This week has been really exciting because I just announced that I’m heading to CES in January for the very first time! I’m diving into the preparations and have already started scheduling sessions to try out some AR/VR glasses. If you’re planning to attend too, I’d love to hear from you! And any tips on making the most of CES would be greatly appreciated. I can’t wait to bring you along on this adventure with all the experiences I gather. But for now, let’s dive into the top XR news from this week… along with a little giveaway!
Top News of the Week
Google Announced Android XR
This week, we received groundbreaking news with Google announcing Android XR. This new operating system is set to power a range of XR devices, from mixed reality headsets to AR glasses. The first of these is the mixed-reality headset Google is developing with Samsung and Qualcomm, known as Project Moohan. Other partners like XREAL, Sony, and Lynx are also in the mix, creating devices compatible with this system.
In exclusive demos, Google showcased Android XR on both monocular and binocular smart glasses alongside Project Moohan. A standout feature is the integration of Gemini AI, which enhances the device’s capabilities in both virtual and real settings. Imagine holding a restaurant’s business card in view and asking Gemini AI to pull up its location on a 3D Google Map. In addition, the AI can live-translate foreign speech, and remembers actions from the last 10 minutes, which raises some privacy concerns, though it’s undeniably handy.
Other appealing features include automatic conversion of photos and videos to 3D, and multimodal input options (controllers, hands, eyes, voice). For now, announced content includes G-suite and games like Demeo and Vacation Simulator, with more expected. Developers can already explore a development preview for this system in native, Unity, and WebXR environments.
As for Project Moohan, specifics are sparse: it combines elements from the Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro, featuring an external battery, high-definition displays, and impressive passthrough capabilities. The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 chipset and will have controllers ready by 2025 when the headset is launched.
This entry by Google brings validation and competition to the XR field, benefitting everyone involved. Let’s hope it doesn’t end in Google’s notorious project graveyard.
Find out more (My detailed Android XR roundup)
Find out more (Ben Lang’s editorial on Android XR vs Horizon OS)
Other Relevant News
Latest Quest Update: Hand Tracking, Windows 11 Pairing, and More
Meta’s latest update, version 72 for Quest, has introduced some noteworthy features:
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Hand Tracking: It’s now at v2.3, offering enhanced reactivity and performance, even in enclosed environments like travel mode.
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Windows Mixed Reality Link: With a simple setup, Quest 3 and 3S users can now seamlessly connect to a Windows 11 PC just by looking at it, similar to the Vision Pro’s connection with Macs. This improvement greatly aids productivity, though Apple’s version still has a slight edge.
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Keyboard Tracking and Passthrough: You can now track all keyboards and see them in passthrough mode.
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Media Gallery: A new app to view and manage your media content.
- VR Home Environment: Entering the home environment in VR no longer requires boundary setup thanks to a static boundary assumption, offering a more seamless experience.
Other smaller updates include Direct Messages for Instagram.
The Windows 11 connectivity is a personal favorite, as it’s reminiscent of the praise the Mac connection received with Vision Pro. I’m eager to give this a try.
Find out more (Meta Quest runtime v72 — Road To VR)
Find out more (Meta Quest runtime v72 — Upload VR)
Find out more (How to connect Quest with a Windows 11 PC)
News Worth a Mention
Omdia Forecasts a Negative 2025 for XR
Omdia’s recent report casts a shadow over the XR market’s immediate future. It anticipates a 10% drop in headset sales in 2024, down to 6.9 million units from 7.7 million in 2023. The downturn is expected to persist through 2025, with hopes for recovery by 2026. I believe their predictions for 2025 are spot-on, but I’ve noticed a slow, steady growth since 2023. Consider the popularity of Ray-Ban Meta and the debut of Android XR. It seems perspective really matters here.
Read more (Financial Times)
Read more (LinkedIn)
How Gorilla Tag Became a Huge Hit
JP Minetos, an XR investor, delves into Gorilla Tag’s rise to success in an insightful Road To VR article. Key to its appeal are the social mechanics, unique locomotion, and meme-worthy aspects.
