The XR Weekly Review (January 21, 2025): XR Autumn Developments, Windows 11 Ends WMR Support, and More!

I can definitely vouch for what people call "CES sickness," as it seems to linger longer than one would hope. But despite battling this cold, my desire to keep you updated on the latest in XR is alive and well! Here’s a week’s worth of XR news you’re going to want to sink your teeth into.

Top News of the Week

The Continuing Autumn of XR

It’s not the brightest season for immersive realities. The market seems to be at a standstill, making business growth a tough nut to crack. While we all believe AR/VR is the future, currently, it’s still a niche area. I dove into this in a prior article, scrutinizing the state of our industry.

This week brought several stories that echo my earlier sentiments:

• The team behind PowerWash Simulator VR has decided to halt updates just 14 months after launch because development costs are outstripping revenue.
• Soul Assembly, makers of Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, is cutting 15% of its workforce.
• Downloads for the Meta Horizon app dipped by 27% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Omdia and Sensor Tower. This downturn might stem from a lack of compelling reasons for Quest 2 users to upgrade to newer versions.
• Counterpoint research highlights a 4% decline in the global VR market in Q3 2024 versus the same quarter in 2023.
• Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida expressed regret over some of his predictions for PS VR2.
• The F.Reality podcast bid farewell after an impressive seven-year run.
• In light of these developments, Blair Renaud, developer of LOW-FI, took to X to express his concerns about the industry’s future. He’s not alone in feeling adrift on this uncertain journey.

While the landscape seems challenging, glimmers of positivity are emerging:

• Forbes shed light on how the young generation favors the metaverse over traditional social media.
• The same Counterpoint study notes that Apple Vision Pro shipments have exceeded initial forecasts, particularly internationally.
• Beat Saber is reportedly nearing the sale of 10 million copies on Quest alone.

It’s becoming evident that the next few years are going to be challenging for XR. CES didn’t reveal any major tech shifts in AR/VR except possibly in smartglasses. By sharing the good news, I aim to show that hope exists and things will eventually improve, albeit slowly. Until then, we have to persevere.

Other Relevant News

Microsoft Forces the Windows 11 24H2 Update

It’s time to embrace the unavoidable: the 24H2 update for Windows 11 is here, whether you like it or not. Microsoft’s decision to enforce this on certain versions means that Windows Mixed Reality support is disappearing, effectively turning those headsets into decorative tech pieces. If you’ve managed to sidestep this update until now, brace yourself, as this is particularly challenging with the Home edition. There are some workarounds if you have a Pro version or your PC is under enterprise governance. I empathize deeply with all WMR users caught in this crossfire.

ASUS Unveils New Trailer for AirVision M1 Glasses

ASUS just dropped an impressive trailer for their AirVision M1 smart glasses. While they’ve been around since CES 2024, they’re new to me, and I thought I’d pass on what I’ve learned. These 3DOF glasses offer a virtual screen experience with 1100 nits of brightness, 60% lens transparency, and built-in speakers. They connect to Windows PCs and Rog Ally handheld consoles, weighing in at just 87g. Coupled with their companion app, they offer a virtual multi-screen setup. They’re priced at $700, positioning them slightly above the $600 XREAL One Pro.

Quick Mentions

• Palmer Luckey’s Upcoming Revelation: In response to Blair Renaud’s concerns, Palmer Luckey hinted at a new VR-related announcement in the coming weeks. Speculations include a military VR headset teased at AWE or perhaps something entirely different.
• Somnium Space Increases Headset Prices: Finding production challenges, Somnium Space has raised the cost of their headsets by €5-700, with new prices outlined as such: Visionary Edition at €3000, Titan Edition at €3400, and Ultimate Edition at €4300, all excluding VAT.
• Meta and Plessey’s Red MicroLED Breakthrough: Meta, in partnership with Plessey, announced they’ve created "the world’s brightest" red microLED display for AR glasses, a significant development for devices meant to be worn outdoors.
• Ray-Ban Meta Glasses and Chess: Developers Caden Li and Eddy Xu have innovatively used Ray-Ban Meta glasses to assist players with AI-driven chess strategies, showcasing the potential of AI and smart glasses collaborations.

Content Highlights

• New Releases and Updates: GRIM, a survival game inspired by Rust, has hit early access on Quest and SteamVR; Tablecraft promises a VR sandbox experience with a mad science flair; Lovesick and Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon are launching soon on Meta Quest, with further developments, including a surprise update for Firewall Ultra.

Other News

• Meta’s App Removal Stirs Discontent: Developers and users were left disgruntled when Meta pulled their achievement-viewing app.
• Strange Discoveries: Keep an eye out for the peculiar LED near the Quest 3S cameras.
• The Visor Headset’s Ongoing Drama: Enthusiastic reviews clash with controversy over Discord bans for release date inquiries.

Partners and Friends

Join in a workshop exploring the musical metaverse at the IEEE International Symposium on the Internet of Sounds in L’Aquila, Italy, from October 29th to 31st. This event seeks to bridge academia and industry, focusing on Musical XR systems, digital twins for musical applications, and more. If this speaks to your research interests, submit your work and connect with peers.

Fun and Charity

Here’s a light-hearted take on Meta hardware vs. software and a humorous preview of future Quest devices. Meanwhile, this week, let’s shift focus from supporting my blog to aiding those affected by the war in Ukraine. Please consider donating to the Red Cross to help those in need. A big thank you to all my Patreon supporters—you’re amazing and make what I do possible.

And as promised, here’s the link to extend your goodwill: [Support The Red Cross in Ukraine].

(Header image derived from a Microsoft source)

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