XR Weekly Roundup (December 31, 2024): Meta Quest Issues, New Pimax Headset Launch, and More!

Can you believe it’s the last day of the year already? It’s that time when we all stop and reflect on the year that’s elapsed. I’ve put together a couple of thoughtful pieces sharing my journey in XR throughout 2024. They’re a good read if you haven’t already checked them out. One dives into the XR events I attended, and the other takes stock of the current state of XR—spoiler, it’s a mixed bag of highs and lows. Beyond catching up on what you’ve missed, today is also about celebrating the year’s close with loved ones. Here’s to a fantastic 2025!

Top News of the Week

Meta Quest Headsets Run into Holiday Trouble

This holiday season, Meta’s Quest headsets faced quite a hiccup with the v72 update. Many headsets, especially those lagging on updates, got bricked. Users saw ominous screens declaring corruption and untrustworthiness, just as some unwrapped their new Christmas gifts or planned VR family fun over the holidays. Initially, the situation escalated, with online frustration mounting due to a sluggish response from Meta since it coincided with the holidays. Early attempts to seek help were further hampered as they refused to aid out-of-warranty devices. However, after rising complaints, Meta acknowledged the issue, patched the update, and provided support for affected users. They even offered a free Quest 3S as a replacement for irreparably damaged sets along with Horizon Store credits. Though they eventually managed the incident well, it raises questions about their update timing. Surely, pushing significant updates just before the holiday wasn’t the brightest idea in tech.

More details: Bricked Quest issue | Cursed boot screen | Meta’s updates

Other Relevant News

Pimax Unveils Dream Air Compact Headset

Pimax seems unable to hold back their announcements; they’ve introduced another headset called Dream Air. Unlike their typically bulky designs, this one is compact, targeting a market curious about devices like BigScreen Beyond and Visor. What sets Dream Air apart are features like hand and eye tracking, automatic IPD adjustments, and an intriguing self-tightening strap, promising optimal comfort. Dream Air can also link to an external puck, known as Cobb, making it semi-standalone with its Snapdragon XR2 chip.

For the specifications of Dream Air, according to Road To VR: it boasts micro-OLED displays, 13MP resolution per eye, a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz, and much more, all for an expected price of $1900, launching mid-2025. Reception from the community is mixed. Some applaud the innovation, while others wonder about the frequent launches. An analysis suggests Pimax’s strategy is to swiftly release competitive products that capture community attention. However, whether this will win over the market remains a curious spectacle.

More information: Pimax announces Dream Air | Launch video | Official product page

Meta Plans Enhanced Ray-Ban Meta Glasses

With the success of the Ray-Ban Meta line in 2024, Meta is reportedly working on adding displays to these stylish glasses. This new feature will enable users to see notifications and AI responses directly. While previous reports hinted at logistical disagreements with Luxottica over bulk issues, any collaboration could see these sleek gizmos taking full advantage of Luxottica’s vast distribution, boosting their potential.

More insights: Meta’s next step

Upcoming Announcements at CES

Going into next week, CES, a colossal event in the tech world, is set to feature some exciting XR-related announcements. Sony and NVIDIA are both teasing fresh developments. As it unfolds, rest assured I’ll be reporting firsthand from the event, so stay tuned for exclusive updates.

More info: DPVR at CES | Sony’s keynote | NVIDIA’s reveal

News Worth Mentioning

Meta Horizon App Hits Download Charts

The Meta Horizon companion app has been among the top downloads during the Winter holidays, hitting number one in some app stores globally. For the third consecutive year, this suggests strong sales for Quest headsets—a positive indicator for Meta.

More details: Horizon app success

Preserving Privacy Through Pico’s SecureMR

At a recent event, Pico introduced SecureMR, their innovative solution ensuring user privacy during passthrough analysis. Despite its technical advantage, developers may find the limited access to camera frames challenging. Whether this will be a game-changer or if upcoming Meta APIs might eclipse it remains to be seen.

More insights: Pico’s SecureMR

Magic Leap One’s Imminent Shutdown

Magic Leap has announced a shutdown of their Magic Leap One servers, effectively bricking these once-promising headsets. A heartfelt reminder of a once-hopeful vision gone astray.

More on this: Magic Leap’s demise

Global LiDAR Data Made Accessible

After sharing Tokyo’s point cloud data, a viral tweet revealed similar LiDAR programs worldwide, making geographical data accessible for various tech projects. This data can be pivotal for industries focusing on digital simulations.

Learn more: International LiDAR programs

Road To VR’s Game Awards

Road To VR has revealed its top picks for games this year, with Batman: Arkham Shadow taking the crown for the best Quest game. Discover what other surprises made the list.

Check it out: Road To VR game awards

Fanatical’s VR Game Bundle Offer

Fanatical presents an enticing offer with its new Quest VR Bundle Winter Edition, where you can assemble a collection of VR titles at discounted rates, promising hours of immersive fun.

Explore further: Fanatical’s bundle

Content Updates

Warpfrog’s new project promises a fresh wave of innovation leveraging physics-based interactions. Meanwhile, "Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable" expands with its ‘Complete Edition,’ delighting fans despite mixed critical reviews. Plus, the multiplayer party game "Game Night" teases enjoyable brainy and physical challenges for players.

Detailed insight: More about content

Other News Highlights

Samsung’s XR headset shall feature Google’s Find My Device functionality, and the Quest’s startup animation contains more than meets the eye, consisting of a real-time 3D model instead of a simple video.

Additional learning: Latest from the tech world

Updates from Friends and Partners

As the holiday vibe lingers, I wish you all a warm and wonderful festive season. Share in some holiday magic here.

Fun in XR

A lighthearted look at where AI might be going and the little quirks of tech professionals at social gatherings. Have a laugh at some funny XR world moments and memes crafted by fellow enthusiasts.

Enjoy the humor: Funny XR moments

Donate for a Noble Cause

Instead of seeking support for my blog this time, I urge you to aid those in need, impacted by conflict. Your contributions to the Red Cross can make a difference in the lives of those in Ukraine. The list of amazing supporters who’ve helped me along the way deserve a big thank you, and here’s where you can play your part in global relief efforts:

Donate to support: Red Cross in Ukraine