I just touched down in China briefly and finally got to witness a spectacular New Year’s street performance, complete with the iconic dragon and tiger dancers! It’s been an amazing visit, though I must admit I’m on the verge of exploding from all the delicious food I’ve indulged in. If there’s ever a perfect way to go, this is it! Before I dive into the latest XR tidbits from the week, let me extend my warmest wishes for the Year of the Snake. Quick update: this newsletter is coming to you a couple of days late because I ended up really unwell right after drafting half of it (the food wasn’t to blame!). Today is the first day I’ve managed to crawl out of bed, crack open my laptop, and finish writing. Seeing that cheerful intro again brought a smile to my face. Apologies for the delay, and I hope you’re all still with me!
Top News This Week
Meta Wrapped Up a Strong Q4 2024
Meta has revealed its financial results for the final quarter of 2024, and the numbers are impressive with some aspects worth pondering. Reality Labs hit an all-time high with a staggering $1.08 billion in quarterly revenue, largely driven by holiday season sales, as Quests continue to be a popular gift choice. Indicators for success were evident with the Meta Quest companion app topping the iOS store charts, a whopping million gamers diving into Batman Arkham Shadow, and the Quest reigning supreme as Amazon’s best-selling console of 2024. But with the MR/VR scene still in a bit of a lull, it’s surprising this quarter turned out so remarkably well.
One factor we initially overlooked is the impact of Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Mark Zuckerberg revealed sales of over a million units with revenues surpassing $300M in 2024. Even if Meta only pocketed a fraction, say 30%, that alone contributes more than $100M for the year, or $25M each quarter. Strip that from the $1.08B, and what remains indicates Quest revenues comparable to or slightly less than last year’s figures.
From what I gather, two trends emerge—VR/MR isn’t dead, in fact, it’s inching along, waiting for the next wave of innovation, while the burgeoning smartglasses market (despite being somewhat overhyped) shows tons of potential. Zuck is particularly jazzed about the prospects, predicting 2 to 5 million units in sales for the next-gen Ray-Bans. He’s also optimistic about Horizon Worlds, forecasting further growth and visual enhancements this year. With Horizon OS designed to funnel users into Worlds, Meta execs are pleased, but the move is inadvertently stifling developers on the Horizon Store.
One last crucial point to mention—despite the soaring revenues, Meta’s expenditure is hefty, totaling $6.05 billion in Q4 alone, largely funneled into R&D to outpace competition in producing consumer AR glasses. The cost of selling devices under production cost adds up to hefty losses. As Road To VR highlights, since Q4 2020, Meta has poured a jaw-dropping $69 billion into Reality Labs, raking in just $9.19 billion. This fiscal strain isn’t slated to ease, as Meta acknowledges ongoing investments won’t start reaping returns until the 2030s.
For more insights on this, check out:
- Meta’s Q4 2024 Financials
- Leaked Memo on Revenue
- Record Revenues and Losses at Meta Reality Labs
- 1 Million Batman Arkham Shadow Players!
- Ray-Ban Meta’s Million Units
- Horizon Worlds Updates
Other News Highlights
Apple is Still Tweaking Its AR Glasses Strategy
The ever-eloquent Mark Gurman spills the beans that Apple is still hashing out its AR glasses roadmap, though the interest remains strong. His latest update unveils that Apple axed some tethered AR specs that were initially designed to pair with iPhones. Now, they drained way too much battery, leading to a plan shift connecting them to Macs, which eventually bombed in early trials and got canned.
Don’t count Apple out of the AR glasses game just yet. They’re still at it, crafting microLED displays at their mysterious Santa Clara lab for eventual use in glasses. These next-gen displays hold a lot of promise for XR innovations. However, don’t expect to see Apple’s AR glasses before 2028 or possibly later.
Things aren’t too rosy within Apple’s Vision Products Group though. According to Gurman, canceled projects and shifting priorities have staff feeling directionless and demoralized. I feel the struggle—pioneering new tech is daunting and can be downright disheartening, but remember, perseverance pays.
Want to dive deeper into this story?
