Hey there, and Happy Lunar New Year to everyone! Here’s hoping the Year of the Snake brings you lots of joy, success, and maybe even a few new XR headsets. If you’re celebrating, I wish you fantastic times with loved ones—and plenty of delicious food to enjoy. 😄 I’ve been crazy busy lately, which explains why this newsletter’s both running a bit late and is a tad more concise than usual. But rest assured, it’s packed with all the essential updates you need about the XR world!
Top News of the Week
Google Snaps Up HTC Vive Engineers for $250M
In a surprising move, Google has invested a significant $250 million to acquire a team of XR engineers from HTC Vive, along with a non-exclusive license on some of HTC’s intellectual property. Although details are scarce, Google has stated these experts will help speed up the development of their Android XR platform for various headsets and glasses. This acquisition allows Google to tap into HTC’s extensive XR knowledge and expedite its own product evolution. While it remains to be seen whether these engineers will work on Android XR or possibly a Google-branded headset, the focus likely remains on advancing Android XR. Google had previously acquired HTC’s design team back in 2017, further indicating some form of ongoing collaboration between the companies. Google’s recent moves suggest a dedicated focus on XR, though big companies often shift direction if market conditions change. Nonetheless, it’s exciting to see Google’s continued interest in immersive technology. As we focus on Google’s actions, let’s not forget HTC. The real question now is: what does this mean for them? Losing senior engineers might imply a strategic shift—perhaps moving towards building for others rather than producing its own headsets. Only time will reveal HTC’s next steps.
For more on this, check out these articles: Road To VR | Upload VR
Other Relevant News
Meta Expands Its Smartglasses Portfolio
After seeing success with their Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Meta is keen to venture further into smartglasses. Reports from Mark Gurman suggest they’re working with EssilorLuxottica to launch new smartglasses under the Oakley brand. These would cater to athletes like cyclists and feature integrated cameras, but won’t include displays—just speakers. There’s also a higher-end model in the works with a display for notifications, and talk of touch-sensitive frames or wrist strap controls. These won’t be for the masses but rather cater to a niche market at about $1000. Not forgetting their initial Ray-Ban Meta series, Meta has plans for fun adverts featuring famous actors during the Super Bowl. As for their ambitious Orion glasses, Meta aims to extend them to more developers by 2026 but doesn’t intend to launch them commercially until a more affordable model, named Artemis, is released in 2027. It’s encouraging to see Meta tackling XR from multiple angles, ranging from VR to smartglasses and AR.
Learn more about these developments: Road To VR | Upload VR | Bloomberg
Meta’s Quest Pro Sequel in the Works
According to Mark Gurman, Meta’s developing both the Quest 4 VR headset and a premium version that could succeed the Quest Pro. This high-end device, rumored as the "Puffin," might feature lightweight MR glasses connected to an external battery. Despite the original Quest Pro’s lackluster performance, it’s logical for Meta to explore higher-end models given market trends leaning towards pricier, sophisticated devices. With better design and functionality, a Quest Pro 2 might carve out success in the enterprise sector.
Samsung and Google Give a Glimpse of Project Moohan
Expectations were high for Samsung’s Unpacked event to unveil new XR projects, but the focus was elsewhere. Highlights included better integration of Gemini AI on Samsung devices, hinting that AI might soon feature prominently across their gadget ecosystem. The Moohan headset was present, albeit for limited viewing behind closed doors, but gave attendees, including influencer Marques Brownlee, a first look. While not revealing much new, these glimpses suggest Samsung and Google are steadily progressing with this promising headset.
Learn more about these XR developments: Samsung Unpacked | MKBHD on YouTube
News Worth a Mention
Meta’s Quest Troubles Explained
Mark Rabkin from Meta outlined why some headsets malfunctioned over Christmas, clarifying it wasn’t because of Meta. Instead, an issue with the Android Open Source Project’s file system caused the trouble. Meta has since fixed the problem and worked with Google to prevent future occurrences.
CM Games Sees Success with Into The Radius 2
CM Games is celebrating impressive numbers with Into The Radius: while the original game sold 800,000 units, the sequel has already grossed $3M in early access on Steam. Building the game with input from the community proves an effective strategy, particularly as collaboration with the Steam community sharpens the game before its wider release, including on Quest.
CREAL’s Breakthrough in Lightfield Displays
CREAL has announced a major step forward by significantly shrinking its lightfield engine. Their advancements mean this technology could soon fit into everyday glasses, presenting AR objects that appear highly realistic.
Quest 3’s Potential for Automatic Room Scanning
Luna reports Meta is tackling mixed reality’s room scanning hassle by making it automatic, promising real-time adaptability and ease for users as room configurations change. Exciting progress!
Our AI-Enhanced Future by Keiichi Matsuda
Keiichi Matsuda, in collaboration with Niantic, has produced an engaging video envisioning our future alongside AI and AR technologies. It’s a delightful look at what might be coming our way, and worth watching for some inspiration.
Content Updates
A round of promising game releases and updates:
- "Fitness Fables" blends fantasy and fitness gameplay, hitting Quest on January 30th for $12.
- "FlatOut VR" aims to capture the best of the FlatOut series.
- "Path of Fury – Episode I: Tetsuo’s Tower," a Kung-Fu inspired VR fighting game, arrives on Quest in March.
- "Elsewhere Electric" combines co-op puzzling with VR and mobile collaboration, releasing this spring.
- "The Smurfs – Flower Defense" brings Smurf fun to Quest 3 in May.
- At last, you can play "Crysis" in VR, thanks to a mod.
Exciting times ahead for VR enthusiasts! Dive into more info on these titles: Fitness Fables | FlatOut VR | Path of Fury | Elsewhere Electric | The Smurfs: Flower Defense
Other News
-
35% of surveyed game developers are involved with XR projects, according to GDC.
-
Students and teachers can now buy Snap Spectacles at half price.
-
Vrgamerdude has examined the Mudra Link neural bracelet.
-
Apple’s new Miami store features a dedicated Vision Pro area.
-
Gabriele Romagnoli reviews the MR apps on Horizon Store.
- CaddieVision introduces AI-powered AR glasses for golfers.
News from Partners and Friends
SkyClimb’s multiplayer mode is now free to play! VRMonkey, an indie studio, has opened access to SkyClimb, a platform adventure with great reviews on Quest. Dive in and enjoy some new VR fun!
Some XR Fun
VR parenting challenges, playing DOOM in a PDF file, surprising VR upgrades, and the "hazards" of VR intimacy—check these out for a laugh!
Donate for Good
Instead of asking for donations to my blog, please consider supporting the Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Every little bit helps those in need. Here’s the link to donate:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
A massive thanks to all the patrons supporting my work—your help is invaluable:
- Alex Gonzalez VR
- DeoVR
- GenVR
- Eduardo Siman
- Jonn Fredericks
- And many more talented individuals…
Thank you for making a difference!
