As the chill of November sets in, I find myself sipping on a warm cup of something comforting while reflecting on the latest in extended reality (XR) news. Coming off the heels of China’s Singles’ Day, let’s delve into some of the week’s most intriguing developments in the world of XR.
Top News of the Week
The Ongoing Excitement Around Smart Glasses
The buzz around smart glasses shows no signs of waning, and the industry is buzzing with activity. Following the favorable reception of Ray-Ban’s collaboration with Meta, it seems like every tech giant is diving into the smart glasses arena. Mark Gurman’s recent insights reveal that Apple, too, is secretly crafting its version, aiming for a 2027 release to rival the popular Ray-Ban Meta. Though specifics are under wraps, insiders hint these glasses will boast AI capabilities to augment user experiences. Apple’s entry here could shake things up—they’ve got the allure of a lifestyle brand that naturally attracts consumers.
Elsewhere, Samsung and Google have their smart glasses projects underway, and Baidu is primed to unveil its own during Shanghai’s Baidu World event. This device will incorporate cameras and Baidu’s Ernie model for smart voice interactions. Not to be outdone, Meta is deepening its smart glasses reach with pop-up stores purely focused on Ray-Ban Meta products. These experiential spaces in Los Angeles and, come January, Phoenix, Arizona, look to blend retail with events, making the wearable tech even more fashionable and fun with comedy nights, live podcasts, and even cooking classes.
Are we witnessing the dawn of a new wearable era, or is this just another fleeting trend? Only time will tell.
Other Noteworthy News
Meta May Scale Back on Gaming Content Funding
Changes are reportedly afoot at Meta, which is shifting XR content funding from gaming to broader lifestyle projects. This pivot has unfortunately left some partners, such as Netherlands’ Monks and France’s Atlas V, in the lurch, resulting in layoffs. It’s a tough blow, illustrating the volatile nature of relying on funding, which can shift seemingly overnight.
Despite the gloomy news, Meta’s strategy could be on track. By moving beyond gaming, the company aims to influence everyday tools, aiming not just for the next gaming console, but the next smartphone-like ubiquity—a decisive step toward mainstream adoption.
Impressive DIY AR Glasses
In an impressive feat of ingenuity, Miroslav Kotalík built his own AR glasses, named Zero, powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero. His initial prototype is capable of playing videos, music, and displaying simple text. He plans to upgrade with a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, opening possibilities like streaming YouTube and Spotify. Track his updates on social media, as this could pave the way for accessible DIY XR tech.
Apple’s Vision Pro Gets Panoramic Display
Apple’s VisionOS 2.2 beta introduces a major new feature: a virtual UltraWide screen for Mac integration. This innovation mimics having dual 4K monitors thanks to an extensive, surrounding screen. Designers can certainly benefit from this, given the pricey nature of physical ultra-wide monitors. It’s promising for productivity, though the lack of native window management for such wide displays could require some third-party tweaking.
LIV Launches Creator Kit for Quest
LIV’s new SDK for Unity enables third-person VR capture on the Quest, adding dynamic new angles for creators without needing a connected PC. With the recent integration of popular social apps like Gorilla Tag, this toolkit is likely to be a hit, simplifying the video creation process for developers.
Touching Tech and Scent Teleportation
Among other tech marvels, EgoTouch transforms your palm into a touch interface with haptic feedback, differentiating between touches and presses for a nuanced experience. Osmo, meanwhile, has announced "scent teleportation," digitizing and transmitting smells—an extraordinary leap with potential future applications in virtual worlds.
Virtual Market: PlayStation Store Sales and Content Releases
An enticing sale on PlayStation Store, featuring discounts upwards of 40% on PSVR 2 games, beckons gamers to expand their collections. On the release front, numerous titles—from sci-fi films to AR apps and high-intensity VR games—are set to debut, promising diverse experiences across platforms like Quest and PICO Store.
Fresh Game Reviews
Jumping into reviews: "Human Fall Flat VR" maintains its quirky charm well, "Dumb Ways: Free for All" delivers delightful chaos, and "Underworld Overseer" revives the dungeon-master fantasy into VR superbly. Each title, in its own flair, adds something unique to the gaming tapestry.
Wrapping Up With News From Partners and Fun Tidbits
Elsewhere in the XR community, there’s buzzworthy news such as Julie Smithson stepping in as METAVRSE’s CEO, and inspiring gatherings like MatchXR in Helsinki and the VR Jam in Slovenia. Both events promise exciting insights into the XR world, offering a chance for those nearby to engage with the future.
No advertisements today—just a moment for reflection and gratitude towards our Patreon supporters who ensure we continue bringing these updates. Let’s also remember the pressing need to aid communities in conflict zones; consider contributing to the humanitarian efforts via the Red Cross.
Stay warm, enjoy the XR evolutions, and see you in our next roundup!
