The XR Weekly Roundup (January 29, 2025): Google Acquires HTC Engineers, Meta to Launch Oakley Smartglasses, and More!

Hey there! Wishing you all a fantastic Lunar New Year! As we usher in the Year of the Snake, may it shower you with joy, success, wealth, love, and maybe even a few XR headsets! If you’re celebrating, I hope you’re surrounded by loved ones and indulging in some delicious food. 😊 I’m knee-deep in work, so this newsletter is dropping a bit later and shorter than usual. But fret not, it still brings you all the crucial updates from the XR world!

Top Stories of the Week

Google’s $250M Acquisition of HTC Vive’s XR Engineers

In a surprise move, Google has snapped up some XR engineers from HTC Vive, alongside non-exclusive rights to certain HTC intellectual properties, for a notable $250 million. The specifics are still under wraps—Google simply commented on plans to leverage these new talents to "speed up the development of the Android XR platform" across various headsets and glasses. Clearly, Google aims to boost its XR products with the expertise of seasoned HTC engineers. While it’s uncertain whether this will lead to developments in Android XR or a Google-branded headset, my bet is on the Android XR. This isn’t Google’s first rodeo with HTC; they grabbed the HTC design team in 2017 for around $1.1 billion, signaling an ongoing collaboration between the companies. Such a significant acquisition underscores Google’s commitment to advancing in the XR domain. However, one can’t help but wonder what this means for HTC. Losing such a talented group of engineers could signal a pivot in their strategy, perhaps towards producing headsets for others or scaling back on their own releases. Much remains to be seen from a company that once led the VR market.

For additional details, check out the coverage on Road To VR and Upload VR, as well as Google’s statement about its XR ambitions.

More Noteworthy News

Meta’s Continued Journey with Smartglasses

Following the success of its Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Meta seems to be doubling down on the smartglasses trend. Mark Gurman’s report suggests Meta is collaborating with EssilorLuxottica to release new smartglasses under the Oakley brand this year. Tailored for cyclists and athletes, the Oakleys will feature a centered camera and integrated speakers—no display, though. But that’s not all; a high-end model is purportedly in the works, offering a small display for notifications. This advanced pair could feature touch-sensitive frames or wrist strap controls—similar to what’s been tested with Meta’s Orion AR prototype. With a price point likely around $1,000, these glasses seem targeted at the prosumer market. Meanwhile, Meta isn’t neglecting its original Ray-Ban Meta line, gearing up for flashy Superbowl commercials starring Hollywood figures. As for Orion, more developers might receive them by 2026, with a cheaper version, codenamed Artemis, expected in 2027. Meta’s investments in VR/MR, AR, and smartglasses reflect an all-encompassing approach to XR.

Check out more about Meta’s plans on Road To VR, Bloomberg, and Upload VR, and get ready for their Superbowl ad showcasing Ray-Ban Meta.

Meta’s Quest Pro Successor in the Works

Rumor has it Meta isn’t finished with its Quest lineup just yet. Mark Gurman claims Quest 4 VR glasses, alongside a premium model possibly replacing Quest Pro, are both in development. This so-called "Puffin" headset is marketed as lightweight mixed-reality glasses connected to an external battery. Despite Quest Pro’s flop, Meta’s high-end endeavors aim to compete with brands like Vision Pro and Project Moohan. A properly-executed Quest Pro 2 could certainly carve out a niche in the enterprise sector. Let’s hope lessons learned translate into a device that meets market expectations this time around.

Sneak Peek at Samsung and Google’s Moohan

Fans tuning into Samsung’s Unpacked event hoping for big XR news might have been disappointed, but there were some insights to glean. First off, Google and Samsung demonstrated better Gemini AI integration for Samsung devices, indicating AI features in Moohan headsets might roll out across their products soon. Secondly, the event showcased the Moohan headset, although detailed demos were conducted privately. YouTube sensation Marques Brownlee got a firsthand experience, offering a fresh look at the device and revealing the operating system’s Vision Pro inspirations. Incrementally, Samsung and Google seem poised to unveil more about this promising headset.

For more insights, check out Marques Brownlee’s experience and learn about Samsung’s broader AI integrations at Unpacked.

Quick Mentions

• Mark Rabkin from Meta provided clarity on the holiday headset bricking incident, attributing it to a bug within Android Open Source Project (AOSP), now resolved.
• CM Games’ "Into The Radius 2" has grossed $3 million in early access, building on community feedback for refinement.
• CREAL’s miniature lightfield engine marks a step closer to realistic AR displays fitting traditional eyewear.
• Luna suggests Meta might introduce automatic room scanning for Quest 3, reducing setup friction for mixed reality experiences.
• Keiichi Matsuda and Niantic’s video envisions a future with AR and AI agents—a must-watch for inspiration!

Content Spotlight

• Fitness Fables blends VR fitness with fantasy action, launching on Quest soon.
• FlatOut VR merges popular elements from various FlatOut titles.
• "Path of Fury—Episode I: Tetsuo’s Tower" brings Kung-Fu inspired VR combat to Quest.
• Elsewhere Electric is set for a spring/summer release, offering cooperative VR and mobile puzzle-solving.
• The Smurfs arrive on Quest 3 in May with VR and mixed-reality gameplay.
• Crysis now playable in VR thanks to a dedicated mod.

For more information, explore news on upcoming releases and mods enhancing your gaming experience!

Additional News

• GDC survey reveals 35% of game developers are engaging with XR.
• Snap Spectacles are now half-off for students and teachers.
• Vrgamerdude tested out Mudra Link, a neural bracelet.
• The new Apple Store in Miami highlights Vision Pro.
• CaddieVision’s AI-powered AR glasses enhance golfing experiences.

Community & Partnerships

VRMonkey has made SkyClimb’s multiplayer mode free. If you’re into arm-based locomotion games like Gorilla Tag, give SkyClimb a whirl—it’s well-reviewed on Quest!

Fun in XR

• Navigating parenthood gets real with a VR-loving kid.
• Playing DOOM inside a PDF? It’s a thing now!
• The ultimate VR upgrade might be simpler than you think.
• The potential pitfalls of VR romance…
• Keeping your VR space clutter-free has its perks.

Get Involved

This week, I’m not asking for donations for my blog, but rather urging support for those impacted by the war in Ukraine. Consider donating to the Red Cross to aid the humanitarian crisis there. Massive thanks to all my Patreon supporters—you keep this going!

To support the Red Cross in Ukraine, follow the link below.

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Happy exploring!