This week has been a real highlight for me, as I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be attending CES in January for the very first time! I’m busy planning the trip and lining up some exciting AR/VR glasses demos. If any of you are also going to be there, give me a shout! Plus, if you’ve got some tips on maximizing the CES experience, I’m all ears. I can’t wait to bring back stories from the event. But for now, let’s dive into the top XR news of the week and a fun giveaway!
Top News of the Week
Google Introduces Android XR
This week, we saw one of the most significant announcements not only of the week but arguably the entire year—Google has officially unveiled Android XR. This new operating system from Google is designed to power all XR devices, ranging from mixed reality headsets to augmented reality glasses and smart glasses. The first to feature this OS will be a mixed reality headset developed in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm, currently known as Project Moohan. Plus, other partners like XREAL, Sony, and Lynx are already working on devices that will be compatible with Android XR.
During a press preview, Google showcased this OS on Project Moohan and on monocular and binocular smart glasses. A key highlight is the deep integration of artificial intelligence, specifically through its Gemini AI assistant. It keeps pace with both real and virtual world activities and is always ready to offer guidance. Imagine having a restaurant card appear in your view, and by simply asking Gemini AI, it promptly opens up the location in a 3D Google Maps view. You can then get further details by querying the AI. For those using smartglasses, Gemini can translate foreign conversations in real-time. The assistant even retains memory of the past 10 minutes of interactions, so you can easily revisit recent happenings. While revolutionary, these features do raise some privacy concerns. Beyond AI, the OS can automatically convert media into 3D and supports multimodal inputs like controllers, hand gestures, and voice commands. Although the current content offerings include G-Suite and games like Demeo and Vacation Simulator, there’s more in the pipeline. Developers can now access a preview of the development environment for native, Unity, and WebXR.
Details on Project Moohan remain scarce, but it seems to be a blend of Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro, with external battery support, high-definition displays, and an advanced passthrough system. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 chipset, with controllers expected in 2025 when the headset is set to launch. Google’s foray into XR brings renewed credibility and competition to the field, benefiting everyone involved. Fingers crossed it doesn’t become another project in Google’s infamous graveyard!
Other Relevant News
Quest’s Latest Update Enhances Hand Tracking and Integrates Windows 11
Meta’s latest update, runtime v72 for Quest, introduces several exciting features:
- Hand tracking gets a boost to v2.3, making it more responsive and effective, particularly useful in confined settings like travel mode.
- The introduction of Windows Mixed Reality Link. With this, Quest 3 and 3S users can effortlessly connect to their Windows 11 PCs by just looking at them on their headset, similar to how Vision Pro connects with Macs. This promises to enhance productivity significantly.
- The system can now detect all keyboards, displaying them via passthrough.
- A newly added Media Gallery app that lets you manage your device’s media content.
- Entering the home environment in VR is now more seamless, as setting up a boundary is no longer needed with the assumption of a static one.
- There are also minor updates like adding Direct Messages to the Instagram app.
The Windows 11 connection feature has caught my attention the most. Given all the positive feedback regarding Mac’s connectivity with Vision Pro, I can’t wait to test this new compatibility with PCs.
News Worth a Mention
Omdia Predicts Tough Times for XR in 2025
According to Omdia’s latest report, the XR market might face a bit of a downturn. They predict a 10% drop in headset sales in 2024, with volumes reaching 6.9 million units, down from 7.7 million in 2023. This trend could extend to 2025, yet a revival is anticipated in 2026. While I understand the rationale behind these forecasts, I’ve sensed a gradual growth in the industry since 2023. The emergence of successful products like Ray-Ban Meta and the rollout of Android XR are positive signs to me. But as always, such insights are subject to perspective.
How Gorilla Tag Captivated the XR Audience
XR investor JP Minetos penned an intriguing piece on Road To VR about the unexpected success of Gorilla Tag. Its engaging social mechanics, along with the unique locomotion and infectious meme culture, have played significant roles in its popularity.
