The XR Weekly Roundup (December 16, 2024): Unveiling Android XR, Samsung’s Headset Reveal, and Other Highlights!

This week has been an exciting one for me, as I’ve announced that I’m heading to CES this January! It’s my first time attending, and I’m diving into trip planning and setting up some appointments to try out AR/VR glasses. If you’re going to be there, reach out! And hey, if you’ve got any tips on how to make the most of CES, I’d love to hear them. I can’t wait to tell you all about my experience. For now, though, let’s dive into the top XR news of the week… and there’s a giveaway, too!

Top news of the week

Google announced Android XR

The standout news this week, arguably for the entire year, is Google unveiling Android XR. This new operating system is designed to power XR devices across the board—from mixed reality headsets to smart glasses. The first device to support it will be a mixed-reality headset Google is developing with Samsung and Qualcomm, dubbed Project Moohan. Other partners, including XREAL, Sony, and Lynx, are also working on devices compatible with Android XR.

Google has already demonstrated its OS to select press members, showcasing its integration in devices like Project Moohan and both monocular and binocular smart glasses. A key highlight of Android XR, and its demos, is the integration of AI. The Gemini AI assistant is heavily embedded into the OS, keeping track of what you’re doing in both physical and virtual environments and stepping in to offer guidance when needed. Imagine someone showing you a restaurant’s business card; you can ask Gemini AI to pull up the location on a 3D Google Maps. You can then inspect the virtual place and inquire about it, with Gemini AI providing information. Moreover, if you’re in a foreign country with smartglasses, Gemini can translate live conversations for you. The assistant stores memories of the recent 10 minutes, so you can revisit past interactions. While incredibly practical, it does raise some privacy concerns.

There are several other cool features in Android XR. It can automatically convert photos and videos to 3D, and it supports multimodal input—via controllers, hands, eyes, or voice. Currently, announced content includes the G-suite and games like Demeo and Vacation Simulator, with more to come. Developers can access a preview of the development environment for native, Unity, and WebXR.

As for Project Moohan, details are sparse. It appears to be a blend of the Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro, featuring an external battery, high-def displays, and a detailed passthrough. The chipset is the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2, and controllers are expected in 2025 when the headset is set to launch. Google entering the XR arena adds fresh validation and competition, which is fantastic for everyone. Fingers crossed it doesn’t end up in Google’s digital graveyard.

More info (My detailed roundup on Android XR with many reference links) More info (Ben Lang’s editorial about Android XR vs Horizon OS)

Other relevant news

Latest Quest update improves hand tracking, Windows 11 pairing, and more

Meta is rolling out the runtime v72 for Quest, introducing some noteworthy features:

• Hand tracking is now at v2.3, enhancing responsiveness and performance, especially in confined environments like travel mode.
• Windows Mixed Reality Link is live. Quest 3 and 3S users, upon setup, can simply look at their Windows 11 PC, and the headset will prompt an automatic connection, paralleling Vision Pro’s integration with Mac. You can then operate your computer on a massive virtual display. It’s great for productivity, though Apple’s version is still ahead.
• The system now tracks all keyboards and displays them using passthrough.
• A new Media Gallery app now lets you enjoy media on your device.
• Entering your VR home doesn’t require boundary setup anymore, assuming a static one, allowing seamless access.

Some minor updates, like Direct messages on Instagram, are also included.

The Windows 11 connection piques my interest the most. Many have praised the Mac connection with Vision Pro, and I can’t wait to experience the PC counterpart.

More info (Meta Quest runtime v72 — Road To VR) More info (Meta Quest runtime v72 — Upload VR) More info (Connecting the Quest with Windows 11 PC)

News worth a mention

Omdia forecasts a negative 2025 for XR

Omdia released a downbeat report on the XR market, revealing a 10% drop in headset sales from 2023 to 6.9 million units in 2024 and predicting a continued decline in 2025, but with a rebound in 2026. While the report anticipates a less-than-bright 2025, I sense the industry has been steadily growing since 2023, evidenced by successes like Ray-Ban meta and Android XR’s debut. Perceptions might vary.

More info (Financial Times post about Omdia’s report) More info (LinkedIn post about Omdia’s report)

How Gorilla Tag became a huge hit

XR investor JP Minetos penned an insightful piece on Road To VR, diving into how Gorilla Tag skyrocketed to fame. Its social mechanics, unique locomotion, effortless playability, and meme-ability were pivotal.

A good deal on Quest 3S

Currently, the Quest 3S (256 GB) is available on Amazon US and other regions for $400, with a $30 digital Amazon credit. If you haven’t snagged the Quest 3S yet, this deal lasts through Christmas.

