What a fantastic week I’ve had! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be heading to CES this January for the very first time. I’ve already started putting plans together and booking some exciting appointments to test out the latest in AR/VR glasses. If you plan on being there, reach out! And if you have tips on making the most out of the CES experience, do share. I can’t wait to fill you in on my adventures there. But for now, let’s delve into this week’s top XR news… and there’s a giveaway too!
Top News of the Week
Google Announced Android XR
One of the week’s standout announcements—and a significant one for the year—was Google’s reveal of Android XR. This is set to be Google’s operating system for all XR devices, spanning mixed reality headsets, AR glasses, and even smart glasses. The mixed-reality headset codenamed Project Moohan, developed in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm, will debut this OS, though companies like XREAL, Sony, and Lynx are also on board crafting compatible devices. Google offered a sneak peek of the OS on Project Moohan, alongside monocular and binocular smart glasses, to select media. A key highlight is the integration of Gemini AI, which actively observes your real and virtual interactions, ready to assist whenever needed. With Gemini, you can inspect business cards or foreign signage and even access 3D map representations for a more immersive navigation experience. It offers handy features like automatic conversion of photos and videos to 3D and multimodal input options. While only a handful of applications like the G-suite and games such as Demeo or Vacation Simulator are currently available, the OS already supports development for native, Unity, and WebXR. Despite limited information on Project Moohan, it’s hinted to blend features from Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro, with an expected release in 2025. It’s great to see Google stepping into the XR scene, promising innovation and competition. Here’s hoping it doesn’t end up in their infamous project graveyard!
For more details, check out my in-depth Android XR roundup or Ben Lang’s editorial comparing it to Horizon OS.
Other Relevant News
Latest Quest Update Enhances Hand Tracking and Windows 11 Pairing
Meta’s latest update, runtime v72 for Quest, brings some notable improvements:
- Hand Tracking v2.3: Performance is now more responsive, even in enclosed spaces such as during travel.
- Windows Mixed Reality Link: Once configured, Quest 3 and 3S users can connect with Windows 11 PCs just by glancing at them, offering a productivity boost akin to Apple’s integration with Mac.
- Keyboard Tracking and Passthrough: Enhanced interactivity by tracking all keyboards.
- New Media Gallery App: Easily access and enjoy media on your device.
- Seamless VR Home Environment Entry: No more boundary setup needed, offering a frictionless experience.
Personally, the Windows 11 PC pairing stands out for its convenience, evoking the seamless Mac connection praised by many.
Check out Road To VR and Upload VR for more insights on the Meta Quest runtime v72.
News Worth a Mention
Omdia’s Grim Forecast for XR in 2025
Omdia, an analytics firm, has released projections for the XR market that suggest tough times ahead. They predict a 10% drop in headset sales, from 7.7 million units in 2023 to 6.9 million in 2024, with a rebound expected by 2026. Despite these projections, I feel the industry has begun gaining momentum since 2023, with breakthroughs like the success of Ray-Ban meta and the launch of Android XR offering a glimmer of hope.
For more insights, see the Financial Times and LinkedIn posts discussing Omdia’s report.
The Success Story of Gorilla Tag
VR investor JP Minetos penned an enlightening piece on Road To VR, exploring how Gorilla Tag became such a sensation. The game’s social mechanics, combined with its unique locomotion style and inherent meme potential, have propelled it to widespread popularity.
If you’re curious, more info can be found around the web.
Quest 3S Now Available at a Bargain
Don’t miss out on the Quest 3S (256 GB) available at Amazon US and elsewhere for $400, complete with a $30 Amazon digital credit. Perfect timing for holiday shopping!
For details, consult your favorite online retailer.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Takes Top Honors
At the recent Game Awards, Batman: Arkham Shadow by Camouflaj snagged the Best VR/AR Game Award. The game has made waves in the VR community, making this win well-deserved.
Catch the awards ceremony on video or read Meta’s celebratory blog post for more.
Exciting New Content Announcements
- Fallout London VR Mod: Dive into the expansive ‘Fallout: London’ in VR.
- Path of Fury: Episode I: Scheduled for release on Quest platforms in early 2025 at $9.99.
- Bridge Constructor XR: Enjoy bridge-building in a new dimension for $10.
- Behemoth Patch: Addressing bugs and tweaking combat balance.
- Clone Drone VR Sequel: Available on Steam and Meta for $20.
- Realize Music: Sing: Launching January 23, 2025, for Meta Quest, promoting wellness through music.
- Panic Room MR: Mixed-reality horror for Quest 3 & 3S at $5.
- X8 Contra Crossover: Available for $20 on Horizon Store and Steam.
- Crystal Commanders: Releasing in early 2025 for Quest.
- Mecha Force: Available in early access with a free demo.
- DodgeCraft: New VR sports game available now.
- Beyond Blue: After the Storm: Explore the ocean in VR with this narrative experience.
- Human Fall Flat VR: New beta mode available on Steam.
Find more info through the usual channels for each release.
Reviews of New Content
- Metamorphosis VR: An interesting concept with great visuals, though somewhat lacking in polish.
- Action Hero: A refreshing take on SuperHot mechanics, ideal for VR newcomers and veterans alike.
- Home Sports: While fun, the games can feel a bit superficial.
- Rogue Piñatas: A lighthearted twist on defending against hordes, ideal for family-friendly gaming.
Check out reviews online for each title to see if they’re for you.
Other News Highlights
- Rob Cole reviewed the Pimax Crystal Light in detail.
- Norman Mueller summarized the latest advancements in smart and AR glasses.
- Apple introduced a new Ultrawide Virtual Display for Vision Pro.
- Affordable NeoGrip controllers are now available for standalone VR headsets.
- Unity has announced its Humanity 2025 grant.
- Into The Scaniverse offers WebXR access to world-reconstructed places.
For further information, dive into the linked articles.
News from Partners and Friends
Interested in investing in Vitruvian VR? Now you can! This innovative startup has launched a crowdfunding campaign. Their incredible full-body simulator offers an immersive six degrees of freedom experience. Invest a minimum of €250 and become part of something special. Check out my review for a deeper understanding of the project. Learn more about the crowdfunding effort and my thoughts on Vitruvian.
Iron Rebellion Giveaway!
Fans of mecha games shouldn’t miss Iron Rebellion, a love letter to Titanfall and Hawken, now available on Quest and Steam. The developers have kindly shared a few Steam keys with me:
- RBQ6Q-5LEEE-C0BW2
- 7HWWY-M8K6E-9W0EF
Act fast! If you miss out, please consider purchasing the game to support the developers. Explore more about Iron Rebellion’s release on Steam and Horizon Store.
Some XR Fun
Let’s lighten the mood with a few laughs:
- Quest 4 camera setups humorously speculated [Link provided].
- A chicken-themed VR comic had us in stitches [Link provided].
- Even Fight Club rules can have a funny spin [Link provided].
Donate for Good
In closing, I’d like to encourage donations, not to me, but to those in need due to ongoing conflicts. Please consider supporting the Red Cross to aid those facing hardships in Ukraine. I’m constantly grateful for my Patreon supporters, whose contributions make my work possible.
Special shout-outs to:
- Alex Gonzalez VR
- DeoVR
- GenVR
- Eduardo Siman
- And many more incredible supporters listed…
And now, here’s the link for donations:
[Support The Red Cross in Ukraine]
Remember, this blog supports itself through advertisements and affiliate links, so your clicks do make a small difference. Thanks for being part of this journey with me!
