I’ve just returned from Italy, feeling a bit worn out, but overall delighted. I trust you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your loved ones. For me, one reason to smile these days is the recognition I’ve received for my article on Android XR’s camera frame permissions. It’s been cited by notable outlets like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority! It’s thrilling to enjoy those fleeting moments in the spotlight 😊. Now, riding this wave of happiness, let’s dive into this week’s top XR news!
### Top News of the Week
#### Ray-Ban Meta Hits 2 Million Devices Sold
During EssilorLuxottica’s Q4 2024 earnings call this week, CEO Francesco Milleri highlighted the success of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, reporting 2 million units sold. This aligns with whispers I’ve heard in industry circles. The product is known for strong user retention, and strong sales numbers often indicate a product’s success.
Luxottica plans to ramp up production, aiming for over 10 million units by 2026. Ray-Ban Meta’s triumph has fueled excitement around smart glasses—at CES, I noticed numerous startups unveiling AI-driven smart glasses. We’re hearing buzz about major players like Apple and Samsung entering the arena. However, I’d caution against getting swept up in the hype. Ray-Ban Meta’s success leans heavily on the Ray-Ban brand and EssilorLuxottica’s vast network. Replicating this with other brands remains uncertain.
Looking at Luxottica’s production goals—though impressive, they’re not yet smartphone-scale. Adoption is gradually increasing, and I hope to see it validated by sustained market growth in the coming months.
Read more
### Other Relevant News
#### Meta’s Alleged Foray into Humanoid Robots
A Bloomberg report suggests Meta is venturing into humanoid robots, with its Reality Labs division handling development. This same team is behind XR headsets, and they’re working on AI-powered robots capable of tackling household tasks. The data from AR and VR headsets, along with Project Aria glasses, is invaluable for training these robots.
However, Meta doesn’t seem interested in building the robots themselves; likely a lesson learned from the costly hardware ventures. Instead, they plan to develop crucial AI systems, sensors, and software to enable other companies to manufacture and market their robotics.
Frankly, I’m puzzled by Meta’s rumored move. Entering another costly tech frontier amid ongoing XR challenges and financial losses seems unwise.
Read more
#### Apple’s Vision Pro Enhanced by Apple Intelligence
Another Bloomberg report indicates that Apple plans to integrate Apple Intelligence into its Vision Pro headset with a new guest user mode and spatial content app by April. This software update could roll out in beta to developers soon. Speculation is rife about Apple seeking Chinese partners for AI integration, with Tencent and Bytedance as contenders. The move pairs well with rumors of an M5 chipset-powered upgraded Vision Pro.
The Apple Intelligence feature could be significant, bolstering Apple’s stance against Google’s Gemini-integrated Android XR system. It’s clear competition is spurring quick advancements from giants like Meta, Apple, and Google.
Read more
#### AugmentOS: Simplifying Smartglasses Development
Mentra has introduced AugmentOS, a smartphone app for developing apps for smartglasses. With the AugmentOS SDK, developers create apps compatible with multiple smartglass models. Mentra’s partnership with Vuzix ensures compatibility with Vuzix Z100 and more. Although a video hints at Ray-Ban Meta compatibility, it’s not officially supported on their website.
I believe this initiative is promising—smart glass hype is real, but the development path isn’t straightforward. The fragmented ecosystem complicates cross-device app development. AugmentOS aims to solve this, and I’m eager to watch its adoption evolve.
For more on the Mentra and Vuzix partnership and AugmentOS, visit their official site.
### Noteworthy Mentions
#### PSVR 2’s Holiday Sales Surge
A major price cut from $550 to $350 propelled PSVR 2 sales in 2024. Amazon US sales charts reveal a fivefold increase during the 2024 holiday season compared to 2023. While not matching Quest’s numbers, they’re impressive. It remains uncertain what Sony’s long-term plans are for the headset, but a permanent price reduction could be game-changing.
Read more
#### Anduril Takes Charge of the IVAS Project
Palmer Luckey’s defense firm, Anduril, is now at the helm of the IVAS project, a responsibility previously held by Microsoft, which will continue providing Azure cloud support. Microsoft’s modified HoloLens didn’t meet military requirements, but Luckey’s project, aiming for a better fit, promises high expectations. With Luckey’s bold proclamation as the world’s best head-mounted-display designer, the stakes are high for the new headset.
For more insights, check out articles from Road To VR and Upload VR.
#### Wonderland Cloud: Optimizing WebXR Hosting
Create Worlds is enhancing the WebXR experience with Wonderland Cloud, a specialized hosting service. It includes WebXR app hosting alongside multiplayer and spatialized multiplayer voice chat services. This development streamlines creating WebXR applications, reminiscent of the streamlined functionality Aspires for WebXR platforms.
For details about Create Worlds and Wonderland Cloud, explore their platforms.
#### RTX 5090 vs RTX 4090: Performance Showdown
Recently, YouTubers conducted performance comparisons between NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 and RTX 4090, focusing on VR experiences. As expected, the newer model demonstrated superior capabilities.
For comparison details, check the analysis videos.
