I can attest to the infamous CES sickness; unfortunately, it seems to linger even after CES concludes. However, my determination to keep you well-informed wins over this pesky cold. So, without further ado, here’s a fantastic roundup of XR news that’s sure to pique your interest!
Top News of the Week
The Current XR Landscape
Let’s face it, it’s not the rosiest time for immersive realities right now. The market seems to be in a holding pattern, making it tough for businesses. Though we know AR and VR are set to be game-changers in the future, for now, they’re still in the niche category. I’ve delved into this in a previous piece, assessing where everything stands at the moment.
This week, several developments reinforced my current outlook:
- The developers of PowerWash Simulator VR announced they’re halting updates merely 14 months after launch due to development costs outweighing revenue.
- Soul Assembly, known for Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, is letting go of 15% of its workforce.
- Analysis from Omdia and Sensor Tower highlights a 27% drop in downloads for the Meta Horizon app on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year. This suggests fewer VR-related holiday purchases, possibly due to the lack of motivation for Quest 2 owners to upgrade.
- Research from Counterpoint shows a 4% dip in the global VR market in Q3 2024 compared to the same timeframe the previous year.
- Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida expressed regret over his predictions for PS VR2.
- After a stellar seven-year run, the F.Reality podcast has called it a day.
Blair Renaud, the mind behind LOW-FI, took to X to voice his concerns about the current state of the industry and the uncertainty surrounding its future. He’s not alone in this sentiment; many developers feel like they’re cast adrift without direction.
Thankfully, amidst the gloom, some glimmers of hope emerged:
- An article on Forbes emphasized how the younger demographic is turning to the metaverse as a preferred social platform over traditional social media.
- The Apple Vision Pro saw more international shipments than IDC initially estimated, suggesting Apple’s sales predictions might align with actual sales if these shipments equal sales.
- Beat Saber is on the verge of selling 10 million copies on Quest alone.
Realistically, we need to brace ourselves for the tough years ahead. CES offered little to suggest any major shifts in AR/VR trends, barring smartglasses. The positive snippets added here are to illustrate that hope is not lost. While challenging times lie ahead, patience and perseverance will see us through.
Other Relevant News
Windows 11 Update: A Blow to Mixed Reality
Microsoft has begun forcing the 24H2 update for Windows 11. Those who’ve resisted will find themselves out of options now. The update is transforming Windows Mixed Reality headsets into mere paperweights by removing support. Though workaround options exist for pro versions or enterprise setups, regular Home version users have a harder task ahead. To those holding onto WMR devices, stay strong.
ASUS Unveils AirVision M1 Glasses Trailer
ASUS has released a fresh trailer for its AirVision M1 smart glasses. Although not unfamiliar to followers (surfacing around CES 2024), these 3DOF glasses offer a virtual screen, boasting 1100 nits brightness and TÜV Rheinland certification. Weighing just 87g and priced at $700, they’re a tad more expensive than the XREAL One Pro yet remain intriguing.
News in Brief
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Palmer Luckey’s Upcoming Reveal: Responding to Blair Renaud’s post on X, Luckey hinted at an imminent VR-related announcement. Whether it’s the military VR headset teased at AWE or something altogether different, anticipation is mounting.
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Somnium Space Price Hike: Due to manufacturing complexities, Somnium Space raised its headset prices significantly. Updated prices put the Somnium VR1 Visionary Edition at €3000 + VAT.
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Meta’s MicroLED Breakthrough: Meta and Plessey introduce the "world’s brightest" red microLED display for AR glasses, crucial for outdoor visibility.
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Ray-Ban Meta and Chess: Innovators Caden Li and Eddy Xu used Ray-Ban Meta glasses to provide strategic chess advantages by feeding board imagery to an AI, demonstrating smart glasses’ potential when paired with AI.
- Jayden Daniels’ VR Training: Washington Commanders’ NFL playoff triumphs are partly credited to Jayden Daniels’ VR training regimen, showcasing VR’s prowess as a training tool.
In the world of gaming, these snippets and upcoming innovations open up numerous possibilities. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the XR landscape!
