Hello everyone, and a very Happy Lunar New Year! I hope the Year of the Snake ushers in loads of joy, success, prosperity, and love for you all. Don’t forget to take some time off work to spend with loved ones (and enjoy some delicious food) if you’re celebrating! While I’ve been juggling quite a bit of work lately, I’m thrilled to bring you this slightly condensed but still fully-loaded recap of the most significant happenings in XR this week.
Headline News
Google’s $250M Acquisition of HTC Vive Engineers
In a move that caught many off guard, Google has scooped up a team of engineers from HTC Vive, along with a non-exclusive license for some of their intellectual property, all for a cool $250 million. While Google is tight-lipped about the specifics, they mentioned enhancing the Android XR platform across headsets and glasses ecosystems. It’s a strategic step for Google, leveraging HTC’s XR expertise to hasten their product development. Whether this will lead to improvements in Android XR or the potential for a new Google headset remains to be seen, but my money’s on the first scenario. This marks another instance of Google tapping into HTC’s talent pool, harking back to a similar acquisition in 2017. The investment showcases Google’s commitment to bolstering its XR ventures. However, given the volatile nature of big corporations, promising today doesn’t guarantee tomorrow. Still, at this moment, Google is clearly invested in the potential of immersive technologies, which is promising albeit cautiously optimistic. Meanwhile, a genuine curiosity lingers about how HTC will adapt—is a strategic pivot on the horizon, perhaps?
Find out more through Road To VR and Upload VR.
More Significant Developments
Meta’s Expanding Smartglasses Portfolio
Meta seems to be doubling down on its smartglasses endeavors, spurred on by the Ray-Ban Meta glasses’ reception. As per Mark Gurman, Meta is collaborating with EssilorLuxottica to roll out new Oakley brand smartglasses this year, aimed chiefly at athletes. These will feature a central camera and built-in speakers, minus a display. Additionally, there are whispers of a pricier model with a display for notifications and cutting-edge input methods like touch frames and wrist strap controls. Set at around $1,000, these smartglasses are clearly aimed at tech-savvy prosumers. Meanwhile, the company isn’t letting the Ray-Ban line fade out, with exciting Super Bowl advertisements being planned. Meta’s overarching XR strategy, spanning VR, MR, and AR, is as robust as ever.
Get more details from Road To VR and Upload VR, or check out Bloomberg for the original insights.
Meta’s Quest Pro Successor in the Works
Mark Gurman again reports Meta’s development of the Quest 4 VR goggles and a high-end successor to the Quest Pro mixed-reality headset. This high-end version, potentially codenamed “Puffin,” reportedly involves lightweight MR glasses linked to an external battery. Despite the Quest Pro’s commercial challenges, Meta seems intent on staying competitive, especially with other brands venturing into high-priced device territories. A well-thought-out Quest Pro 2 could well carve its niche, especially in the enterprise arena.
Samsung and Google Tease Project Moohan
While big XR announcements were anticipated at Samsung Unpacked, the expected AR glasses reveal fell through. However, there are still noteworthy updates. Google and Samsung showcased enhanced AI integration within Samsung phones, hinting at potential synergies across devices. Notably, Project Moohan, a collaborative AR headset, was on show, albeit mostly behind closed doors. Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee got a first look, providing a glimpse into what looks like a Vision Pro-inspired design and a VisionOS-esque system. Bit by bit, more is being divulged about this intriguing device.
Explore more from Samsung Unpacked and see MKBHD’s take.
Highlighted Briefs
Meta Addresses Quest Headset Glitches
Meta’s VP of VR/MR, Mark Rabkin, shed some light on mysterious bricking of many headsets during the holiday season, attributing it to a not-so-obvious bug in the Android Open Source Project. The culprit was a tricky race condition in the AOSP R/W ext4 filesystem coupled with a security patch that blocked OS rollback. Meta diagnosed and patched the bug, alerting Google to make system-wide adjustments.
Impressive Earnings for CM Games’ Into The Radius 2
CM Games has disclosed stellar sales numbers for its VR title "Into The Radius". With the first edition selling 800,000 copies, the sequel, in early access on Steam, has already grossed $3M. This success stems from active collaboration with the engaged Steam community, which helps refine the game ahead of broader Quest launches.
For more, check out additional sales figures.
CREAL’s Breakthrough in Miniaturized Lightfield Tech
CREAL has made strides with its lightfield engine technology, stepping closer to incorporating it into traditional glasses designs. This advancement pushes the envelope in making realistic AR displays feasible in wearable devices. Just six or seven years ago, their tech was housed in a sizeable box. The reduction in size is truly impressive.
Explore further details.
Quest 3 Rumored to Enhance Room Scanning
The rumor mill, fueled by Luna, suggests Meta is striving to simplify the room-scanning process for mixed reality. Currently, setting up MR necessitates a static preliminary scan, problematic if you move furniture around. Meta aims to automate room scanning and adapt to real-time layout changes, an exciting development to minimize user hassle.
Find out more.
Reflecting on Our Future with AI
Visionary creator Keiichi Matsuda, in collaboration with Niantic, has released a thought-provoking video envisioning a future intertwined with augmented reality and AI agents. It’s a delightful, insight-rich short film, and if you’re into futuristic musings, it’s definitely worth your time.
Check out the video.
Insights into Gaming Content
- Fitness Fables: This intriguing blend of fantasy action and VR fitness hits the Quest on January 30 at $12.
- FlatOut VR: Promises to combine beloved elements from the FlatOut series.
- Path of Fury – Episode I: Tetsuo’s Tower: A kung-fu inspired VR fighter launching on Quest, March 12.
- Elsewhere Electric: A co-op puzzle game set for Quest and PC VR. The exciting gameplay features a mix of VR and mobile exploration.
- The Smurfs – Flower Defense: Known for its whimsical characters, the Smurfs crossover into VR strategy on Quest 3 in May.
- Crysis in VR: Thanks to a mod, you can now experience Crysis in VR, bringing it to life in an exciting new dimension!
Delve deeper or grab your favorite game.
More Industry Updates
- A Game Developer Conference survey reveals that 35% of game developers are engaging with XR in some way.
- Access more background here.
- Snap Spectacles offer half-price discounts for students and teachers.
- Experience Vrgamerdude’s review of the Mudra Link neural bracelet.
- The Miami Apple Store now includes a dedicated area for the Vision Pro.
- Immerse in Gabriele Romagnoli’s analysis of Horizon Store’s MR apps.
- CaddieVision unveils AI-enhanced AR glasses for golf enthusiasts.
Updates from Friends and Partners
SkyClimb, by VRMonkey, now offers its multiplayer mode for free. It’s a popular arm-based locomotion platformer garnering good reviews on Quest. Interested players should definitely give it a whirl!
Give it a go!
Wrapping Up with Humor
We’ve rounded up some fun XR tidbits just for you:
- Parenting a VR-loving child presents unique challenges…
- Ever played DOOM in a PDF? It’s wild!
- Enhance your VR experience beyond typical tech gadgets…
- The unexplored realms of VR romance…
- Keeping rooms clear enhances VR play.
Support a Good Cause
As we close, I refuse to ask for donations for my blog this week. Instead, I urge everyone to consider aiding the war-hit communities by contributing to the Red Cross’s efforts in Ukraine. Here’s how you can help:
A shoutout to all my generous Patreon donors for their ongoing support:
- [List of donors]
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Here’s the link for donations again:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
Thank you for reading, and until next time, keep exploring the potential of XR!
