As 2024 draws to a close, it’s an ideal time to look back and reflect on the year. I’ve put together a couple of thoughtful posts about my experiences in XR during the year, which are worth checking out if you haven’t yet. In one, I share my insights from various XR events I attended, while the other dissects the state of XR in 2024, highlighting both the ups and downs. But aside from diving into these posts and the news I’m about to share, I hope you also take a moment to celebrate with your loved ones as we usher in 2025. Here’s wishing you a fantastic new year! 😊
Highlights of the Week
Christmas Challenge: Meta Quest Headsets Hit a Snag
This Christmas, the v72 update for Meta Quest unexpectedly resulted in some headsets failing to start properly, notably impacting those that hadn’t been updated for a while. These users were greeted by a disconcerting boot screen warning of device corruption, which was particularly bad timing given the holiday season. After initially being slow to respond due to holiday staff shortages, Meta did eventually rectify the issue, providing guidance on restoring affected devices. Those still experiencing problems were even offered a free Quest 3S as compensation, a thoughtful gesture by Meta. While they did handle the situation well in the end, it’s cautionary for them to avoid pushing major updates so close to holiday periods when staff is limited.
Unveiling the Pimax Dream Air
Pimax announced the Dream Air, a new compact headset set to rival BigScreen Beyond and Visor. Unlike their bulkier models, Dream Air aims for a more streamlined experience, boasting impressive features such as hand and eye tracking. Intriguingly, Dream Air can become a pseudo-standalone device with the addition of an external puck called Cobb. While the targeted price is $1900, there remains skepticism about its timely release due to Pimax’s track record. Community reactions vary from excitement to skepticism over whether Pimax is spreading itself too thin with numerous product launches.
The Evolution of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses
Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban continues to impress, with plans rumored to include a new model integrated with display capabilities for notifications and AI responses. Past concerns over added bulk seem to be addressed, opening doors for widespread success if distributed via Luxottica’s channels. This could signal promising strides in merging fashion with function.
Anticipation Builds for CES Announcements
With the CES tech extravaganza imminent, anticipation is building as companies tease their upcoming XR-related breakthroughs. From Sony’s promising keynote titled "Create Infinite Realities" to DPVR’s mysterious product launch and NVIDIA’s potential graphics card reveal, exciting developments are expected. Stay tuned as an insider report from the event will be shared soon!
Noteworthy Mentions
Meta’s Horizon App Sees Holiday Surge
The Meta Horizon app was among the top downloads this holiday season, a clear indicator that Quest headset popularity continues to thrive. This streak of success bodes well for Meta as they head into the new year.
Pico’s Privacy-Preserving SecureMR
Pico introduced SecureMR, a new solution allowing passthrough analysis without compromising user privacy. Despite offering intriguing technical merits, developers may find it lacking due to restricted camera access. SecureMR’s practical viability will depend on future developments from Meta and other competitors.
Discontinued Magic Leap One
As Magic Leap prepares to deactivate its server infrastructure, the Magic Leap One will soon cease to function, a heartbreaking reality for users who invested heavily in these inventive devices. This serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of tech advancements and the sentimental loss of cherished experiences.
New Gaming and Content Highlights
The Road To VR team has released their picks for the best games of the year, with "Batman: Arkham Shadow" taking top accolades for Quest. Meanwhile, Fanatical’s latest VR games bundle offers enticing discounts, while Warpforge hints at an exciting new, highly moddable project. And for party game enthusiasts, "Game Night" for Quest promises engaging local multiplayer fun.
Final Words
During this festive season, I encourage you to extend kindness to those affected by conflict by donating to the Red Cross’s efforts in Ukraine. My heartfelt thanks go to all my Patreon supporters for their incredible contributions this year. Here’s the link if you’d like to donate: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine.
With these updates in mind, I wish everyone a joyous holiday season filled with cheer and relaxation. Enjoy the new year ahead!