Details: Explore further
A Great Deal on Quest 3S
The Quest 3S (256 GB) is currently on sale on Amazon US and other markets for $400, with a $30 digital Amazon credit. If you haven’t grabbed one yet, this offer runs until Christmas.
Details: Learn more
Batman: Arkham Shadow Wins Best VR/AR Game Award
At The Game Awards, Camouflaj’s Batman: Arkham Shadow clinched the Best VR/AR Game Award, a well-deserved win for its impact in the VR community.
Watch the moment
Read more (Meta blog post)
Content News
- Fallout London VR is bringing VR support to the expansive DLC.
- Path of Fury: Episode I — Tetsuo’s Tower is an upcoming VR action game priced at $9.99.
- Bridge Constructor in XR is now available for $10.
- Behemoth has launched a large patch for bug fixes and combat rebalancing.
- Clone Drone in the Hyperdome is ready for VR users on Steam and Meta at $20.
- Realize Music: Sing, a wellness app merging rhythm gaming and VR, launches January 23, 2025, on Meta Quest.
- Panic Room MR offers hair-raising mixed-reality horror on Quest 3 & 3S for $5.
- X8 Contra: Super Wall Storm, a crossover game, is priced at $20 on Horizon Store and Steam.
- Crystal Commanders, a strategy game, releases on Quest in February 2025.
- Mecha Force, inspired by notable anime, is available for early access with a free demo.
- DodgeCraft, a new sports training game in VR, is now live on Quest.
- Beyond Blue: After the Storm offers an immersive ocean exploration in VR.
- Human Fall Flat VR’s experimental mode can now be tested in Steam’s beta version.
- Upload VR offers its usual XR News Round-Up with smaller updates.
Learn more: Fallout London VR, Path Of Fury, Bridge Constructor, Behemoth, Clone Drome In The Hyperdome, Realize Music: Sing, Panic Room, X8 Contra: Super Wall Storm, Crystal Commanders, Mecha Force, DodgeCraft, Beyond Blue: After The Storm, Human Fall Flat VR, XR News Round-Up
Reviews of Some Content
- Metamorphosis VR: Interesting ideas with good visuals, but lacks polish.
- Action Hero: Offers a fresh perspective on SuperHot mechanics, welcoming for both newcomers and veterans.
- Home Sports: Fun in a group but lacks depth in individual sports.
- Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon: Puts a family-friendly spin on the zombie game genre.
Details (Metamorphosis VR), Details (Action Hero), Details (Home Sports), Details (Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon)
Other News
- Rob Cole offers a detailed review of the Pimax Crystal Light.
- Norman Mueller summarizes recent updates on smartglasses and AR glasses.
- Apple introduces the Ultrawide Virtual Display for Vision Pro in VisionOS 2.2.
- NeoGrip offers affordable open-source controllers for VR headsets.
- Unity is accepting applications for its Humanity 2025 grant.
- Into The Scaniverse provides access to places reconstructed with Gaussian Splats on WebXR.
News From Partners (and Friends)
You can now invest in Vitruvian VR, a startup pushing the limits of virtual reality with a 6DOF motion simulator. They’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign, with a minimum investment of €250. Check out my review to see what makes this project extraordinary. Learn more, Read my review
Iron Rebellion Giveaway Alert!
For fans of mecha games, Iron Rebellion, inspired by Titanfall and Hawken, is here on Quest and Steam. I have a couple of Steam keys to give away:
- RBQ6Q-5LEEE-C0BW2
- 7HWWY-M8K6E-9W0EF
Hurry! First come, first served. If you miss out, consider supporting the developers by purchasing the game. Learn more about Iron Rebellion
Some XR Fun
- The hypothetical camera configurations of Quest 4: Check it out!
- A virtual reality comic with chickens: Laugh here!
- The unspoken Fight Club rule…: Discover it here!
Donate for Good
As last week, I’m urging you to lend a helping hand to those affected by war. Consider donating to the Red Cross to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Below is the link to contribute. Meanwhile, a heartfelt thanks to all my Patreon supporters for their continued generosity:
Patreon Supporters: Alex Gonzalez VR, DeoVR, GenVR, and many more wonderful contributors.
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
Header image by Google
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