Back in Italy, and even though I’m feeling a bit tired, I’m also pretty thrilled. Hope your Valentine’s Day was filled with love and happiness. One thing that’s got me buzzing is the recognition my article on Android XR’s camera frame permissions has received. Big names like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority gave it a shout-out! It’s nice to grab a bit of the spotlight now and then. Anyway, let’s jump right into this week’s standout XR news, shall we?
Top News of the Week
Ray-Ban Meta Hits 2 Million in Sales
EssilorLuxottica’s CEO, Francesco Milleri, recently sang praises for the Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses during their Q4 2024 earnings call, celebrating an impressive 2 million units sold. These glasses aren’t just selling; they’re keeping users hooked—a true mark of their success. Given these stats, Luxottica plans to ramp up production to over 10 million units annually by the close of 2026.
The buzz around Ray-Ban Meta has stirred up a frenzy. At CES, there was a rush of startups unveiling their AI-driven smartglasses, and whispers suggest big names like Apple and Samsung might be entering the fray soon too. But tread carefully on the hype wave—Ray-Ban’s iconic brand plays a massive role in this success, not just Meta. Other brands might not see the same splash without a legacy name attached. Plus, while Luxottica’s projected 10 million annual output is sizeable, it’s not smartphone-level, so the journey to widespread adoption is still unfolding.
Other Relevant News
(Image by Meta)
Meta’s Robot Revolution?
According to Bloomberg, Meta is reportedly dipping its toes into the world of humanoid robots via its Reality Labs division, the same team churning out XR headsets. These robots are set to handle daily tasks, with AR and VR data playing a crucial role in their training. Curiously, Meta doesn’t plan to build the robots themselves, likely having learned some hard lessons from its hardware endeavors. Instead, they’re focusing on crafting AI systems and technologies that others can use to manufacture robots.
I have to admit, I’m puzzled by this move. With the current issues XR is facing and hefty quarterly losses, opening another costly innovation front seems risky.
Apple Steps Up Vision Pro Features
Over at Apple, things are heating up with plans to enhance their Vision Pro headset with Apple Intelligence, reports Bloomberg. This update will also usher in a guest mode and spatial content app, potentially as early as April. Rumor has it they’re seeking a Chinese partner—possibly Tencent or Bytedance—to embed AI in their devices. These integrations could be harmonized with a potential Vision Pro powered by an M5 chipset.
Adding Apple Intelligence could be a game-changer, positioning Apple to challenge Google more fiercely. This competitive spirit among tech giants like Meta, Apple, and Google is sure to drive swift improvements.
AugmentOS Simplifies Smartglasses Development
Mentra’s unveiling of AugmentOS stands out as an exciting development. This app lets developers create a single application compatible with multiple smartglasses models. AugmentOS has teamed up with Vuzix, meaning apps can run seamlessly on Vuzix Z100, Even Realities G1, and Mentra Mach1. Though they claim Ray-Ban Meta support, it’s curiously missing from their official list.
This initiative could tackle the fragmented ecosystem problem head-on, allowing developers to craft apps that work across the board. I’m eager to see how far this project goes and whether it gains traction.
News Worth a Mention
(Image by Sony Interactive Entertainment)
PSVR 2 Sees Holiday Sales Surge
Sony’s drastic PSVR 2 price drop from $550 to $350 sparked a significant sales jump in 2024. Amazon US charts show a fivefold spike compared to 2023’s holiday season. While still lagging behind Quest, these figures are noteworthy, and I wonder if a permanent price cut might benefit Sony’s long-term strategy.
Anduril Takes Over the IVAS Project
Anduril, helmed by Palmer Luckey, is taking charge of the IVAS project, previously in Microsoft’s hands. Microsoft remains involved via its Azure cloud, but hardware and software duties are now Anduril’s. Luckey has been vocally optimistic, touting his expertise in head-mounted display design, raising expectations sky-high.
Wonderland Cloud’s Role in WebXR
Create Worlds, the team behind Wonderland Engine, is rolling out Wonderland Cloud—dedicated hosting for WebXR applications. Offering hosting and features like multiplayer voice chat, this service could streamline WebXR’s developmental landscape.
RTX 5090 vs. RTX 4090: A Showdown
This week saw YouTubers testing NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 against the RTX 4090 in a VR setting, with the 5090 predictably taking the crown.
VR for All Ages
An article by Bobby Carlton sheds light on VR communities for older adults and seniors—an often overlooked demographic amidst the Gen-Z/Alpha focus. Games like Gorilla Tag are popular, but there’s a vibrant over-50 community drawn to fitness and social apps as well.
Mini NBA Games on Your Desk
The official NBA Apple Vision Pro app is introducing Tabletop—a miniature diorama of live games on your desk. It’s a fun but not fully immersive way to watch, yet it pairs well with a larger virtual screen.
Quest Store Sale
Running till February 23, the Quest Store is marking down popular titles like Among Us VR, Ultrawings 2, and LEGO Bricktales.
PSVR 2’s First Hand-Tracked Game
Sony’s recently added hand-tracking support for PSVR 2 is showcased in Waltz Of The Wizard. The game’s magic-based mechanics mesh well with the new controls, delivering surprisingly smooth performance thanks to the PS5’s power.
Some News on Content
- Behemoth gets a hefty update with over 700 bug fixes and enhancements.
- Alien Rogue Incursion debuts on Quest but suffers from poor lighting; a fix is promised soon.
- Into The Radius 2 is arriving on Quest in Q2 2025, priced at $39.99.
It’s intriguing to imagine what the folks at Ready At Dawn might have been cooking up—a project hailed as "the most revolutionary VR game ever" never saw the light of day after the studio’s closure by Meta.
Other Noteworthy Developments
- The Midnight Walk, a claymation adventure, is bound for PSVR 2 in May 2025.
- Five Nights at Freddy’s is launching in June, though PSVR 2 support seems uncertain now.
- Selina: Mind at Large arrives on Quest in late February, promising an intriguing storyline.
- Anduril pushes to meet the high claims made by Palmer Luckey with its new military-grade VR headset.
Some Thoughts on Reviews
- Stupid Cars, a quirky traffic-guiding game, proves simple yet engaging.
- TouchDesk is an innovative Apple Vision Pro app enabling finger drawing on your desk—without grabbing all your screen’s attention.
Miscellaneous Headlines
- John Carmack’s Effort: He attempted, unsuccessfully, to get ID Software to embrace community ports of game classics like Doom and Quake.
- Dbrand’s Creative Vision Pro Faceplate: Known for its inventive gadget skins, Dbrand reveals a faceplate for the Apple Vision Pro.
- Company Layoffs: Crytek and Unity both report layoffs—a sign of struggles in the competitive gaming landscape.
- UGVR: Universal VR mod added to Godot, opening new possibilities for VR content development.
News From Friends and Partners
- Prima Immersive sets the bar for video quality on Apple Vision Pro, offering an unparalleled viewing experience with its immersive video encoder.
- Aviar brings an all-inclusive VR training solution in a single box for the aviation sector.
Some XR Fun
- Check out these amusing links capturing quirky moments in VR—perfect for a chuckle!
Donate for a Good Cause
Instead of supporting my blog, consider extending a helping hand to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The Red Cross is an excellent avenue for your contributions. Before I go, I must thank my Patreon supporters for their consistent encouragement:
- Alex Gonzalez VR, DeoVR, GenVR, Eduardo Siman, Jonn Fredericks, Jean-Marc Duyckaerts, and many more.
Here’s the link to support the Red Cross in Ukraine.
Header image by Meta.
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Stay innovative, and until next time!