Celebrating a Year of Apple Vision Pro
Recently, my social media was abuzz with Apple enthusiasts marking the one-year anniversary of the Vision Pro. I couldn’t resist jumping on this joyful bandwagon—Happy Birthday, Vision Pro! Thanks for reigniting competition in the XR marketplace and spurring other companies to speed up their XR developments!
For more celebrations, read:
News Worth Mentioning
VRChat Rolls Out Age Verification
VRChat has rolled out age verification for its VRC+ members, courtesy of Persona, wherein users can either submit official documents or a clear photo. While not mandatory, verifying allows entry into age-limited areas and sports an adult verification badge. It’s an unprecedented step in social VR, possibly paving the way for seamless adult-only experiences.
For a long time, the community has been miffed at unruly kids ruining the ambiance, but separating grown-ups from minors was tough. Will users waive privacy concerns to gain a more peaceful environment, or prioritize their privacy? And, given this is a VRC+ exclusive, how many creators will cater exclusively to verified adults? Only time will provide answers.
Intrigued? Learn more here.
XReal One vs. Apple Vision Pro: A Thought-Provoking Comparison
I’ve always found it a bit off to compare distinct device types. But Scott Stein’s review of the XReal One glasses got me pondering. The XReal One excels as a portable virtual cinema, earning praise from reviewers like Stein and Tyriel Wood. So, if a wide-screen experience is the goal, why not get a cheaper, lighter device specially designed for that function instead of shelling out $3500 for the Vision Pro? Sure, the Vision Pro boasts broader FOV and vibrant colors with diverse uses. Still, it’s a thought worth considering.
For more info, read here.
Additional News Tidbits
Viture Unleashes New Pro XR Glasses
Viture’s new Pro XR glasses feature stunning 1920×1080 micro OLED displays, 46° FOV, 49 PPD, and clock in at 120Hz. Available for $459, there’s a $50 discount if you snag them now.
Explore more details.
Logitech Pen: Serving as a Tracker for Meta Quest
With no equivalent to the Vive Tracker for Meta Quest, developers traditionally employed Quest controllers to track items in XR. Enter the Logitech MX Ink pen, which offers a novel tracking solution, allowing both the pen and controllers to register simultaneously. This could spark some innovative community creations, which I eagerly anticipate.
Checking out the educational and experimental applications? Head here.
Haptikos Ventures Into XR Haptics
Emerging from stealth, Sunnyvale-based Haptikos unveils its prototype hand exoskeleton. Part of its Haptik OS ecosystem, the device is designed to provide finger-tracking and haptic feedback, simulating tactile surfaces. Currently at $2500, by 2026 the team aims to lower it to $1000, a competitive price in XR haptics. I found earlier demos quite promising; I’m eager to see their next steps unfold.
Discover more at this link.
Meta Cracks Down on Leakers
Meta is stepping up its battle against information leaks, issuing strict warnings about terminating those leaking intel. Zuckerberg even mentioned he’d dial back transparency due to previous leaks. Ironically, this too was leaked. Oh, the irony!
For the full story, click here.
Harmonizing Quest Passthrough With ChatGPT
A mastermind who unlocked optimal Quest passthrough access is now working on integrating Meta Quest 3’s camera with OpenAI’s GPT-4o. This fusion of passthrough and AI could yield transformative results, and I’m eager to witness its potential!
Stay updated here.
More Troubles in VR Land
The ongoing slump in VR is underscored by three major setbacks this week. Orbus VR, the pioneering MMO from 2017, is shutting down. Fast Travel Games, a leading studio, is laying off 30 employees due to disappointing 2024 sales. Meanwhile, Vertigo Games offloads its arcade platform, Springboard VR, to Synthesis VR as part of restructuring.
