The XR Week Snapshot (2024.11.12): Surge in Smartglasses, Meta Reduces Game Funding, and More News!

Ah, the chill is creeping in as Chinese Singles’ Day wraps up—hope those celebrating are enjoying! As I savor my steaming mug of something warm, let’s dive into this week’s captivating dose of XR news!

Headline Highlights

The buzz around smartglasses is growing

Ray-Ban’s collaboration with Meta has set the stage, sparking a wave of enthusiasm across tech circles about smartglasses. Now, insiders report Apple is busy behind the scenes crafting its own version, aiming to rival Ray-Ban Meta by 2027. Though details are scant, rumor has it these glasses will feature smart environment recognition—a hint at their AI capabilities. Apple’s signature cool factor could make their entry into the smartglasses arena particularly compelling, especially compared to Meta’s fashion ally, Luxottica.

But Apple isn’t alone in this venture; Samsung and Google are also exploring this frontier. Meanwhile, Baidu—China’s equivalent of Google—is expected to reveal its own model at the Baidu World event in Shanghai soon. This gadget promises integrated cameras and voice interaction capabilities atop Baidu’s AI foundation.

Additionally, Meta is continuing to bolster its Ray-Ban Meta line, opening exclusive pop-up stores in Los Angeles until year’s end and planning a new location in Phoenix come January. These venues are more than just stores; they double as event spaces with lineups like stand-up comedy acts and hands-on workshops. So, are smartglasses the real deal or just another tech trend? We’ll have to wait to find out!

Find out more (Apple’s smartglasses) | (Baidu’s smartglasses) | (Meta’s pop-up stores).

Other Noteworthy News

Meta may be reducing its focus on gaming content

Word on the street is that Meta is shifting its XR content strategy, leaning towards lifestyle content over gaming. As a result, some gaming studios that relied on Meta’s funding, like Monks in the Netherlands and Atlas V in France, are now cutting back their workforce. It’s a tough shake-up for these creative teams. Yet, strategically speaking, this pivot might better align Meta with its goal of becoming a daily utility that surpass gaming consoles—more like a next-gen smartphone in essence.

Find out more

Quick Mentions

A DIY AR glasses project

Miroslav Kotalík is the mastermind behind some unique DIY AR glasses named Zero. Powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero, this prototype handles video, music, and even image displays. The upcoming version promises more, thanks to a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. Follow Miroslav on social media if you’re intrigued by this inventive journey.

Find out more (Reddit) | (Tom’s Hardware) | (Video) | (Miroslav’s profile).

Apple expands Vision Pro with a panoramic feature

Apple’s VisionOS 2.2 beta release introduces an "ultra-wide display" feature, transforming your Mac setup from the Vision Pro into an expansive virtual workspace—essentially two 4K monitors side-by-side. While reviews are positive, the lack of a native Mac window manager for ultra-wide displays is a noted hiccup.

Find out more (Road To VR) | (Upload VR) | (Hands-on reviews).

LIV Creator Kit for Quest

The new LIV Unity SDK allows VR creators on Quest to capture dynamic third-person footage independently from PCs. This feature is a great boon for developers aiming to generate video content with viral potential, such as the exciting update announced by Gorilla Tag.

Find out more

EgoTouch offers your palm as a touchscreen

Innovatively using your body as an interface, EgoTouch’s technology lets your palm act as a touchscreen, distinguishing between touch and pressure. It’s a step forward in creating authentic haptic feedback where virtual interactions feel palpable and real.

Find out more

Osmo’s scent teleportation breakthrough

Osmo claims a remarkable feat—digitizing and virtually "teleporting" scents. This process involves capturing a scent’s digital fingerprint and recreating it at a distant location. Though the current method is quite preliminary and costly, it’s a fascinating glimpse into possible future VR applications.

Find out more

Deals on the PlayStation Store

Heads up, gamers! The PlayStation Store is hosting a substantial sale with discounts on several PSVR 2 titles, some even hitting the 40% off mark. If you’ve been eyeing new additions to your collection, now’s a stellar time to snag them.

Find out more

Metro Awakening makes waves

Following the success of Batman: Arkham Shadow, Metro Awakening is grabbing headlines with its atmospheric adventures. Despite some gameplay nuances, like tricky item retrievals and occasional monotony, it’s praised for its immersive world and player-friendly updates, including a mode catering to arachnophobia.

Find out more (Road To VR) | (Upload VR) | (Arachnophobia mode) | (Developer interview).

djay app debuts on Meta Quest

Algoriddim brings its renowned djay app to Meta Quest, allowing users to tap into spatial DJing. Connect your DJ gear directly and mix tracks in a mixed reality environment—all while drawing from a library of 5000 tracks and syncing with major streaming platforms. Could this be your next party trick?

Find out more

Content Highlights

• Alien: Rogue Incursion is delayed on Quest 3/3S but still expected on other platforms this December.
• Human Within, a choice-driven VR film, is set to debut on Quest in January, with replayability promising varied endings.
• Heroes Battle: Darksword has launched, offering a free-to-play strategy experience.
• Nevrosa Rescape, a remake of a classic, is releasing next year.
• Vivarium and Wall Town Wonders are among other intriguing XR experiences coming your way.

Find out more about what’s launching and on sale (Alien: Rogue Incursion) | (Human Within) | (Heroes Battle: Darksword) | (Vivarium) | (Wall Town Wonders) | (Zombie Army VR) | (Squingle) | (CROWBAR CLIMBER) | (Strike Rush) | (XR News Bytes).

Experience Insight

• Human Fall Flat VR transitions the game’s quirky charm into VR.
• Dumb Ways: Free for All entertains with its playful humor.
• Living Room delivers a delightful AR pet experience.
• Underworld Overseer taps into the nostalgic vibes of classic dungeon games.

Find out more (Human Fall Flat) | (Dumb Ways Free For All) | (Living Room) | (Underworld Overseer).

Miscellaneous Tidbits

• Photon introduces a fresh multiplayer collaboration sample.
• There’s a budding petition to make Windows Mixed Reality open source—currently just over 3300 signatures.
• Welcome aboard to Julie Smithson, newly appointed CEO of METAVRSE.

Learn more

Community Connections

Join the MatchXR event! November 19th in Helsinki promises an insightful dive into the Nordic XR scene—come say hi if you’re around!

Check out the VR Jam with DeoVR! Taking place on November 13th in Slovenia, it’s packed with device tests, discussions, and VR fun. [Disclaimer: DeoVR is a blog patron.]

Learn more

No sponsorships today, just good vibes all around. Enjoy the life!

A Little XR Fun

• Developers might appreciate ChatGPT’s potential time-saving perks.
• Explore hilarious VR hair-combing strategies.
• Relate to gamer stereotypes in VR.
• Discover VR and AR’s "killer" applications.

Contribute to Good

This section often asks for support for the blog, but this week, like the past, it’s about something bigger. Consider donating to help the Ukrainian crisis through the Red Cross. Many thanks to all my Patreon supporters—I couldn’t do this without you!

Support The Red Cross in Ukraine

(Header image by Miroslav Kotalík)

Remember, this article features advertisements and affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, it helps support this blog at no extra cost to you. Joyfully sharing this journey with you all!