XR Week Snapshot (2025.01.21): Ongoing XR Trends, Windows 11 Ends WMR Support, and More!

Experiencing the infamous "CES sickness" is all too real, and unfortunately, it doesn’t just vanish once the CES ends. However, my drive to keep you updated trumps this nagging cold. So, here’s a compilation of XR news that I’m sure you’ll find interesting!

Top News of the Week:

The Continuing Slowdown in XR:

Sadly, it’s not the greatest time for immersive technology enthusiasts right now. The market’s hit a plateau, making it a tough space to thrive in. While we’re all hopeful that AR/VR will prove crucial down the line, they’re still quite a niche interest presently. I previously covered this topic, diving into the current state of affairs in this industry.

This week, several updates seemed to reinforce my earlier observations:

• The creators behind PowerWash Simulator VR have halted game updates just 14 months post-launch due to higher development costs than what the game’s revenue can cover.

• Soul Assembly, known for titles like Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, has had to let go of 15% of its workforce.

• Data from Omdia and Sensor Tower showed that Meta Horizon app downloads dropped by 27% on Christmas Day 2024 versus 2023. WR market slumped by 4% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 2023.

• Former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida expressed regret about his overestimation of the PS VR2’s success.

• The beloved F.Reality podcast concluded its run after seven influential years.

Given all this, Blair Renaud, the developer of LOW-FI, took to social media to express his frustrations and anxiety about the future. He’s certainly not the first, nor will he be the last, to feel stranded in these uncertain waters.

Nevertheless, there are silver linings:

• A Forbes article celebrated how the younger generation appreciates the metaverse more than traditional social media platforms.

• Counterpoint reports indicate that Apple’s Vision Pro has surpassed shipment expectations globally, aligning closely with Apple’s original predictions.

• Beat Saber is on the cusp of hitting the milestone of 10 million sales on Quest alone.

Overall, it’s clear that the next few years could be challenging. My recent trip to CES didn’t reveal any groundbreaking tech shifts for AR/VR, barring some promising smart glasses. Even though I’ve shared positive bits here, it’s a call for patience and resilience. We’re in for the long haul, and survival is key until we see things turn around.

Other Noteworthy News:

Microsoft’s Enforced Windows 11 24H2 Update:

For those trying to dodge the infamous Windows 11 24H2 update, it’s about to get rougher. Microsoft is beginning to push this update across machines within its update scope, like the Home editions. Why does this matter to the XR community? Unfortunately, this update ditches Mixed Reality support, essentially rendering Windows Mixed Reality headsets useless. Users clinging to their WMR devices have delayed the update as long as possible, but the inevitable is approaching. Enterprise systems and Pro versions may still keep the update at bay for now, but it’s a hard sell with the Home edition. My thoughts go out to everyone moving on from their WMR gear.

ASUS Unveils Trailer for AirVision M1 Glasses:

ASUS has just dropped a sleek new trailer for their AirVision M1 smart glasses. Although not a brand-new entry (getting attention since CES 2024), this caught my eye and was worth mentioning. These 3DOF glasses offer a virtual screen setup at 1100 nits of brightness, and 60% lens transparency, and include built-in speakers. They’re compatible with Windows PCs and Rog Ally handhelds, weighing in at just 87 grams. The cost? $700, slightly pricier than XREAL One Pro’s $600.

Mentions That Deserve Attention:

Palmer Luckey’s Exciting Tease:

In a reply to Blair Renaud’s social media post, Palmer Luckey hinted at an upcoming announcement. Could it be the military-focused VR headset teased at AWE or perhaps the much-discussed Quest Pro perfection? Either way, I’m eager to see where this leads!

Somnium Space’s Headset Price Hike:

Faced with manufacturing challenges, Somnium Space is increasing its headset prices by €5–700. The revised prices are as follows:

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

Meta’s Red MicroLED Breakthrough:

In collaboration with Plessey, Meta has revealed what they tout as the world’s brightest red microLED display for AR glasses, achieving 6M nits with minimal power use. This paves the way for more efficient AR glasses suitable for outdoor use. Accomplishing this with red (historically less efficient than blue and green) is a game-changer, marking a significant leap for AR tech.

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Aid Chess Players:

Developers Caden Li and Eddy Xu have harnessed Ray-Ban Meta glasses to upgrade chess playing. The glasses’ camera captures the board, relaying it to AI for move suggestions communicated via built-in speakers. This collaboration of smart glasses and AI shows thrilling potential for enhancing everyday tasks.

VR Paves Jayden Daniels’ Road to Fame:

Jayden Daniels, the NFL quarterback who propelled the Washington Commanders to playoff victory, credited VR for honing his skills. This highlights VR’s effectiveness in training and performance amplification.

Content Updates & Reviews:

• "GRIM," a Rust-inspired survival game, and TableCraft’s creative sandbox are now in early access.

• "Lovesick," a VR puzzle game, will soon hit the Meta Quest.

• "Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon" is launching on Meta Quest and Steam.

• Although its studio closed, "Firewall Ultra" for PSVR 2 surprisingly received updates.

• For more XR news nuggets, check out Upload’s XR News Round-Up.

Content Reviews:

• "Iron Rebellion" nails the mech emulation experience.

• "Arken Age" delivers an engaging adventure with rewarding gameplay.

• "Assetto Corsa EVO" launches with room for improvement.

• "The Thrill Of The Fight 2" explores an engaging boxing multiplayer landscape.

• "Human Within" illustrates the complexities of branching stories.

Other News:

Meta upset users by removing the achievement-view feature within headsets. The quirky fact of the week revolves around the Quest 3S LED. Confusion surrounds the Visor headset’s situation amid enthusiastic reviews and Discord bans for release inquiries. Michael Gschwandtner has fun experimenting with AR glasses linked to his Nintendo Switch.

Partner News:

Join the Musical Metaverse Workshop! Happening during the IEEE International Symposium on the Internet of Sounds in Italy, from October 29-31, this workshop welcomes academia and industry to explore Musical XR and networked interactions. There’s a call for papers, so share your work if you’re working on similar themes!

XR Fun:

• Meta Hardware vs. Software
• Hilarious Business Description in XR
• New QA Test for Future Quest Devices

Donation Request:

Like last time, I’m urging you to extend your kindness towards those affected by the ongoing war. Please consider contributing to the Red Cross’s Ukraine efforts. Immense gratitude to my Patreon supporters for their continued backing!

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(Header image derived from a Microsoft image)

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