XR Weekly Overview (January 21, 2025): Ongoing XR Developments, Windows 11 Affects WMR, and More!

I’ve experienced firsthand that the post-CES blues, or "CES sickness," is indeed real and doesn’t magically vanish with the conclusion of the event. Despite nursing a cold, my enthusiasm to bring you some exciting XR news remains undeterred. So, let’s dive into some stories that are sure to pique your interest!

Top News of the Week

Immersive Realities’ Challenging Autumn

Right now, the world of immersive technologies isn’t exactly booming. The market feels stagnant, and turning a profit is a struggle. We all believe that AR/VR will be significant down the line, yet at present, they remain somewhat niche. I’ve covered these challenges previously, discussing the state of our industry.

This week, several developments validated my earlier opinions:

• The team behind PowerWash Simulator VR decided to halt updates just 14 months after its debut, citing development costs outstripping revenue.
• Soul Assembly, known for Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, announced a 15% reduction in their workforce.
• Research by Omdia and Sensor Tower showed a 27% decline in Meta Horizon app downloads on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year. This indicates a downturn in holiday VR sales, possibly because Quest 2 users saw little incentive to upgrade.
• Counterpoint Research noted a 4% contraction in the global VR market in Q3 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
• Former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida apologized for being overly optimistic about PS VR2.
• Finally, after a distinguished seven-year run, the F.Reality podcast has ended.

Apparently frustrated by the current climate, developer Blair Renaud of LOW-FI shared his concerns on X. His sentiment of uncertainty resonates with many developers feeling adrift.

While things look bleak, there’s a glimmer of hope with some positive updates:

• An article on Forbes praised the metaverse as a preferred social platform for younger generations over traditional social media.
• Counterpoint’s analysis highlighted that Apple Vision Pro shipments exceeded initial IDC estimates, especially internationally. If shipments align with sales, Apple’s forecasts appear on target.
• Beat Saber seems poised to reach 10 million sales on Quest soon.

It’s crucial for us to recognize that the road ahead could be tough for a couple of years. CES didn’t present any breakthroughs that suggest a turn in AR/VR tech trends, apart from smartglasses. I’ve included some positive news to highlight that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, though patience is necessary. For now, our goal is to persevere.

More info: [My analysis of XR in 2024] / [Powerwash Simulator’s development end] / [Soul Assembly’s layoffs] / [Omdia’s Quest sales analysis – Road To VR & LinkedIn] / [Counterpoint Research on XR market] / [Shuhei Yoshida’s apology] / [F.Reality’s closure] / [Blair Renaud’s comments] / [Forbes’ metaverse article] / [Apple Vision Pro sales] / [Beat Saber’s anticipated milestone]

Other Significant News

Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 Update

For all those who’ve sidestepped the Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft is now enforcing it on machines they control, such as Home versions of the OS. This matters for XR enthusiasts because the update removes Mixed Reality support from Windows 11, rendering Windows Mixed Reality headsets obsolete. Users have delayed this as much as possible, but it’s now nearly impossible to avoid. There are potential ways around it for Pro versions or enterprise setups, but it’s a challenge for Home edition users. My thoughts go out to those with soon-to-be redundant WMR hardware.

ASUS Unveils AirVision M1 Glasses Trailer

ASUS has dropped a new trailer for its AirVision M1 smart glasses. While they aren’t brand-new (they were mentioned at CES 2024), they recently caught my interest. These 3DOF glasses offer a virtual screen in front of you, boasting 1100 nits of brightness, 60% lens transparency, TÜV Rheinland certification, and built-in audio. They’re compatible with Windows PCs and Rog Ally handhelds and weigh just 87g. Their companion app enables a virtual multi-screen setup for your computer. Retailing at $700, they’re slightly pricier than the $600 XREAL One Pro.

More info: [ASUS AirVision M1 trailer] / [ASUS AirVision M1 shop page]

Spotlight News

Palmer Luckey Teases Big Announcement

Responding to Blair Renaud’s post, Palmer Luckey hinted, "Wait till you see what I am announcing in a few weeks and see if you still think I am out of the game." This indicates he has something VR-related up his sleeve, possibly the military-targeted VR headset he previously teased at AWE. Whatever it is, my curiosity is piqued.

