The XR Weekly Roundup (Dec 16, 2024): Introduction of Android XR, Samsung Unveils New Headset, and More!

This week has been quite an exciting one for me as I’ve announced my plans to attend CES in January—my inaugural visit! I’m already knee-deep in trip arrangements, setting up all kinds of meetings to explore AR and VR glasses. If you’re also going to be there, give me a shout, and if you have any tips on making the most of CES, I’m all ears! I’m looking forward to sharing all the highlights of my experience with you. For now, let’s dive into this week’s most exciting XR news, plus a special giveaway!

Top News of the Week

An image of the week came from Google, marking a significant announcement: the introduction of Android XR. This new operating system by Google is set to power a range of XR devices, from mixed reality headsets to AR glasses, and smart glasses alike. The first device to support it is the mixed-reality headset Google is developing with Samsung and Qualcomm, currently code-named Project Moohan. Collaborators like XREAL, Sony, and Lynx are also on board, working on new devices that will join this ecosystem.

Google recently showcased this OS to select members of the press, demonstrating Project Moohan, along with both monocular and binocular smart glasses. A standout feature of Android XR is its deep integration of artificial intelligence. The Gemini AI, a core part of the system, actively engages with your environment, ready to assist you at a moment’s notice. For example, it can transform a restaurant’s business card into a 3D location on Google Maps, or provide live translations through smart glasses. It’s incredibly handy, yet also raises some privacy concerns.

Beyond this, Android XR brings other noteworthy features, like automatic conversion of photos and videos to 3D, multimodal input supporting various commands, and G-suite and gaming content including Demeo and Vacation Simulator. Developers interested in exploring this new terrain can access a preview of the development environment for native, Unity, and WebXR applications.

As for Project Moohan, details remain quite mysterious—it seems like a hybrid between Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro with its external battery, high-definition displays, and sophisticated passthrough technology. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 chipset, with controllers anticipated in 2025, coinciding with the headset’s release. This move by Google injects fresh energy and competition into the XR space, which could be promising for all involved. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up abandoned in a few years.

For those wanting to dive deeper, see my detailed roundup on Android XR and Ben Lang’s editorial comparing Android XR to Horizon OS.

Other Relevant News

Meta has rolled out runtime v72 for Quest, presenting several intriguing updates:

• Hand tracking has been upgraded to v2.3, offering improved responsiveness, especially in enclosed settings like travel mode.
• The Windows Mixed Reality Link has gone live. With a specific setup, Quest 3 and 3S users can connect to their Windows 11 PC by simply glancing at it, similar to how Vision Pro integrates with Macs. This feature is great for productivity, though Apple still maintains a slight edge.
• The system now tracks keyboards, showing them through passthrough.
• A new Media Gallery app allows users to enjoy media content on their devices.
• Entering the VR home environment no longer requires setting up a boundary, creating a seamless transition into VR home space.

There are also small tweaks like adding Direct messages to Instagram apps. My favorite upgrade is the Windows 11 integration—I’m eager to see how it measures up against the Mac connection offered by Vision Pro.

For more information, check the Meta Quest runtime v72 articles on Road To VR and Upload VR, and see how to connect the Quest with a Windows 11 PC.

News Worth a Mention

Omdia has issued a rather downbeat report on the XR market, with projections of a 10% dip in headset sales from 2023 to 2024, and further declines expected in 2025, though a rebound is anticipated by 2026. While I agree on a less-than-bright outlook for 2025, the industry seems to have been inching upwards since 2023, considering successes like Ray-Ban Meta and Google’s Android XR release.

For more insights, check out discussions about Omdia’s report on both the Financial Times and LinkedIn.

JP Minetos shares an engaging piece on Road To VR about how "Gorilla Tag" became a sensation, due to its social dynamics, unique locomotion, and viral appeal.

If you’re considering hardware, the Quest 3S (256 GB) is on sale on Amazon US and other regions, priced at $400 with an additional $30 digital Amazon credit, available until Christmas.

Meanwhile, "Batman: Arkham Shadow" clinches the Best VR/AR Game Award at The Game Awards—a recognition hardly unexpected given its impact and excellence in the VR realm.

On the content side:

• "Fallout London VR" is working to add VR support to the expansive DLC.
• "Path of Fury: Episode I — Tetsuo’s Tower," an ’80s kung-fu inspired on-rails action VR game, is slated for early 2025.
• "Bridge Constructor" goes XR for $10.
• A major patch for "Behemoth" addresses bugs and game balance.
• "Clone Drone in the Hyperdome" is now released and available on Steam and Meta.

Plenty of other titles, apps, and updates have also rolled out. For the full list, check the XR News Round-Up.

Some Reviews About Content

• "Metamorphosis VR" showcases an intriguing idea with good visuals but lacks polish.
• "Action Hero" brings a refreshing spin to SuperHot mechanics, approachable for newcomers and thrilling for experienced players.
• "Home Sports" offers a fun mix of sports in VR, though the games feel somewhat shallow.
• "Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon" adds a entertaining, family-friendly twist to the classic zombie theme.

For detailed insights, read more on each of these reviews.

Other News

Rob Cole provides a comprehensive review of the Pimax Crystal Light, and Norman Mueller has summarized the latest in smartglasses and AR glasses. Meanwhile, Apple unveils an Ultrawide Virtual Display feature in VisionOS 2.2.

Unity has opened applications for its Humanity 2025 grant, and Into The Scaniverse takes you to world reconstructions using Gaussian Splats.

News from Partners (and Friends)

Interested in investment opportunities? Vitruvian VR is open for crowdfunding, offering a chance to be part of an innovative startup setting the stage for full-body VR experiences. Learn more through their crowdfunding page, or my in-depth review.

Are you a fan of mecha games? You might love "Iron Rebellion," a homage to Titanfall and Hawken, recently launched on Quest and Steam. We have a few keys up for grabs, so act fast!

Some XR Fun

Enjoy a lighter touch with fun XR-related content such as imagined Quest 4 camera configurations, a virtual reality comic featuring chickens, and a nod to the iconic "Fight Club."

Donate for Good

This week, I once again urge readers to contribute to those affected by war by donating to the Red Cross. Your support is invaluable. I also extend heartfelt thanks to my Patreon donors, whose generosity continues to power this work. A special recognition to all contributors who have made extensive efforts to back this journey.

Finally, here’s the link to support the Red Cross’s efforts in Ukraine.

(Header image courtesy of Google)

Disclaimer: This blog features advertisements and affiliate links. Clicking through these links would bring me a small commission, for which I’d be grateful. You can check out the full disclosure here.