As we bid farewell to another year, today marks a time of reflection and celebration. As the clock ticks towards 2025, I’ve penned some thoughtful articles looking back at my experiences in XR over the past year. If you haven’t caught them yet, I’d recommend giving them a read. The first article delves into my adventures at various XR events throughout the year, while the second offers an in-depth look at the state of XR as we head into 2024, complete with both the highs and lows (spoiler alert: there’s a fair mix of both). But beyond blogs and updates, I hope you’re gearing up to ring in the New Year with dear ones. Here’s to an incredible 2025! 🎉
Top Stories of the Week
Picture by Meta
Meta Quest Headset Hiccups Over Christmas
A rather rocky rollout for some Meta Quest users this holiday season—Meta’s latest v72 update reportedly left several headsets unusable. The devices most affected seemed to be the ones overdue for a software refresh, leading to a boot screen error declaring the device untrustworthy. Unfortunately, this hiccup happened precisely when families were eager to explore VR together during the holidays.
Initially, Meta’s response was slow, caught amidst the holiday break. Customer service was initially less than helpful, especially for those out of warranty. After a wave of online complaints, Meta acknowledged the bug, updated their systems, and provided assistance to restore the affected headsets. In a surprising turn, they even offered replacement Quest 3S units for those still grappling with bricked devices, complete with some Horizon Store credits.
While Meta eventually turned the situation around, it’s a reminder of the importance of timing updates wisely—launching major changes right before a holiday isn’t ideal when teams are spread thin. Fingers crossed for fewer such episodes in the future.
For further details, check: [Bricked Quest Issue] | [Boot Screen Drama] | [Customer Frustration] | [Meta’s Fix] | [Replacement Offer Info]
Other Noteworthy News
Image by Pimax
Pimax’s New Dream Air Headset
Once again, Pimax surprises everyone with a fresh addition, the Dream Air headset. Departing from their signature bulky design, Dream Air targets the same crowd interested in BigScreen Beyond, Visor, or MeganeX with its sleek, portable frame.
Unique to this model are features like hand and eye tracking, IPD adjustment, and an automatic strap that fits snugly to your head for maximum comfort. There’s even an optional Cobb puck that, when attached, essentially transforms the Dream Air into a standalone device, powered by a Snapdragon XR2 chip.
Some standout specs, courtesy of Road to VR:
- Display: Dual micro-OLEDs with full DCI-P3 colors
- Resolution: 13 MP per eye
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz
- Field-of-view: 102°
- Weight: Only 200g
Priced at $1900, with an anticipated launch mid-2025, Pimax is keen on this timeline, leveraging its tech from the Crystal Super to speed up production. However, given Pimax’s history, delays wouldn’t be shocking. The community response is varied—some applaud the innovation, others question the brand’s frequent releases.
A strategic move from Pimax, Dream Air seems geared towards carving a niche in a market keen on clarity and comfort, appealing to a diverse range of users. Let’s see how Dream Air fares in the coming months.
Special thanks to Rob Cole for the update.
For further details, check: [Dream Air Announcement] | [Launch Video] | [Official Page] | [FAQ] | [Strategic Analysis]
Meta Rumored to Enhance Ray-Ban Glasses
The success streak continues with Ray-Ban Meta, prompting Meta to explore new iterations featuring a small display for notifications and AI responses. Interesting that they’re working with Luxottica on this, suggesting a stylish, widely distributed end product. Watch this space for more updates!
Upcoming Announcements at CES
The upcoming CES promises big reveals, with tech giants teasing XR-related announcements. Sony hints at a big reveal with their "Create Infinite Realities" keynote on the 6th, and DPVR and NVIDIA are also expected to divulge exciting new tech. I’ll be on-site to bring firsthand insights, so stay tuned for exclusive coverage!
Quick Mentions
Reddit Image by isaac_szpindel
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Meta Horizon App Hits Popularity: The Meta Horizon app charts high on app stores worldwide, signaling strong Quest sales over the holiday season.
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Pico’s Privacy-Ensuring SecureMR: Pico introduces SecureMR, balancing passtrough features with user privacy, possibly changing how developers interact with AR hardware.
- Magic Leap One Nears Shutdown: A sad farewell approaching for Magic Leap One users as the headset heads towards obsolescence with server shutdowns.
Resources and Fun Bits
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Explore global LiDAR data, thanks to Jess’s viral post and Ver1sea’s compiled assets for VPS and digital twin endeavors.
- Road To VR awards the top titles of the year, with Batman: Arkham Shadow stealing the Quest category.
Need some laughter? Dive into our fun corner featuring everything from memes to quirky links—like that AI hit wall moment or our usual tech party antics. Or, get into some XR wishlist memes!
Consider Giving
This week, I invite you to extend support to those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. Your donations to the Red Cross can truly make a difference. For more information, see the link below. Thanking all my loyal Patreon supporters who help sustain this journey—your names are forever etched in gratitude.
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Pimax)
As you mull over these updates, remember any clicks on affiliate links help keep this content flowing, all while netting you cool products and insights. Cheers to more exciting journeys ahead!
