As we wrap up the year, it’s always a good time to reflect and look back on the experiences we’ve had. I’ve shared my thoughts in some recent posts, reflecting on XR events I attended this year and analyzing the XR landscape in 2024. If you haven’t had a chance to check them out, they provide some interesting insights. Hopefully, you’ll spend today surrounded by loved ones, celebrating the arrival of the New Year. Wishing you a fantastic 2025! 🎉
Top News of the Week
Some Meta Quest Headsets Brick This Christmas
It seems the v72 update for Meta Quest had an unexpected hiccup, leaving some headsets unusable. This problem mainly affected those that hadn’t been updated recently, resulting in a boot screen error claiming the device was corrupt. Quite inconvenient when these were gifts meant for Christmas fun! There was some online commotion, but initially, Meta’s response was slow due to holiday vacations. Customer service was also hesitant to assist those out of warranty. However, after much outcry, they acknowledged the issue, rectified it, and even offered replacements, including free credits on the Horizon Store, for affected users. Meta did step up to resolve this issue, yet it begs the question: why push a major update just before the holidays? It’s well-known in tech circles to avoid critical changes during vacation times due to limited support staff.
Other Relevant News
Pimax Introduces Dream Air Compact Headset
Pimax has unleashed yet another headset called Dream Air. Unlike its beefier siblings, Dream Air caters to a different market segment, competing with BigScreen Beyond and others. It boasts features like hand-tracking, eye-tracking, IPD adjustment, and an innovative auto-tightening strap. There’s also a device named Cobb, which can make it a standalone-like headset. Key specs include a 13MP resolution per eye, 90Hz refresh rate, and various inputs and adjustments—all priced around $1900 and expected in mid-2025. The reception has been a mixed bag, with some intrigued and others skeptical about Pimax’s frequent launches. An insightful video points out Pimax’s strategy of quickly responding to market trends, even if execution isn’t always perfect. Time will tell if Dream Air captures the market’s interest.
Meta’s New Moves with Ray-Ban Glasses
Meta’s Ray-Ban XR glasses saw great success in 2024, prompting development of a new model with added display features. The inclusion of such tech in Ray-Ban Meta products is intriguing, especially since Luxottica initially opposed bulkier designs. A merger of style and functionality could spell a distribution success.
Upcoming Device Launches at CES
CES is on the horizon, and I’m excited to attend! Major tech reveals are expected, including Sony’s potential headset announcements and possibly NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series. DPVR has also hinted at a new XR-related product. Stay tuned here for exclusive CES updates!
News Worth Mentioning
Meta Horizon App’s Holiday Surge
Once again, the Meta Horizon app topped download charts during the holidays, indicating strong Quest headset sales. Good news for the XR industry!
Privacy-Focused SecureMR by Pico
Pico’s SecureMR aims to offer privacy while providing passthrough API functionalities. It allows developers to utilize Machine Learning models without accessing camera frames, maintaining user privacy. However, limited access could hinder developer creativity. We’ll see how it fares against forthcoming Meta APIs.
Farewell to Magic Leap One
Magic Leap is shutting down support, rendering Magic Leap One headsets inoperative. It’s a sad end for a once-promising device, leaving many owners with expensive paperweights and the risk of losing unique experiences created for this platform.
Global LiDAR Availability
Following Tokyo’s example, more cities are making their LiDAR data available. This information can greatly benefit projects focusing on VPS and digital twins, enhancing their accuracy and utility.
Road to VR’s Game Picks
Road To VR has revealed its top game picks. As expected, Batman: Arkham Shadow leads for Quest, but check out the list for some pleasant surprises.
Fanatical’s Winter VR Game Bundle
Fanatical’s "Build Your Own Quest VR Bundle" is live, offering major discounts on selected VR games. Choose from bundles of 2, 4, or 7 games at varying price points—an excellent deal for gamers!
Some Fresh Content
- Warpfrog is developing a new physics-based, moddable game.
- "Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable" received praise from fans with its complete edition, despite mixed critical reception.
- "Game Night" promises enjoyable local multiplayer experiences on Quest.
Other News
- Samsung XR headset to incorporate Google’s Find My Device.
- Quest’s power-up animation is a 3D model, not just a video.
News from Partners and Friends
Happy Holidays everyone! No features this week, but enjoy this link for some holiday cheer.
XR Fun
Humorous takes on AI challenges, party antics, and quirky XR moments abound. Check out the links for a good laugh!
Donate for Good
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Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Pimax)