For more on these updates:
Content Updates Galore
Here’s a rundown of recent content updates in the XR sphere:
- COLD VR targets a new launch date: February 11
- Aces of Thunder, an aerial VR combat game, is slated for PSVR 2 and PC VR headsets in 2025
- Demeo collaborates with Dungeons & Dragons for a new adventure called DEMEO X DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: BATTLEMARKED (separate from Demeo)
- Cave Crave, inspired by Climb, offers a spelunking simulator priced at $13 for preorder on the Horizon Store
- Daisy Ridley will feature in Trailblazer: The Untold Story of Mrs. Benz, capturing the life of Bertha Benz, arriving on Quest this March
- Beyond Blue: After the Storm—a VR sequel to Beyond Blue—lets you explore the ocean and is now live on the Meta Store for $15
- Darknet leaps to Quest headsets as Darknet: Remastered, available for $9.99 on the Horizon Store
- Craftarium lets you build a spatial aquarium with the Apple Vision Pro—free!
- Synth Riders will unveil an exclusive Kendrick Lamar Experience next month for the Apple Vision Pro in celebration of Super Bowl LIX
- Farming Simulator VR is gearing up for a February 28 release on the Horizon Store, bringing a novel farming adventure to VR
- Owlchemy Labs applies permanent $19.99 pricing to its titles Vacation Simulator and Cosmonious High on Meta, Steam, Pico, and Apple
- The Apple Vision Pro hosts Ahoy!, a poignant storytelling experience
- Upload VR delivers its routine XR News Round-Up filled with various XR-related updates
For further exploration, check out:
- COLD VR
- Aces of Thunder
- Demeo
- Cave Crave
- Trailblazer
- Beyond Blue: After the Storm
- Darknet
- Craftarium
- Synth Riders
- Farming Simulator VR
- Owlchemy Labs
- Ahoy!
- XR News Round-Up
Content Spotlight
- Path of Fury: Episode I—Tetsuo’s Tower piques interest as Road To VR previews a rail-shooter style game with an 80s action twist that also offers a solid workout.
- StageTime VR appears to be laying the groundwork for an engaging multiplayer karaoke setup. It’s early days, but the team’s focus on spatial audio has sparked positive anticipation.
For reviews, visit:
Additional News
- The VR Games Showcase is set to return in March, boasting the largest lineup of XR Games yet!
- Learn more here.
- Mindshow debuts an enterprise-level virtual animation tool.
- Learn more here.
- XR4Europe publishes a series of comprehensive reports examining the XR landscape across European nations.
- Learn more here.
- XR Bootcamp launches a compelling comparison of all smartglasses currently on the market.
- Check the comparison spreadsheet and article.
- The Quest’s latest software version, v74, seems to tackle the unenviable job of making its interface even more cumbersome.
- Discover more here.
- Samsung trademarks “Beyond,” yet it seems unlikely they’ll name another headset the same.
- For insights, click here.
- Astronauts share how HTC headsets help combat isolation in outer space.
- For the full story, click here.
Partner and Friend News
Resurrection of Google Blocks: Enter Open Blocks
Icosa Foundation, famed for rejuvenating TiltBrush as Open Brush, now breathes new life into Google Blocks as Open Blocks. Utilizing Google’s original source code for Blocks, the new iteration is freely available on both Steam and the Horizon Store, with the project open-sourced on GitHub. Furthermore, Icosa is crafting a spiritual successor to Google Poly called Icosa Gallery. Icosa Foundation’s efforts are nothing short of remarkable!
Learn more from Reddit and Upload VR.
Lighthearted XR Fun
Here’s an amusing tidbit for you—a cave simulator that’s open to amusing misinterpretation. Check out the funny link!
Doing Good
As I wrap up, I’m asking something different this time around. Instead of contributions to my blog, consider donating to those affected by the war. The Red Cross is providing essential humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Your support could make a significant difference. Here’s the donation link:
Before I sign off, a heartfelt shout-out to my Patreon backers who keep this venture vibrant:
- Alex Gonzalez VR
- DeoVR
- GenVR
- Eduardo Siman
- Jonn Fredericks
- Jean-Marc Duyckaerts
- Reynaldo T Zabala
- Richard Penny
- Terry xR. Schussler
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- Immersive.international
- Nikk Mitchell and the amazing FXG team
- Jake Rubin
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- Marco “BeyondTheCastle” Arena
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Thank you, each and every one. Here’s where you can lend a hand:
(Header image by Meta)