#### Explore Over 50 VR Communities
In an insightful article, Bobby Carlton highlights the thriving VR communities among adults over 50. Even amidst the focus on younger generations and games like Gorilla Tag, there remains a vibrant, cross-generational community engaging with VR technology, gravitating towards fitness and social applications.
Read more
#### Witness an NBA Game on Your Desk
The NBA app for Apple Vision Pro introduces ‘Tabletop,’ a miniature, 3D live game representation on your table. It’s astonishing, thanks to special stadium cameras. Although I find it intriguing, a full-game experience is better on a large screen. As a supplementary feature, it’s outstanding.
Read more
#### Discover Horizon Store Savings
The Quest Store’s sale is underway until February 23, featuring discounts on renowned titles like Among Us VR, Ultrawings 2, and LEGO Bricktales.
Learn more
#### First Hand-Tracked Game on PSVR 2
Quietly, Sony introduced hand-tracking for PSVR 2 in December, with Waltz Of The Wizard being the first game to leverage this feature in a free update. The PS5’s processing power ensures high-quality hand-tracking, complementing the game’s magical combat system exquisitely. In certain aspects, hand tracking even surpasses the Quest’s performance.
For more details on Waltz of the Wizard’s update, check Road To VR and Upload VR.
#### Content Updates and Reveals
Skydance’s game Behemoth received a substantial update, fixing over 700 bugs and improving overall gameplay. Meanwhile, while Alien Rogue Incursion launched on Quest, lighting issues impaired its atmosphere. Survios promises a patch next week.
Into The Radius 2 is coming in Early Access to Quest in Q2 2025, priced at $39.99.
For more on these updates and launches, check the corresponding info pages.
#### Ready At Dawn’s Unseen VR Masterpiece
This week revealed that Ready At Dawn was working on an innovative VR game before Meta dissolved the team. RAD cofounder Andrea Pessino stated it might have been one of the most groundbreaking VR games ever. Given their success with games like Lone Echo, this claim holds water. Unfortunately, costs and potential returns likely led Meta to shutter the project.
Read more
#### New Content Announcements
Several new VR titles have emerged:
– Exploration game The Midnight Walk debuts on PSVR 2 and PC VR on May 8th, 2025, priced at $40.
– Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic heads to PS5 and PC on June 13th. PSVR 2 support is uncertain.
– Onward is gearing up for a significant 2.0 update.
– Selina: Mind at Large launches on Quest on February 20.
– Dreams of Another forges a creative path on PSVR 2 with innovative graphics.
– Resist receives enhancements for PSVR 2.
– Jeff Minter and Atari are revamping I, Robot for PSVR 2.
– DodgeCraft tests your reflexes as it’s available on Quest and PSVR 2.
– StellarPlans hits Quest on March 7.
– Tactical VR shooter Tier One: Direct Action launches on Quest next week.
– Mixed Reality puzzle game WET has a temporary free release on the Quest store.
– Upload VR’s XR News Round-Up encapsulates minor XR updates.
Discover more about these new releases and updates in each section.
#### Content Critiques
– Stupid Cars, though simple, brings delightful fun by letting you direct traffic speeds.
– TouchDesk serves as a compelling application for Apple Vision Pro, offering finger-based desk drawing without hogging spatial experience resources.
Explore more on these applications.
### Additional Tidbits
– John Carmack’s efforts to make community Doom and Quake ports official were unsuccessful.
– Dbrand revealed a unique protective faceplate for Apple Vision Pro.
– Crytek and Unity announced layoffs.
– Horizon Worlds added fantastical avatars.
– A new universal VR mod for Godot debuted.
– A developer crafted a tool to visualize Blender 3D models on Quest 3 in mixed reality.
– RotoVR’s flying modification impressed viewers this week.
Peruse these intriguing stories for further insights.
### Partner Updates
– Prima Immersive unveiled unparalleled video quality on Apple Vision Pro. The Spatialists released their debut series, Sessions, with top-tier visual fidelity using the unique Prima Encoder, optimized for Apple Vision Pro. Their immersive videos push beyond existing standards with remarkable clarity.
Explore more about The Spatialists and check out Upload VR’s first-hand impressions.
– Aviar now provides VR training in a self-contained “box” for seamless setup and learning experiences in aviation.
Learn more about Aviar’s innovative offering.
– Vivian Chazen is currently fundraising on Kickstarter for The Petty Playbook. Though not VR-related, it’s a fun puzzle book aimed at those dealing with dating woes. Consider supporting.
Discover more about the project.
### Some XR Fun
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a virtual twist: a funny alternative way linked here.
– Amusing mishaps of moving too much in VR.
– Speculation on Horizon Worlds ad quality, potentially a VRChat prank.
– The folly of splurging on VR gear.
Explore these amusing VR scenarios here.
### Donate for a Cause
This week, I’d rather you consider donating to those affected by ongoing conflicts than to my blog. The Red Cross is actively working on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Below is the link to contribute. A heartfelt thanks to my Patreon supporters who make my work possible:
[List of Patreon Supporters]
Here’s how you can support The Red Cross.
(Header image credit: Meta)
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