The XR Weekly Update (2024.11.12): Growth in Smartglasses, Meta Reduces Game Funding, and More!

The week just wrapped up with Chinese Singles’ Day, and if you’re celebrating, I hope you had a great time! As the chill in the air grows and I cozy up with a warm cup of something delightful, it’s the perfect moment to go over the most intriguing XR news stories of the past few days.

### Top News of the Week

#### The Ever-Growing Anticipation for Smart Glasses

Smart glasses are capturing the tech world’s imagination like never before. Coming off the back of Ray-Ban and Meta’s success, Apple appears ready to dive into the fray, as Mark Gurman’s latest report suggests. Plans for an Apple-branded set to rival the Ray-Ban Meta glasses are underway, aiming for a 2027 release. While specifics remain under wraps, the hint is they will be AI-savvy, intelligently interacting with the user’s surroundings. It’ll be exciting to see Apple bring its iconic style to smart glasses, just as competitors like Samsung, Google, and potentially Baidu are gearing up with their offerings. Meanwhile, Meta is expanding its reach with Ray-Ban Meta, recently opening a pop-up store in Los Angeles. This shop, running until year’s end with another set for January in Phoenix, promises more than just retail, offering fun events and live performances. Are we witnessing a lasting change with smart glasses, or is it merely another tech trend soon to fade? Only time will reveal the truth.

### Other Notable News

#### Meta’s Shift Away from Gaming Content

Recent reports from The Information indicate Meta is reevaluating its XR content strategy, reallocating funds away from gaming towards lifestyle-oriented projects. Unfortunately, this has led to significant layoffs within studios that were once dependent on Meta’s financial backing, including Monks from the Netherlands and the France-based Altas V. The situation is tough, as studios adapt to the sudden financial shifts. However, focusing beyond gaming could indeed be a smart move for Meta, aligning more closely with everyday utilities that might position them as leaders in the next wave of tech platforms, akin to a smartphone’s cultural impact rather than that of a gaming console.

### Short Takes Worth Your Time

#### A DIY AR Glasses Project

Miroslav Kotalík is making waves with his homemade AR glasses, affectionately named “Zero.” Built using a Raspberry Pi Zero, Kotalík’s prototype already displays videos, plays music, and more. Future iterations promise even broader capabilities. For those interested in independent innovations, following Kotalík’s updates could be quite insightful.

#### Updates and Releases

In VisionOS 2.2 beta, Apple has introduced a Panoramic Display feature for Vision Pro which could revolutionize how we use our Macs, offering an ultra-wide display equivalent to having two 4K monitors. Meanwhile, LIV has rolled out a creator kit for capturing third-person VR content, offering a great tool for developers aiming to leverage social media’s power.

Meanwhile, EgoTouch is innovating the use of your skin as a touchscreen, creating a sensation of touching and pressing virtually, and Osmo has made a remarkable claim in scent digitalization with its so-called “scent teleportation.” These advancements open up incredible potential for VR and AR experiences.

#### Deals and Highlights

With a massive sale on the PlayStation Store, now is the time to snag discounted games, with some PSVR 2 titles slashed by up to 40%. If you’ve been eyeing new VR experiences, this is your moment to expand your collection.

Exciting times ahead for Metro Awakening as it gains momentum after the success of Batman: Arkham Shadow, while djay brings the party to Meta Quest, enhancing the DJ experience with spatial capabilities.

### Content Release News

Several updates in the VR gaming world: Alien: Rogue Incursion faces a delay until next year for Quest, while new and surprising entries like Nevrosa Rescape emerge in the horror genre. Meanwhile, games like Wall Town Wonders and Squingle offer fresh takes on VR world-building and puzzle gaming in mixed reality.

### VR Community Tidbits

Events like the MatchXR in Helsinki and a VR Jam in Slovenia hosted by DeoVR are great places to catch up with industry trends and network with fellow XR enthusiasts.

### Some Fun with XR

From light-hearted jokes about VR development shortcuts to funny takes on VR gaming stereotypes, the community remains ever playful and innovative.

### Donations for Hope

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Thank you to all supporters, and until next week, stay curious, stay kind, and let’s keep exploring the limitless possibilities of XR.

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