The chill of cooler weather has set in here just as the excitement of China’s Singles Day festivities comes to a close. Wishing a happy holiday to those celebrating! As I sip on a cozy warm drink, I’m excited to dive into some of the most intriguing XR developments from the past week.
Top News of the Week
The Ongoing Buzz Around Smartglasses
The buzz surrounding smartglasses continues to captivate the tech world. Hot off the heels of Ray-Ban Meta’s success, it seems every major player is exploring this exciting frontier. According to Mark Gurman’s latest report, Apple is gearing up to enter the smartglasses arena, targeting a 2027 release to rival Ray-Ban Meta. While details remain under wraps, it’s rumored they’ll feature AI-enhanced environmental understanding. An Apple entry into smartglasses is intriguing; they bring a certain cool factor inherently tied to their brand, likely appealing to a wide audience. Plus, we’ve got Samsung and Google both tinkering away on their versions. Meanwhile, over in China, Baidu might unveil its new glasses at the upcoming Baidu World event in Shanghai, equipped with cameras and voice capabilities. Not to be outdone, Meta is doubling down on its Ray-Ban Meta line, debuting a pop-up dedicated to these glasses in Los Angeles. This exclusive space not only highlights the glasses but also hosts unique events, from comedy nights to creative workshops. It’s a fascinating time for smartglasses. Will they stick around, or is this just a fleeting trend? Only time will tell.
More info: Apple’s Smartglasses Exploration | Baidu’s Smartglasses Launch | Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta Stores
Other Relevant News
Meta’s Shift from Gaming Content
Word on the street is Meta is pivoting away from gaming content in favor of lifestyle creations, according to The Information. This shift in strategy has unfortunately led to funding cuts for several partners focused on gaming, resulting in layoffs at studios like Monks in the Netherlands and Altas V in France. It’s a tough situation for these developers, who were banking on that support. While it’s a harsh change, moving beyond gaming arguably aligns with Meta’s ambition to lead the next tech wave. They aim for a versatile device akin to a smartphone, not merely a gaming console.
More info: Meta’s New Strategy
News Worth a Mention
DIY AR Glasses
A tech enthusiast named Miroslav Kotalík has crafted his own AR glasses, dubbed Zero, utilizing a Raspberry Pi Zero. This homemade marvel can play videos and music, and with forthcoming upgrades, it looks to expand capabilities to streaming platforms. Stay tuned to his social media for updates on this innovative journey.
More info: DIY AR Glasses on Reddit | Tom’s Hardware Review | Miroslav Kotalík’s X Account
Apple’s Vision Pro Gets a Panoramic Display
Apple’s newest beta release, VisionOS 2.2, boasts a panoramic display for Mac users via their Vision Pro headset. Imagine having an ultra-wide screen equivalent to two 4K monitors. It could potentially save users a ton of cash on expensive monitors. Initial feedback has been enthusiastic, underscoring the potential productivity boost. However, users might need third-party software for optimal window management.
More info: Vision Pro Panoramic Feature | Hands-On Impressions
LIV’s Creator Kit for Quest
LIV now offers a Unity SDK that empowers developers to let users capture awesome third-person VR footage on Quest, sans external PCs. This is great for games looking to encourage social media sharing. A notable example, Gorilla Tag, has already integrated it.
More info: LIV Creator Kit
EgoTouch: Your Palm as a Touchscreen
A cool project named EgoTouch is reimagining how users experience haptic feedback, allowing interactions on one’s own palm. It can distinguish between a casual touch and a deliberate press, offering a surprisingly intuitive interface on your skin.
More info: EgoTouch Project
Osmo’s Scent Teleportation
Osmo is making strides in the fascinating world of scent digitalization. They’ve managed what they call "scent teleportation," capturing a fragrance like coconut and replicating it remotely. Though still a budding technology, it hints at exciting virtual reality applications down the line.
More info: Osmo’s Scent Teleportation
PlayStation Store Sale
The PlayStation Store is having a huge sale, featuring PSVR 2 games at hefty discounts up to 40%. It’s a perfect opportunity to expand your gaming library.
More info: PlayStation Store Sale
Metro Awakening Rocks the Gaming Scene
Following Batman: Arkham Shadow, Metro Awakening is the latest game creating waves. It’s receiving high praise for its immersive environments, although some gameplay elements could use refinement. Hats off to the developers for including an accessibility option that removes spiders for arachnophobes.
More info: Metro Awakening Reviews | Developers Interview
djay App Lands on Meta Quest
Algoriddim has transitioned their popular djay app to the Meta Quest, letting users mix tracks with real DJ gear connected via USB-C. The app already includes 5000 free tracks and integration with top streaming services, setting a high bar for immersive DJing experiences.
More info: djay on Meta Quest
Content Highlights
- Alien: Rogue Incursion for Quest is delayed until next year, but remains on track for PCVR and PSVR this December.
- Human Within, a VR film mixing sci-fi and interactive elements, arrives on Quest in January.
- Heroes Battle: Darksword, a tabletop strategy game, goes live on Quest for free access.
- Nevrosa Rescape, a remake of a horror puzzle classic, hits Quest next year.
- Vivarium launches on the PICO Store, offering a pet-raising experience.
- Wall Town Wonders, a town-building game, releases exclusively on Quest 3 this November 21.
- Zombie Army VR postpones its launch to next year.
- Squingle, the psychedelic puzzle game, rolls out a new edition later this month.
- Crowbar Climber introduces fun gameplay on Horizon Store & Steam.
- Massive discounts on Strike Rush available with a special store code.
More info: Alien: Rogue Incursion | Human Within | Heroes Battle: Darksword | Wall Town Wonders and more…
Content Reviews
- Human Fall Flat VR brings chaotic fun with intuitive VR controls.
- Dumb Ways: Free for All entertains with a humorous arcade style.
- Living Room delights with adorable virtual animals but lacks depth.
- Underworld Overseer offers a Dungeon Keeper-like experience in VR but could use a narrative boost.
More info: Human Fall Flat VR | Dumb Ways Free For All | Underworld Overseer
Other Tidbits
Photon has released new multiplayer collaboration tools for mixed reality, and there’s a fresh petition to open source Windows Mixed Reality, albeit with limited signatures. Plus, Julie Smithson steps up as CEO of METAVRSE.
News From Allies
Head over to MatchXR in Helsinki on November 19 for a celebration of the Nordics’ XR ecosystem—or, swing by the VR Jam hosted by DeoVR in Ljubljana on November 13 for hands-on experiences with cutting-edge VR tech.
No promotions today—just take a moment to enjoy life!
Fun in XR
Check out how ChatGPT might save dev time. Or how VR could revolutionize your daily hair routine. Explore these light-hearted links for a chuckle!
Make a Difference
This week, I’m encouraging support for the Red Cross to aid those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Click the link below to contribute. My heartfelt thanks go out to all who support these endeavors and my Patreon backers for their continued encouragement.
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Miroslav Kotalík)
Enjoy the journey into XR and beyond!
