The excitement of Singles’ Day in China has just wrapped up, and here, the chilly winds are starting to sweep in. Perfect weather to grab a steaming cup of something cozy and catch you up on the latest buzz from the XR world this week!
Top News of the Week
The excitement over smartglasses is still strong
With Ray-Ban Meta hitting the mark, it’s no surprise that every major player is stepping into the smartglasses arena. A fresh report from Mark Gurman reveals Apple’s internal strides toward crafting its own pair, aiming for a launch by 2027. Details are whispered, but it’s hinted they’ll be equipped with environmental awareness features, likely powered by AI. Apple’s entry could spark intrigue; while Meta partners with fashion icon Luxottica, Apple brings its signature cool factor to the mix—a tempting prospect for many. Not to be left out, Samsung and Google are on the smartglasses bandwagon, and Baidu—China’s tech giant—is reportedly unveiling their version at the Baidu World event in Shanghai. Meanwhile, Meta is expanding its Ray-Ban Meta footprint with a trendy pop-up in Los Angeles, running until year-end, followed by another in Phoenix come January. These experiential spaces will blend shopping with interactive events like comedy nights, podcasts, painting sessions, and even culinary classes, further cementing smartglasses in the lifestyle realm. It’s an exciting era for smartglasses—will they stand the test of time or fade away as another fleeting trend? Only time will tell.
Learn more about Apple’s smartglasses Read about Baidu’s smartglasses launch Check out Meta’s pop-up in LA
Other Relevant News
Meta reportedly scales down gaming content funding
It seems Meta is tweaking its focus, leaning towards XR lifestyle content and away from gaming. According to The Information, this strategic pivot has led Meta to withdraw funding from some gaming-focused partners, resulting in unfortunate layoffs at studios like Monks in the Netherlands and the France-based Altas V. It’s a tough scenario for these developers, banking on stable funding only to face such sudden shifts. Despite this, Meta’s turn towards broader utilities aligns with a vision of creating a must-have everyday tech rather than being limited to the gaming sphere alone.
News Worth a Mention
Innovative AR glasses conjured up at home
Meet Miroslav Kotalík, who ingeniously crafted a pair of AR glasses using a Raspberry Pi Zero, naming the prototype "Zero." These glasses can play videos, display images, stream music to Bluetooth headphones, and even show text. With an upgrade to the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 in the works, expect capabilities like YouTube and Twitter access soon. Keep tabs on Miroslav’s progress by following him on X for updates on this fascinating DIY endeavor.
Explore more on Reddit Check out Tom’s Hardware article
Apple’s Vision Pro embraces expansive views
With the release of VisionOS 2.2 beta, Apple unveils a groundbreaking feature for its Vision Pro, offering Mac users an ultra-wide virtual screen experience—equivalent to two 4K monitors side by side. This development means you might skip purchasing actual monitors for your Mac, substituting them with this virtual setup. However, as noted by Road To VR, Mac’s lack of a native windows manager for ultra-wide setups means third-party solutions are necessary.
Discover more on Vision Pro See the hands-on reviews
LIV unveils Creator Kit for Quest
LIV has introduced a Unity SDK enabling developers to incorporate third-person VR recording capabilities into Quest applications. This innovation allows players to capture immersive VR footage without needing a PC, perfect for games aiming to go viral, much like Gorilla Tag, which is embracing this feature. As someone who’s dealt with similar tech, I can attest to the time savings LIV provides developers.
EgoTouch: Your palm as a touch interface
EgoTouch is pushing the boundaries of haptic interaction by allowing your palm to serve as a virtual button interface. Unlike typical setups, EgoTouch discerns between simple touch and pressure, ensuring reliable recognition of intentional clicks. This advancement could revolutionize body-based interfaces in VR and AR.
Osmo claims success in "scent teleportation"
Osmo’s latest breakthrough involves transferring the essence of scents digitally across distances. By capturing a scent’s profile (like coconut) and recreating it elsewhere, they’ve taken a significant leap, akin to teleporting smells. While the method is currently cumbersome and limited, it signifies a promising direction for future VR applications in replicating real-world experiences.
PlayStation Store offers major discounts
There’s an ongoing significant sale on the PlayStation Store, featuring PSVR 2 games with discounts upward of 40%. If you own a PSVR 2, it’s a prime time to expand your gaming collection.