Somnium Space’s New Headset Pricing

Faced with manufacturing complexities, Somnium Space has increased its headset prices by €5–700. The updated costs are:

• Somnium VR1 Visionary Edition: €3000 + VAT
• Somnium VR1 Titan Edition: €3400 + VAT
• Somnium VR1 Ultimate Edition: €4300 + VAT

More info

Meta’s High-Efficiency Red MicroLED

Meta and Plessey have unveiled what they claim to be "the world’s brightest" red microLED display for AR glasses, boasting 6M nits with minimal power consumption. This is crucial for AR eyewear designed for outdoor use. Achieving this with a red display is particularly noteworthy since blue and green are usually more efficient and luminous.

More info

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses for Chess

Innovative developers Caden Li and Eddy Xu utilized Ray-Ban Meta glasses to enhance chess play. The glasses’ camera streams the chessboard to an AI that provides move suggestions through in-built speakers, allowing players to compete at a master level. This demo exemplifies smart glasses’ potential when combined with AI. We need open, programmable smart glasses to enable more innovations like this!

More info: [Video of the solution] / [Developers advocating for open smartglasses]

Jayden Daniels: A VR-Enhanced Sports Star

Quarterback Jayden Daniels recently made headlines after leading the Washington Commanders to their first NFL playoff victory since 2006. He revealed he uses VR headsets for daily training, further proving VR’s effectiveness as a training tool.

More info

Gaming Content Updates

Several new VR games and updates are making waves:

• GRIM, inspired by Rust, is now in early access on Quest and SteamVR.
• Tablecraft introduces a free "mad science" VR sandbox on Quest, letting players experiment with chemistry.
• Lovesick, a puzzle game centered on a burnout bassist, hits Meta Quest on March 6.
• Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon lands on Meta Quest on February 6, with a Steam release in spring.
• Despite its developers shutting down, Firewall Ultra on PSVR 2 received an unexpected update.

More info: [GRIM] / [Tablecraft] / [Lovesick] / [Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon] / [Firewall Ultra] / [XR News Round-Up]

Reviews of Gaming Content

Here are some reviews you might find interesting:

• Upload lauded Iron Rebellion’s mech simulation for its balance between usability and feeling like you’re piloting a clunky mech.
• Arken Age offers a game with vivid visuals and rewarding combat.
• Despite launching in Early Access, Assetto Corsa EVO is still riddled with issues.
• The Thrill Of The Fight 2 provides an interesting multiplayer boxing experience.
• Human Within struggles with branching storyline execution.

More info: [Iron Rebellion] / [Arken Age] / [Assetto Corsa EVO] / [The Thrill Of The Fight 2] / [Human Within]

Additional Tidbits

• Meta removed the achievement viewing feature in headsets, upsetting users and developers.
• Discover an unusual fact about the Quest 3S’s camera LED.
• The Visor headset’s hype continues amid uncertainty, with reviews raving and Discord users banned for asking questions.
• Michael Gschwandtner is creatively developing affordable AR glasses for his Nintendo Switch.

Learn more

Partner and Community News

Consider attending a workshop on the musical metaverse at the IEEE International Symposium on the Internet of Sounds in L’Aquila, Italy, from October 29 to 31. This event aims to bring together academics and industry experts to explore Musical XR and networking systems, along with immersive human perception. A call for papers is currently open, inviting submissions from those working on related topics like "Musical XR systems" or "Digital twins for musical applications." Don’t miss this chance to connect with others in your field!

Learn more

Some XR Humor

• Meta hardware vs Meta software: a lighthearted comparison
• A humorous take on the XR business landscape
• A fun QA test suggestion for future Quest devices

Make a Difference

This week, rather than asking for support for my blog, I urge you to consider donating to the Red Cross to help those facing the impact of conflict in Ukraine. Your contribution can make a significant difference. I’ll leave the link below for your convenience. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all my Patreon supporters for their continued generosity:

List of supporters

Here’s where you can donate:

[Support The Red Cross in Ukraine]

(Header image adapted from a Microsoft image)

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