Quest 3S is Currently a Bargain
For those eyeing the Quest 3S, Amazon US (and other regions) currently offers the 256 GB version for $400, bundled with a $30 digital Amazon credit. If you haven’t snagged a Quest 3S yet, this deal runs until Christmas.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Clinches Best VR/AR Game Award
At The Game Awards, Batman: Arkham Shadow by Camouflaj bagged the Best VR/AR Game Award of the year, a deserved recognition given its excellence and influential presence in the VR community.
Exciting Content Updates
- A VR mod for Fallout London is in the works.
- Path of Fury: Episode I will debut in early 2025 on Quest 2/3/Pro, inviting players to punch their way through a nostalgic ’80s kung fu adventure, priced at $9.99.
- Bridge Constructor offers a new XR experience for $10.
- Behemoth receives a significant patch addressing bugs and rebalancing combat.
- Clone Drone in the Hyperdome is now available on both Steam and Meta for $20.
- Realize Music: Sing, blending rhythm gaming with meditative experiences, launches on the Meta Quest platform on January 23rd, 2025.
- Panic Room MR brings horror elements into mixed reality for Quest users, priced at $5.
- X8 Contra: Super Wall Storm combines VR action with classic side-scroller elements, available for $20 on Horizon Store and Steam.
- Crystal Commanders, a strategy game for both VR and mixed reality, gears up for release on February 27, 2025.
- Mecha Force, inspired by anime classics, enters early access on Quest.
- DodgeCraft challenges your reflexes in a new VR sports game available now on Quest.
- Beyond Blue: After the Storm lets you undertake an underwater narrative exploration in standalone VR.
- Human Fall Flat VR’s experimental mode is now in beta on Steam with a first-person perspective.
- Upload VR continues to provide comprehensive XR news round-ups.
Some Reviews About New Releases
- Metamorphosis VR showcases an intriguing concept but needs more polish.
- Action Hero combines SuperHot mechanics with new twists, perfect for VR newcomers and seasoned players alike.
- Home Sports, while enjoyable, offers content that can feel a bit too shallow.
- Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon serves a comedic spin on the classic zombie genre.
Other News
- Rob Cole offers an in-depth review of the Pimax Crystal Light.
- Norman Mueller discusses the latest developments in smart and AR glasses.
- Apple rolls out the Ultrawide Virtual Display feature for Vision Pro via VisionOS 2.2.
- NeoGrip introduces affordable open-source VR controllers.
- Unity’s Humanity 2025 grant application is now open.
- Into The Scaniverse allows exploration of globally reconstructed sites using WebXR.
Partner and Friend Updates
You can now invest in Vitruvian VR! This innovative startup, known for its immersive simulator controller, has launched a crowdfunding campaign. With a minimum investment of €250, you can be part of their journey. Check out my review to better understand why this project stands out. [Learn more about Vitruvian](Crowdfunding page).
Iron Rebellion Key Giveaway!
Mecha game enthusiasts will love Iron Rebellion, a nod to classics like Titanfall and Hawken. It’s now out on Quest and Steam, and I’ve got a couple of Steam keys to give away: RBQ6Q-5LEEE-C0BW2 and 7HWWY-M8K6E-9W0EF. First come, first served! If you miss out, support the creators by purchasing it on Quest or Steam. [Learn more about Iron Rebellion](Steam and Horizon Store).
Some XR Fun
- Check out these entertaining camera setups for Quest 4 [Funny link].
- A charming comic featuring chickens in virtual reality [Funny link].
- And remember, the first rule of Fight Club! [Funny link].
Donate for Good
Continuing from last week, I’m encouraging you all to consider donating to the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Support the Red Cross in their vital work. Thank you so much to my Patreon supporters for their unwavering support:
- Alex Gonzalez VR, DeoVR, GenVR, and many more loyal patrons.
And here’s how you can help: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine.
Lastly, a quick reminder that this blog contains affiliate links, meaning purchases made through these links help support my work. Details about this can be found in my disclosure policy.