Metro Awakening captures the gaming spotlight
The gaming community has been buzzing about Metro Awakening, hot on the heels of Batman: Arkham Shadow’s splash. Praised for its atmospheric storytelling, it isn’t without hiccups like awkward item mechanics and potential repetitiveness. Nonetheless, it’s gathering steam on Reddit, and it’s commendable they’ve addressed accessibility with an arachnophobia-friendly update.
Read reviews on Metro Awakening
Djay brings the beats to Meta Quest
Popular DJ app djay, known for its performance on mobile platforms, has made its way to Meta Quest. Users can blend tracks and connect real-world DJ gear for a mixed reality music experience. This app, boasting a library of 5000 tracks and streaming service integration, offers music enthusiasts a dynamic space to experiment.
Some News About Content
Here’s a quick roundup of interesting content updates:
- "Alien: Rogue Incursion" for Quest 3/3S is postponed until next year, while other versions drop this December.
- "Human Within," a VR film on AI’s impact, hits Quest in January, encouraging replayability through user choices.
- "Heroes Battle: Darksword" is now available for free early access on Quest.
- "Nevrosa Rescape," a horror puzzle remake, is set for a Quest launch next year.
- "Vivarium" lets you take care of plants and critters in mixed reality, available on the PICO Store.
- "Wall Town Wonders," a mixed reality town builder, drops on Quest 3 on November 21.
- "Zombie Army VR" faces delays until the following year across platforms.
- "Squingle: Legacy" will remain available post-November 21, alongside its new edition launch.
- Get quirky with "CROWBAR CLIMBER," out now and available for a bargain on select stores.
- Snag a 90% discount on "Strike Rush" with code SR-233289 on the Meta Quest Store.
- "XR News Bytes" by Upload VR keeps you updated on minor XR happenings.
For more details about these exciting updates, check the links:
Alien: Rogue Incursion update Human Within info Heroes Battle news Nevrosa Rescape details Vivarium launch Wall Town Wonders release Zombie Army VR delay Squingle update CROWBAR CLIMBER availability Strike Rush offer Read the XR News Bytes
Content Reviews
Here’s a glimpse into our latest reviews:
- "Human Fall Flat VR" delivers chaos with its intuitive VR controls—especially delightful with friends.
- "Dumb Ways: Free for All" brings humor and charm, although its longevity could be improved.
- "Living Room" presents a pleasant experience with virtual animals but could use more interactive elements.
- "Underworld Overseer" channels Dungeon Keeper vibes into VR, aiming for variety in story and gameplay.
Read more about Human Fall Flat VR Check out Dumb Ways review Explore Living Room experience Discover Underworld Overseer
Other News
- Photon brings a free sample for multiplayer collaboration in mixed reality.
- A petition to open-source Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) gains momentum with over 3,300 signatures.
- Julie Smithson takes the helm as the new CEO of METAVRSE.
Learn about Photon Join the WMR petition Meet METAVRSE’s new CEO
News from Partners and Friends
Join the buzz at MatchXR!
Set to return on November 19th in Helsinki, MatchXR is the standout event during Slush week, diving deep into the Nordic XR ecosystem. I’ll be attending—come meet us there and enjoy the experience (for free).
Dive into the VR Jam at DeoVR!
Kicking off on November 13th in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the VR Jam hosted by DeoVR offers a thrilling lineup, including cutting-edge VR tech demos and inspiring talks. It promises engaging VR sessions and networking with key figures in the industry. Definitely one to catch if you’re near Slovenia! [Remember, DeoVR supports this blog]
Find out more about the VR Jam
No promotions today, just some time to relax and enjoy life!
A Bit of XR Fun
Developers might just save time with ChatGPT… Maybe. Check it out
Taming VR as a hairbrush option, who knew? Explore this idea
The truth in VR gamer stereotypes Have a laugh
The ultimate use cases for VR/AR See the fun side
Donate for Good
Rather than asking for donations to the blog, I urge you to support the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ukraine through the Red Cross. A big thank you to my Patreon supporters—you make a real difference:
[List of Patreon donors]
Here’s the link to help those in need: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Miroslav Kotalík)
