I’ve returned to Italy, feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. I trust your Valentine’s Day was spent joyously with loved ones and that you’re doing well overall. My own happiness is bolstered by a recent surprise—my piece on Android XR’s camera frame permission garnered recognition from major outlets like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority. It’s a delightful brush with fame. 😊 Now, let’s explore this week’s top XR news!
Top News of the Week
Ray-Ban Meta Sells 2 Million Devices
EssilorLuxottica’s CEO Francesco Milleri touted the success of Ray-Ban Meta glasses during the company’s earnings call for Q4 2024. Sales have hit 2 million units (confirming whispers I’d heard in supply chain circles), alongside impressive user retention. Such achievements underscore the glasses’ triumph in the marketplace. Consequently, Luxottica plans to ramp up production, aiming to exceed 10 million units by the close of 2026.
This hype around Ray-Ban Meta has spurred excitement for smart glasses, evident during my CES visit where startups unveiled AI-enhanced models. Even industry giants like Apple and Samsung are reportedly developing their own versions. However, remember that Ray-Ban’s allure primarily drives Meta’s success. Its brand power, alongside EssilorLuxottica’s distribution prowess, was pivotal. Replicating this in pure tech brands might prove challenging.
Upon examining Luxottica’s goal of producing 10 million annual units, the figure is promising but still dwarfed by smartphone sales. The device’s penetration remains gradual. Whether it’ll become mainstream hinges on sustained market growth over the coming months.
More Info
Other News
Meta Might Be Developing Humanoid Robots
Bloomberg reports that Meta’s Reality Labs—the division responsible for XR headsets—is working on humanoid robots for household chores. It’s practical that Reality Labs spearheads this, given its data from AR, VR headsets, and Project Aria glasses. Interestingly, Meta doesn’t intend to manufacture these robots, possibly reflecting lessons learned about the hardware’s complexity and costliness from their XR glasses. Instead, it aims to develop core components like AI systems, sensors, and software for other companies to utilize.
Frankly, I find this strategy perplexing. With ongoing XR-related woes and substantial quarterly losses, venturing into costly new tech seems a risky stretch.
More Info
Apple to Enhance Vision Pro with Apple Intelligence
Bloomberg announced Apple’s plan to infuse its Vision Pro headset with Apple Intelligence, plus a guest user mode and spatial content app, potentially as soon as April. These features could roll out in software updates with a beta version for developers arriving imminently. Additionally, in China, Apple may partner with Tencent or Bytedance to integrate AI into its devices. This Apple Intelligence initiative fits the rumored Vision Pro upgrade with an M5 chip perfectly.
Such integration would bolster Apple’s competitive edge against Google, who has set a high bar with Gemini in Android XR. This competition is spurring tech giants—Meta, Apple, Google—into a fast-paced race for innovation.
More Info
AugmentOS Aims to Ease Smartglasses Development
Mentra launched AugmentOS, an app enhancing smartglasses app development by allowing single app compatibility across numerous models. Partnering with Vuzix, it ensures apps on AugmentOS function on Vuzix Z100, Even Realities G1, and Mentra Mach1. While they also claim compatibility with Ray-Ban Meta, the device isn’t officially on their site.
This project is promising, given the smartglasses frenzy amidst unclear developmental pathways and fragmented ecosystems. AugmentOS hopes to unify this, offering developers a cross-compatible solution. Its success remains to be seen but it’s undoubtedly a positive step forward.
More Info (Mentra and Vuzix partner on AugmentOS)
More Info (AugmentOS official website)
News Worth a Mention
PSVR 2 Sees Record Holiday Sales
PSVR 2’s substantial price slash from $550 to $350 in 2024 spurred its sales fivefold compared to 2023, evident in Amazon US sales charts. Although not on par with Quest’s numbers, it’s still commendable. Sony’s next steps are uncertain, but a permanent price cut could work wonders.
More Info
News From Partners (and Friends)
Prima Immersive Enhances Apple Vision Pro’s Video Quality
The Spatialists, behind immersive music videos in the U.S. on the Apple Vision Pro through the Prima Immersive app, released sessions featuring AJ Lee & Blue Summit. Utilizing the "Prima Encoder,” these videos offer enhanced visual fidelity compared to Apple’s offerings, praised by reviewers like David Heaney.
Learn More (Press Release about The Spatialists)
Learn More (Hands-on impressions about it on Upload VR)
Learn More (Official website of The Spatialists)
Some XR Fun
Here’s a light-hearted look at some VR-related humor:
- Alternative Valentine’s Day celebration!
- Moving too much in VR
- Hilariously disastrous Horizon Worlds ad, perhaps VRChat’s doing…
- Spending all your money on VR antics…
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[List of Supporters]
And here’s your opportunity to contribute:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
Header image by Meta
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