The XR Weekly Roundup (Nov. 5, 2024): Google Play Store Gears Up for XR, Meta Reality Labs Financials Unveiled, and More!

I’ve just returned from AWE Europe, and what an incredible experience it was! For anyone interested, I’ve penned a few pieces about my journey that you might find worth checking out.

Let’s dive into the week’s most intriguing XR news!

Top News of the Week

Google is Preparing the Play Store with XR Support for Samsung’s Headset

According to a report from Android Authority, Google is gearing up to introduce XR support in the Play Store. Code analyzing has unearthed an XR headset icon and mentions of XR compatibility in the latest versions of the store. While not publicly visible yet, these features hint at Google’s refreshed XR headset support, likely targeting the upcoming Samsung partnership headset. Notably absent from any Meta collaborations, these updates suggest Google and Samsung, along with Qualcomm, are forging ahead. A recent Samsung earnings call hinted at XR devices being a focal point for 2025, signaling that this long-anticipated device may finally make its debut then, even if earlier expectations pointed to a 2024 launch.

Want the full scoop? Check out detailed coverage on Road to VR, Upload VR, and insights into Samsung’s 2025 headset plans.

Other Relevant News

Meta Reality Labs: Growing Revenues but Also Growing Losses

Meta’s Q3 2024 financials are out, preceding the Quest 3s launch. The company reported revenues of $0.27 billion against an eye-watering $4.70 billion in losses. Interpretations of these figures vary wildly. Some are banging on about the $4.4 billion loss, while media like Upload VR see cause for optimism in the revenue rise compared to Q3 2023’s $0.21 billion. Yahoo, however, points out expectations were pegged at $0.31 billion, leaving revenues somewhat underwhelming. These debates surface quarterly with Meta pouring immense resources into XR, a venture they bank on becoming mainstream. While some critique wastefulness in spending, and call for optimization, such investments might eventually bear fruit when XR proliferates. For me, the real test is Q4 2024’s results, to gauge Quest 3S’s holiday season reception.

Catch deeper financial insights from Upload VR and Yahoo.

Apple’s Affordable Vision Pro May Be Delayed Beyond 2027

Prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now suggests the budget-friendly Apple Vision headset might miss its original timeline of 2027. The holdup? Apple’s scouring for ways to slash costs and solidify compelling user cases to justify the product’s price. Expectations for 2025 now only include an updated Vision Pro using the M5 chipset. While Kuo has a reputation for reliability, predictions from 2021 regarding Vision Pro sales numbers for 2023 and 2024 didn’t quite hit the mark, reinforcing skepticism about these forecasts. This delay has rattled the Apple XR camp, with many worried about the viability of diving into Apple’s XR ecosystem. From my decade-plus industry experience: anticipate longer waits than planned. Thus, pinning hopes on a single company or analyst’s forecast is never wise.

For further insights, peruse Ming-Chi Kuo’s predictions and community reactions to Apple’s strategic decisions.

Oasis: The Frontier of AI-Powered Open Worlds

Oasis is taking exploratory strides towards an all-AI rendition of the multiplayer Minecraft universe, eschewing traditional gaming engines. Developed by DecartAI with support from Sequoia Capital, this experimental game uses AI to autonomously generate advancements and visuals, marking a revolutionary leap in how games—and broader software applications—could one day be created. The project’s unveiling sparked spirited debate, especially after Epic’s Tim Sweeney labeled it unimpressive, stirring conversations across social media. As we observe how AI-enabled technology develops over the next decade, questions about its future capabilities remain. Presently, the AI manifests strange anomalies—stones morphing into sheep—but its potential evolution is anyone’s guess.

Explore more through project insights, a gameplay video, and Tim Sweeney’s commentary.

News Worth a Mention

Meta Ups the Ante with Quest 3s’ GPU Boost

Meta’s early holiday present comes in the form of a 16% GPU speed boost for the Quest 3 series, pushing the limits from 545MHz to 599MHz, promising enhanced gaming performance.

Niantic Releases New SPZ 3D Compression Format

In a move to optimize data storage, Niantic has open-sourced SPZ, a new 3D Gaussian Splats compression format akin to JPG, replacing PLY as the standard akin to PNG. With the format licensed under MIT, it’s now integrated into Unity, heralding potential adoption as a new industry norm.

ARM vs. Qualcomm: A Looming Legal Battle

ARM, which designs core architectures for most mobile and XR processors, is locking horns with Qualcomm over alleged licensing violations. With a trial on the horizon, the dispute could shake up the space, particularly with many VR headsets relying on Snapdragon chips.

Meta Horizon v71’s Suite of Updates

The impending Horizon v71 update is packed with enhancements, though none are revolutionary. Tweaks include revamped interface design, audio-to-expression AI, smoother passthrough, travel mode train support, Dolby audio, a calendar app, and more, aiming to refine user experience.

Somnium VR1 Begins Shipping

Finally, Somnium Space steps up, fulfilling its commitment by shipping the VR1 headset. A commendable achievement for the company.

XR at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024

SIGGRAPH continues to shine a spotlight on innovative XR research. This year’s Asian chapter XR reel showcases ground-breaking projects in the field.

Comic Con London 2024: XR Highlights

At the EGX & MCM Comic Con London, the VR Game Spotlight proudly featured up-and-coming VR games and updates, predominantly spotlighting indie developers.

Significant Content News

Selected outlets have sampled "Alien: Rogue Incursion," praising its high-quality narrative-driven horror gameplay with intelligent alien adversaries. Skydance’s Behemoth revealed new gameplay features in a sleek trailer, while Vertigo Games’ Metro Awakening snippet wows with stellar visual dynamics across VR platforms.

Check out more on Alien: Rogue Incursion, Behemoth, and Metro Awakening.

Content Developments

Engage in an array of VR offerings like the inventive Sight Unseen puzzle experience, VAIL VR’s reinvention as a free-to-play with DLC strategy, and loads more—from VR karaoke in Songbird to dino interactions in Dino Hab. Titles like the horror-infused Pulsargeist and supernatural Ghost Town are set to launch across major VR systems. Expect VR enhancements and game releases on the horizon too, demonstrating the industry’s varied and dynamic progress.

For details on these exciting updates, follow links for Vail VR, Last Stand, Songbird, and more.

Reviews on the Horizon

Phasmophobia on PSVR 2 delivers jump scares despite technical hiccups, while Blade and Sorcery Nomad’s campaign enriches a classic formula.

Learn more through Phasmophobia reviews and Blade and Sorcery: Nomad insights.

Other Happenings

Canon’s new lens system for spatial videos arrives this November at $449.99. Check out testing insights on devices like the MeganeX Superlight 8K from Ben Lang, Meta Orion from Marques Brownlee, and more. Upload VR returns with a fresh Winter Showcase, and a standout VR interactions thesis is making waves.

Community Updates

Projects from partners, such as MindPort’s AIXTRA, push forward VR training and interactions, while games like Devil’s Purge emerge on the market. Regardless of industry sponsorships, remember to indulge in something pleasant for yourself today.

Some XR Fun!

Have a laugh with VR in unusual places—Batman: Arkham, punk-rock aesthetics, and Fiverr inspired ads.

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Embark on this XR journey, and happy gaming!