XR Weekly Update (Dec 16, 2024): Launch of Android XR, Samsung Unveils New Headset, and More!

Hey everyone! This week has been pretty exciting for me because for the first time ever, I’m gearing up to attend CES this January. I’m currently in full planning mode—scheduling appointments to try out some awesome AR and VR glasses. If you’re going to be there, I’d love to hear from you! Plus, if you have any pro tips on making the most out of my CES experience, send them my way. I’m itching to share all the cool stuff I’ll experience with you. But first, let’s dive into the top XR news of the week… and yes, there’s a giveaway too!

Top News of the Week

Google Announced Android XR

The buzzword this week—and maybe even this year—is Google’s announcement of Android XR. They’re rolling out an operating system designed to run across XR devices, including everything from mixed reality headsets to augmented reality glasses. First up on the list of compatible devices is their mixed-reality headset, a joint venture with Samsung and Qualcomm, dubbed Project Moohan. Not to be left out, other tech giants like XREAL, Sony, and Lynx also have devices in the works to leverage this OS.

Google gave a sneak peek to select media personnel, demonstrating the OS on Project Moohan as well as some mono and binocular smart glasses. The standout feature? Integration with artificial intelligence. Gemini AI steps up as the assistant guiding you seamlessly through your physical and virtual world interactions. Imagine holding up a business card for a restaurant in front of your eyes and simply asking Gemini AI to pull up its 3D location on Google Maps. Or using the smart glasses for live translations when chatting with folks from other countries. Though incredible, the AI’s knack for memorization—recalling interactions from the last ten minutes—does give a slight pause for privacy concerns.

And check this out: it converts photos and videos to 3D automatically and features multimodal input, so you can use controllers, your hands, eyes, or voice commands. While only a few apps like G-Suite and games like Demeo and Vacation Simulator are announced, more content is in the pipeline. Developers can already start tinkering with a preview of the development environment set up for native, Unity, and WebXR.

As for Project Moohan, details remain hush-hush. It’s rumored to blend elements from the Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro, boasting assets like an external battery and high-def displays. Shipping in 2025, it’ll feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 chip. Google’s entrance into the XR space brings with it a hope for new validation and a bit more competition, which is ultimately a win for everyone. Fingers crossed that this effort doesn’t end up like so many others in Google’s project graveyard.

Other Relevant News

Latest Quest Update Enhancements

Meta’s latest update for Quest, version 72, has made way for some fantastic improvements:

• Hand tracking got a boost to version 2.3, ensuring smoother, more responsive performance, even in cramped spaces like travel mode.

• The much-anticipated Windows Mixed Reality Link is here. After setup, Quest 3 and 3S users can simply glance at their Windows 11 PCs for instant connectivity—think Vision Pro’s seamless interaction with Macs. It’s all set to enhance productivity, though Apple’s iteration still edges out slightly.

• Now, every keyboard is visible in passthrough with the latest system tracking.

• A new Media Gallery app brings all your media right to your VR experience.

• Heading into your home VR environment no longer requires setting up boundaries, thanks to a smart default that makes the transition smoother.

The connection feature with Windows 11 is definitely the standout—it’s reminiscent of the praised Mac link with Vision Pro, and I can’t wait to give this a go on my PC.

News Worth a Mention

2025 Outlook for XR from Omdia

Omdia has released a report that casts a shadow over XR’s future, predicting sales to dip 10% in 2024, falling to 6.9 million units from 2023’s 7.7 million. They foresee this trend continuing into 2025 but expect an uptick in 2026. I agree that 2025 might be rough, but I think we’re gradually rebounding since 2023, especially with achievements like Ray-Ban Meta’s success and Android XR’s release. It really depends on how you look at it.

The Rise of Gorilla Tag

XR investor JP Minetos penned an insightful piece on Road To VR about the phenomenal success of Gorilla Tag. The game’s social mechanics are clearly a major draw, yet factors like its unique movement style, approachable gameplay, and meme potential have fueled its popularity.

Grab a Quest 3S Deal

Right now, the Quest 3S (256 GB) is down to $400 on Amazon US and elsewhere, sweetened by a $30 digital Amazon credit. If you’ve been mulling over purchasing a 3S, now’s a good time—it’s up for grabs until Christmas.

Best VR/AR Game Goes to Batman: Arkham Shadow

At The Game Awards, Batman: Arkham Shadow by Camouflaj was awarded the Best VR/AR Game of the year. Given the game’s amazing reception and significant impact on the VR community, this victory isn’t all that surprising.

Content Updates and Reviews

Here’s a snapshot of the latest buzz around some XR content:

• Fallout London VR aims to revamp your VR experience for the ‘Fallout: London’ DLC.
• Path of Fury: Episode I — Tetsuo’s Tower, a VR action game inspired by ’80s Kung Fu classics, is dropping in early 2025 for $9.99 on Quest.
• The XR edition of Bridge Constructor is now available for $10.
• Behemoth just rolled out a patch to address gameplay bugs and combat balance.
• Clone Drone in the Hyperdome, the VR sequel by Doborog Games, sells on Steam and Meta for $20.
• Realize Music: Sing, a wellness app blending rhythm games with VR, is set for a January 2025 launch on Meta Quest.

For reviews, check out this lineup:

• Metamorphosis VR is visually stunning but still rough around the edges.
• Action Hero updates the SuperHot concept, providing great fun for newcomers and veterans alike.
• Home Sports offers a collection of sports titles that are fun but lack depth.
• And Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon offers a family-friendly take on zombie gameplay.

Other Noteworthy News

There’s plenty more going on in the XR world:

• Rob Cole shares an in-depth review of the Pimax Crystal Light.
• A rundown on the latest smartglasses and AR glasses from Norman Mueller.
• Apple adds the Ultrawide Virtual Display feature in VisionOS 2.2.
• Check out NeoGrip’s affordable open-source custom VR controllers.
• Unity opens applications for its Humanity 2025 grant.
• Into The Scaniverse promises virtual visits to the globe’s recreated sites through WebXR.

Partner News

Investors, heads up! Vitruvian Virtual Reality, a brave startup offering a dope 6DOF simulator that’s somewhat like free-floating in space, has launched a crowdfunding campaign. A minimum of €250 gets you into this cosmic project. Check out my review for more reasons to be intrigued.

If you’re into mecha games, Iron Rebellion, inspired by classics like Titanfall, is now available on Quest and Steam. I managed to snag a couple of Steam keys—grab one if you’re quick enough!

Some XR Fun

Here’s a chuckle from the Quest 4’s camera setup, a comic featuring virtual-reality chickens, and a not-so-secret nod to Fight Club.

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(Header image by Google)

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