm of the IVAS Project
Palmer Luckey’s defense tech company, Anduril, now spearheads the IVAS project, previously managed by Microsoft, with Microsoft continuing to provide Azure cloud support. The transition suggests potential new directions for military VR headset development under Luckey’s ambitious vision.
Wonderland Cloud: A Dedicated Space for WebXR
The team behind Wonderland Engine has launched Wonderland Cloud, offering hosting tailored for WebXR applications with features like multiplayer support and spatial chat. It exemplifies the growing support systems for WebXR development.
Tech Showdowns: RTX 5090 versus RTX 4090
YouTubers recently conducted a performance comparison of NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 against the RTX 4090 during VR sessions, with the latest model unsurprisingly pulling ahead.
Joining the VR Communities Conversation
Bobby Carlton’s insightful article from a few months back sheds light on the enthusiastic engagement of older adults within VR communities, which often gets overshadowed by Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha’s interests. Predominantly, fitness and social apps appeal most to these seasoned users.
Experience NBA Action with Tabletop VR
Apple Vision Pro’s official NBA app now offers “Tabletop”—a clever miniaturized virtual portrayal of live gameplay. While I find it an incredible complement to typical viewing, it won’t replace the immersive television experience but adds an exciting layer to watching games.
Horizon Store’s Exciting Discounts
The Quest Store is hosting a major sale till February 23, slashing prices on favorites like Among Us VR and LEGO Bricktales.
Hands-On With PSVR 2’s First Hand-Tracked Game
Sony discreetly released PSVR 2’s hand-tracking feature last December, now highlighted in Waltz Of The Wizard’s recent free update. Enhancements through PS5’s powerhouse performance offer an impressive quality in hand-tracking that could even surpass Quest’s capabilities.
Content and Game Releases
Numerous updates and releases highlight the VR gaming landscape. Behemoth has received substantial enhancements with over 700 fixes, while Into The Radius 2 nears its early Quest access in 2025 at $39.99. Meanwhile, Ready At Dawn’s untimely closure before launching a groundbreaking title is a poignant reminder of VR’s fluctuating industry dynamics.
The Week’s Content Updates
Prepare for interactive narratives and enthralling graphics with upcoming titles like The Midnight Walk and Dreams of Another, alongside beloved franchises diving into VR realms, exemplified by Five Nights at Freddy’s new adaptations.
Review Highlights
Stupid Cars delights with its straightforward but engaging mechanics, while TouchDesk empowers creativity through Apple Vision Pro’s detailed finger-drawing capabilities.
Industry Insights
John Carmack’s push for officially recognizing community ports of classics like Doom and Quake highlights ongoing engagement with foundational gaming experiences.
Community and Campaign Updates
Dynamic collaborations include Dbrand’s unique faceplate for Apple Vision Pro, alongside Crytek and Unity’s workforce adjustments, indicative of industry shifts.
Partner News of Interest
Prima Immersive revolutionizes video quality on Apple Vision Pro, and Aviar offers a comprehensive VR training solution for the aviation sector, emphasizing seamless user accessibility.
Humor in XR
Take a lighter glance at XR with humorous takes on Valentine’s Day, VR’s cost, and more, spotlighting the playful side of tech exploration.
Call to Actions for Support
As a final note, I urge contributions toward Ukraine’s humanitarian efforts via the Red Cross. Your support makes a real difference, and I’m grateful for my Patreon supporters. Remember, giving back is the ultimate win for everyone. Thank you for your kindness.
I invite you to immerse yourself in these developments, continue to explore, and delve deeper into the XR world every week. Happy exploring!
