This Week in XR (Feb 18, 2025): Ray-Ban Meta Sells 2 Million Devices, Meta Explores Humanoid Robots, and More!

I’ve just returned to Italy, feeling both exhausted and elated. I trust you enjoyed Valentine’s Day with your loved ones and that things are looking bright on your end as well. What’s got me particularly upbeat? My article on Android XR’s camera frame permissions got highlighted by major publications like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority! It’s quite thrilling to enjoy a little moment in the spotlight. Now, riding on this wave of joy, let’s dive into the most exciting XR news from the week!

Top News of the Week

Ray-Ban Meta Sold 2 Million Devices

EssilorLuxottica’s CEO, Francesco Milleri, during the company’s Q4 2024 earnings call, sang praises for the success of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, reporting sales of 2 million units. This aligns with some whispers I’d caught from members of the supply chain earlier. The impressive sales figures and user retention highlight the glasses as a hit product. Consequently, Luxottica plans to ramp up production to over 10 million units annually by the close of 2026.

This success story has stirred up quite the buzz around smartglasses. While at CES, I noticed a slew of startups unveiling AI-powered smartglasses, and there are rumors that titans like Apple and Samsung are developing their own versions. But let’s keep a grounded perspective here. Ray-Ban’s triumph largely stems from its brand strength and Luxottica’s extensive distribution network, not just Meta’s involvement. Other tech brands might not replicate these successes so easily.

Looking at the numbers, Luxottica’s 10M production target is a strong figure but doesn’t yet rival smartphone sales, hinting that adoption of these devices remains gradual. Though I would love to see them thrive, continual market growth is the true test that lies ahead.

Meta is Allegedly Working on Humanoid Robots

A recent Bloomberg report suggests that Meta’s Reality Labs—known for its work on XR headsets—is developing humanoid robots. These bots, powered by AI, could potentially tackle everyday chores around your house. The data gathered from AR and VR headsets, along with the Project Aria glasses, could be pivotal in training these robots.

Curiously, Meta doesn’t aim to manufacture these robots itself, likely a nod to the headaches it encountered within the hardware space through XR glasses. Instead, Meta intends to craft the foundational AI systems and sensors for others to use in production. I confess, I’m puzzled by this move. With the ongoing turmoil Meta faces with XR developments and staggering quarterly losses, venturing into another high-cost, uncertain tech arena feels like a bold leap.

Apple is Planning to Bring Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro

Bloomberg also reports Apple is gearing up to introduce Apple Intelligence to its Vision Pro headsets, alongside updates for guest mode and a spatial content app as soon as April. These could debut in a beta version for developers quickly, paired with Apple’s hunt for a partner to boost AI in China, where Tencent and Bytedance appear to be in the mix. Integrating Apple Intelligence could significantly bolster Vision Pro’s appeal, especially as it must stand toe-to-toe with Google’s merger with Gemini on Android XR.

The relentless competition among giants like Meta, Apple, and Google means everyone’s hustling to refine their products at a breakneck pace.

AugmentOS Wants to Streamline Development for Smartglasses

Mentra’s introduction of AugmentOS is noteworthy, offering a smartphone app platform aimed at harmonizing app development for smartglasses. Its attraction is crafting a single app (using the AugmentOS SDK) that seamlessly operates across diverse smartglasses models. Mentra has already embraced Vuzix, integrating AugmentOS capabilities on devices like the Vuzix Z100, Even Realities G1, and Mentra Mach1. Strangely though, while they claimed support for Ray-Ban Meta, this wasn’t reflected on their official list.

I find this venture quite promising given the current fragmentation in smartglasses app development. Typically, solutions are tethered to specific devices, limiting the scope drastically. AugmentOS aims to neutralize these boundaries, enabling cross-compatibility amongst various smartglasses models. Although it’s early days for adoption rates, it’s undoubtedly a promising stride forward.

News Worth a Mention

PSVR 2’s Impressive Holiday Sales Figures

Slashing prices from $550 to $350 last year gave PSVR 2 sales a substantial lift. The sales chart on Amazon US showcases a fivefold surge in 2024 holiday season sales compared to 2023. While still dwarfed by Quest’s numbers, it’s a promising sign, and persistent price cuts could strategically benefit Sony’s venture.

Anduril Takes Over the IVAS Project

Defense tech firm Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey, has assumed control of the IVAS project, previously managed by Microsoft. Though Microsoft continues supplying Azure cloud support, Anduril will now provide all hardware and software. Luckey, who hinted at developing military headset gear, seems poised to fulfill specific gaps the erstwhile HoloLens couldn’t.

Wonderland Cloud Offers Specialized Hosting for WebXR Applications

Create Worlds—creators behind Wonderland Engine—are launching Wonderland Cloud, built to cater specifically to WebXR applications. The cloud services don’t only host these applications, but also facilitate multiplayer setups and spatialized voice chat, somewhat democratizing the development of WebXR experiences.

More Insightful Tidbits

The RTX 5090’s Performance Over the RTX 4090

According to recent YouTube reviews, NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 supersedes the RTX 4090 in VR experiences easily.

The Vibrant World of VR Communities for Seniors

Bobby Carlton penned an insightful piece highlighting VR’s appeal beyond just Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha, shedding light on thriving VR community spaces for seniors and the 50+ demographic, focusing predominantly on fitness and social applications.

The NBA Experience on Your Desk

Apple Vision Pro’s NBA app unveils an intriguing "Tabletop" feature, offering a diorama-scale view of NBA games, allowing for a miniaturized, 3D playfield experience. While captivating, it’s more like a unique side dish to full-fledged TV viewing rather than a main course.

Disover Exciting Deals on the Horizon Store

An extensive sale is currently underway in the Quest Store, cutting prices on popular VR titles like Among Us VR and Ultrawings 2 until February 23.

First-Hand Tracking Game on PSVR 2 is Here

Waltz Of The Wizard takes center stage as the inaugural hand-tracked game for PSVR 2, boasting magical combat made all the more immersive thanks to the PS5’s prowess.

Noteworthy Content Updates

Skydance made waves with a significant update to their game, Behemoth, ironing out over 700 bugs. In the meantime, an awaited patch for Alien Rogue Incursion promises to fix glaring lighting issues undermining its eerie aura.

Other Stirring Content News

We gather hints of stellar titles and updates on the horizon, from VR tactical shooters inspired by ArmA to offerings like Dreams of Another’s point-cloud graphics. Emotionally-driven narratives blend with thrilling mechanics to scratch the gaming itch for any VR enthusiast.

A Touch Tribute and Call for Support

At Ready At Dawn, whispers abound of a potentially groundbreaking VR game. The ingenuity of the team behind hits like Lone Echo, sadly halted by Meta’s shutdown, leaves a bittersweet taste for what might have been.

Before we wrap, let’s focus on making a difference: the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is dire. I urge you to join me in supporting the Red Cross. My gratitude goes out to my fantastic Patreon supporters who’ve bolstered this journey immeasurably.

Here’s to more delightful XR explorations—until next time!