As the year wraps up, today offers the perfect chance to look back and ponder over the past months. I’ve delved into my experiences with extended reality (XR) in a couple of reflective posts, touching upon the numerous XR events I took part in and an analysis of XR’s trajectory into 2024—there’s a mix of ups and downs, as expected. Make sure to give them a read if you haven’t already! But for now, let’s not forget to celebrate and enjoy the final day of the year with those we cherish. Here’s to a phenomenal 2025! 😊
This Week’s Highlights
Trouble Strikes Some Meta Quest Headsets Over Christmas
Some users faced frustration when the v72 update for Meta Quest led to bricked headsets, particularly those long overdue for updates. These unfortunate users found themselves with unusable devices showing an error message, right when many had plans to enjoy them over the holidays. Initially, Meta was slow to respond, given the timing of the holidays and reduced staff availability. Initially, customer service refused help with out-of-warranty devices, but after much uproar, Meta addressed the issue, offering solutions and, in some cases, replacing the faulty devices with Quest 3S models and store credits. While Meta eventually resolved the situation, it brings to light a lesson about the risks of rolling out major updates just before holiday seasons.
[More Info] on the Quest Issue
Other Major Updates
Pimax Introduces the Dream Air Compact Headset
Living up to its reputation for frequent product launches, Pimax has unveiled its latest headset—the Dream Air. Unlike Pimax’s usual larger models, this compact headset targets those interested in lightweight and functional headsets like the BigScreen Beyond or Visor. Dream Air promises features such as hand and eye tracking, an auto-adjusting strap, and the novel ability to connect to an external battery and Snapdragon XR2 chip-enhanced puck for standalone use.
Key Specs from Road To VR:
- Display: Dual micro-OLED, 100% DCI-P3 colors
- Resolution per-eye: 13MP
- Max Refresh Rate: 90Hz
- Field-of-view: 102°
Expected to cost around $1900 with a mid-2025 release, the reception has been a mix of skepticism and anticipation. Some see it as a response to competitors like MeganeX, aiming to capture a slice of the market by appealing to those prioritizing clarity and comfort over wide fields of view.
[More Info] on the Dream Air Launch
Rumors of Display Additions to Meta’s Ray-Ban Glasses
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses have gained traction as a top XR device in 2024. Building on this success, Meta reportedly plans to integrate displays for basic notifications and AI interactions into a new model. If the collaboration with Luxottica continues and maintains the stylish design with their distribution prowess, it could mean big things for this line’s future success.
[More Info]
Excitement Builds Ahead of CES Announcements
The upcoming CES event promises thrilling reveals, as hinted by companies like Sony and DPVR. This pivotal industry event will feature Sony’s keynote "Create Infinite Realities," alongside NVIDIA potentially unveiling new RTX 50 series cards. Stay tuned for direct updates from the show floor!
[More Info]
Noteworthy Mentions
Meta Horizon App Dominates App Store Top Spots
During this holiday season, Meta Horizon’s configuration app soared in popularity, becoming one of the most downloaded applications across app stores globally—a testament to its continued success and VR headset sales.
[More Info]
Pico’s SecureMR and Privacy in Passthrough APIs
Pico’s SecureMR innovation promises advanced passthrough features with user privacy. Developers can’t access camera frames directly but can apply ML models through Pico OS for an enhanced user experience. Despite its technical strengths, it could face challenges if Meta provides more developer-friendly APIs.
[More Info]
Farewell to Magic Leap One
A sad development as Magic Leap One’s backend servers are set to shut down, rendering these expensive devices useless and erasing their associated experiences. It’s a disappointing end for creators and users alike, who invested heavily and hoped for more longevity.
[More Info]
Access Global LiDAR Data
Tokyo’s municipality recently shared detailed point cloud data for free, sparking interest across various industries. Many countries have LiDAR programs that, while less detailed, could still provide valuable resources for developing digital twins and beyond.
[More Info]
Road To VR’s Game of the Year Selections
Road To VR, a favorite XR publication, announced its top games: among them, Batman: Arkham Shadow snagged the best Quest game title, though other picks may surprise you.
[More Info]
Fanatical’s VR Gaming Offer
Fanatical presents "Build your Own Quest VR Bundle Winter Edition," offering players game bundles at reduced prices—grab 2 games for $17.99 or 7 games for just $59.99.
[More Info]
Brief Updates on Content
- WarpFrog is brewing a new physics-driven game; expect modding enthusiasts to rejoice.
- “Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable” launched its full edition; mixed reactions aside, fans are ecstatic.
- Game Night, a local multiplayer Quest party game, presents a delightful combination of brainy and physical challenges.
[More Info]
Miscellaneous News
- Samsung’s XR headset will feature Google’s Find My Device feature.
- It turns out the Quest startup animation is a 3D model, not a video.
[More Info]
Partner Corner
It’s all quiet on the partner front this holiday week, so here’s wishing you all a joyous festivity! Spread some holiday cheer through this link.
A Dose of XR Fun
From humorous memes to quirky insights about our professions, these XR gems guarantee a chuckle or two. Feel free to explore the links!
Support a Noble Cause
As we usher in the new year, let’s extend our help to those affected by conflicts worldwide. Consider donating to the Red Cross to aid the situation in Ukraine. I thank my Patreon supporters for their continued generosity and present the link below for those who wish to contribute.
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image courtesy of Pimax)
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