Batman: Arkham Shadow wins the Best VR/AR Game Award

Camouflaj’s Batman: Arkham Shadow clinched the Best VR/AR Game Award at The Game Awards. Given its impressive impact on the VR community, this win isn’t much of a surprise.

Some news about content

• Fallout London VR looks to bring VR support to the ambitious ‘Fallout: London’ DLC.
• Path of Fury: Episode I — Tetsuo’s Tower, an upcoming VR action game, hits Quest 2/3/Pro in early 2025 at $9.99.
• Bridge Constructor’s XR edition offers the iconic bridge-building challenge for $10.
• Behemoth’s first major patch addresses numerous bugs and rebalances combat, amid mixed reviews.
• Clone Drone in the Hyperdrome, Doborog Games’ VR sequel, is now on Steam and Meta for $20.
• Realize Music: Sing launches on Meta Quest on January 23, 2025, combining rhythm games, meditative self-care, and VR.
• Panic Room MR unleashes spiders and demons into your home on Quest 3 & 3S, priced at $5.
• X8 Contra: Super Wall Storm, a paid crossover between Konami’s Contra and VR hero shooter X8, is out for $20 on the Horizon Store and Steam.
• Crystal Commanders, a VR and mixed-reality real-time strategy game, lands on Quest on February 27, 2025.
• Mecha Force, inspired by Shin Getter Robo and Gurren Lagann, is now in early access on Quest, with a free demo.
• DodgeCraft, a VR sports training game, tests your reflexes with two modes, and it’s now available on Quest.
• Beyond Blue: After the Storm, an underwater narrative experience, offers standalone VR ocean exploration.
• Human Fall Flat VR’s prototype first-person game mode is in beta on Steam.
• The usual XR News Round-Up post by Upload VR shares minor XR news snippets.

More info (Fallout London VR) More info (Path Of Fury) More info (Bridge Constructor) More info (Behemoth) More info (Clone Drome In The Hyperdrome) More info (Realize Music: Sing) More info (Panic Room) More info (X8 Contra: Super Wall Storm) More info (Crystal Commanders) More info (Mecha Force) More info (DodgeCraft) More info (Beyond Blue: After The Storm) More info (Human Fall Flat VR) More info (XR News Round-Up)

Some reviews about content

• Metamorphosis VR: A novel concept with great visuals, though it feels somewhat unpolished.
• Action Hero: Offers a fresh take on SuperHot mechanics. Suitable for both VR newcomers and seasoned players alike.
• Home Sports: A fun virtual and mixed reality sports collection, albeit lacking depth in its games.
• Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon: A comedic, family-friendly twist on the zombie-killing genre.

More info (Metamorphosis VR) More info (Action Hero) More info (Home Sports) More info (Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon)

Other news

• Rob Cole has published an extensive review of the Pimax Crystal Light.
• Norman Mueller has summarized the latest on smartglasses and AR glasses.
• Apple introduces Ultrawide Virtual Display for Vision Pro in VisionOS 2.2.
• NeoGrip offers affordable open-source custom controllers for standalone VR headsets.
• Unity’s Humanity 2025 grant applications are now open.
• Into The Scaniverse allows access to global locations reconstructed via Gaussian Splats in WebXR.

News from partners and friends

Invest in Vitruvian VR!

Vitruvian Virtual Reality, known for their innovative full-body simulator controller, has started a crowdfunding campaign. With a minimum investment of €250, you can join their journey. I’ve reviewed their simulator, and it’s worth checking out. Learn more (Crowdfunding page) Learn more (My review of Vitruvian)

Iron Rebellion keys giveaway!

Love mecha games? Iron Rebellion is a tribute to Titanfall and Hawken that’s available on Quest and Steam. The developers have kindly provided me with some Steam keys! Grab them quickly: RBQ6Q-5LEEE-C0BW2 7HWWY-M8K6E-9W0EF. If you missed out, consider purchasing it to support the developers. Learn more (Iron Rebellion on Steam and Horizon Store)

Some XR fun

• Check out potential camera configurations for Quest 4 [Funny link]
• Enjoy a witty comic featuring chickens and virtual reality [Funny link]
• Remember the first rule of Fight Club? [Funny link]

Donate for good

Instead of asking for donations to my blog this week, I urge you to consider supporting those affected by the war. Contributions to the Red Cross could greatly assist the current humanitarian effort in Ukraine. The link to donate is provided below. I’d like to express my gratitude to all my Patreon supporters for their incredible backing:

[List of Patreon Donors]

And here’s the link to donate: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine

(Header image by Google)

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