The XR Weekly Roundup (January 21, 2025): Ongoing XR Momentum, Windows 11 Update Ends WMR, and More!

I can definitely confirm that catching the CES bug is real, and it doesn’t just vanish once the event wraps up. But, even with this lingering cold, I’m more determined than ever to bring you a round-up of XR news that I think you’ll find fascinating!

## Top Stories of the Week

### The XR Market’s Autumn Slump

Currently, it’s not the greatest time for immersive technologies like AR and VR. The market feels stagnant, making it challenging to find business opportunities. While everyone agrees that these technologies will become crucial in the future, for now, they remain a specialized niche. I touched on this in a previous piece where I evaluated our industry’s present situation.

Here are some recent developments that back up my earlier observations:

– The team behind PowerWash Simulator VR announced they’re halting updates to the game, just 14 months post-launch, citing development costs exceeding revenue.

– Soul Assembly, known for games like Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, has laid off 15% of its workforce.

– A report from Omdia and Sensor Tower revealed that downloads for the Meta Horizon app plummeted by 27% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the year before. This indicates that VR holiday sales didn’t peak as high as last year, possibly because existing Quest 2 users didn’t find it worthwhile to upgrade to the newer models. Similar downward trends were seen in Black Friday sales on Amazon.

– Research by Counterpoint highlighted a 4% drop in the global VR market during Q3 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

– Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida expressed regret in an interview over his past optimism for PS VR2.

– The highly regarded F.Reality podcast has wrapped up after seven successful years.

In light of these reports, Blair Renaud, the mind behind LOW-FI, took to social media to express his concerns and feelings of uncertainty about the future. He’s certainly not the first, nor will he be the last, developer feeling marooned in this unstable industry sea.

But there’s a silver lining with some positive news as well:

– Forbes featured an uplifting article about how the younger generation prefers socializing in the metaverse over traditional social media platforms.

– The same Counterpoint report mentioned that the Apple Vision Pro shipped more units than initially anticipated by IDC, particularly internationally. Assuming shipments translate to sales, the Vision Pro could approach Apple’s initial sales forecasts.

– Beat Saber is reportedly close to achieving 10 million copies sold on Quest alone.

It’s time we accept that the next couple of years might be tough. The technological shifts in AR/VR I observed at CES don’t appear likely to change soon, barring advancements in smart glasses. I’ve included these positive snippets to remind us there is hope and that eventually, the tide will turn. However, patience and endurance are key in the meantime.

## Other News Worth Mentioning

### Microsoft Imposes Windows 11 24H2 Update

Here it comes: Microsoft is mandating the notorious 24H2 update for Windows 11 on all eligible devices, primarily affecting those with Home versions, which Microsoft can control. Why does this matter for us in the XR community? Well, this update phases out Mixed Reality support on Windows 11, essentially turning Windows Mixed Reality headsets into useless hardware. Many who rely on WMR have postponed this update for as long as possible, but with Microsoft enforcing it now, avoidance is increasingly difficult—those using a Pro version or on an enterprise network might still have options. To all my fellow WMR users watching their headsets become obsolete, I’m sending virtual hugs your way.

### ASUS Unveils AirVision M1 Glasses Trailer

ASUS recently dropped an exciting trailer for their AirVision M1 smart glasses. These aren’t brand new (information about them has been around since CES 2024), but having just stumbled upon them, I thought I’d share. The AirVision M1 are 3DOF glasses that project a virtual screen before your eyes. They boast 1100 nits brightness, 60% lens transparency, TÜV Rheinland certification, and built-in speakers, being compatible with both Windows PCs and the Rog Ally console. Weighing just 87 grams, these glasses can create a virtual multi-screen setup for your PC using their companion app. They’re priced at $700, slightly higher than the $600 XREAL One Pro.

## Tidbits Worth a Mention

### Palmer Luckey Hints at Big Announcement

Responding to Blair Renaud’s post, Palmer Luckey hinted at unveiling something new in the VR space, which could be the military VR headset previewed at AWE or the rumored Quest Pro upgrade shown in the teaser image. Either way, I’m staying tuned!

### Somnium Space Adjusts Headset Prices

Somnium Space, realizing the complexity of producing their premium headsets, has hiked prices by €5–700. The new costs are:

– Somnium VR1 Visionary Edition: €3000 + VAT
– Somnium VR1 Titan Edition: €3400 + VAT
– Somnium VR1 Ultimate Edition €4300 + VAT

### Meta and Plessey’s Red MicroLED Breakthrough

Meta, in collaboration with Plessey, announced they’ve developed “the world’s brightest” red microLED display for AR glasses, boasting 6M nits with ultra-low power consumption, ideal for outdoor AR use. This accomplishment marks a significant step in AR technology, especially in creating efficient red displays, which is a tougher challenge compared to blue and green.

### Innovating Chess with Ray-Ban Meta

Young innovators Caden Li and Eddy Xu have developed an ingenious way to elevate chess gameplay using Ray-Ban Meta glasses. A camera in the glasses views the chessboard, transmitting it to a chess AI that suggests moves, anonymously communicated to the player through the glasses’ speakers. This inventive demo illustrates the potential of smart glasses powered by AI. We need more open and programmable smart glasses to foster innovations like this.

### Jayden Daniels’ VR-aided Success

American quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has recently led the Washington Commanders to their first NFL playoff win since 2006, credits a good portion of his training regimen to the use of VR headsets. This further substantiates VR’s effectiveness in enhancing sports training.

### Content Updates

Exciting news for gamers:

– GRIM, inspired by Rust, now in early access on Quest and SteamVR.
– TableCraft launches a free “mad science” VR sandbox game.
– Lovesick, a VR narrative game about a band’s bassist, hits Meta Quest on March 6.
– Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon attacks Meta Quest on February 6, with a springtime Steam release.
– Despite its studio’s closure, PSVR 2’s Firewall Ultra gets a surprise update.
– Upload delivers another informative XR News Round-Up.

### Reviews Round-Up

– Upload lauds Iron Rebellion’s mech simulation for its perfect balance.
– Arken Age offers engaging gameplay with vibrant presentation.
– Despite early access, Assetto Corsa EVO struggles with issues.
– Multiplayer boxing reimagined in The Thrill Of The Fight 2.
– Human Within’s story branching garners less favorable impressions.

## Other Bits

– Meta’s decision to remove the achievement viewer app from its headset ruffles feathers among users and developers.

– An interesting tidbit this week revolves around a small LED near the cameras of the Quest 3S.

– The ongoing ambiguity around the Visor headset persists, with polarized reviews and Discord bans for those inquiring about release dates.

– Michael Gschwandtner experiments with creating budget-friendly AR glasses for the Nintendo Switch.

## Updates from Friends & Partners

Join a workshop exploring the musical metaverse during the IEEE International Symposium on the Internet of Sounds in Italy from October 29-31. A dedicated session on October 30 aims to unite academia and industry to push the frontiers in musical XR systems and networking. If your work aligns with subjects like “Musical XR systems for networked interactions” or “Digital twins for musical applications,” you’re invited to submit and engage with fellow enthusiasts.

## XR Amusement

– Amusing takes on Meta hardware vs. software
– Satirical insights on XR business ventures
– Fresh QA test suggestions for future Quest models

## A Call to Support

Instead of asking for support for this blog today, I encourage you to contribute to those affected by the war in Ukraine. Donations to organizations like the Red Cross can have a meaningful impact. Below is the link for contributions. A heartfelt thank you goes to all my Patreon supporters for their ongoing generosity:

[Donor List]

Here’s how you can help:
[Support The Red Cross in Ukraine Link]