The XR Weekly Recap (December 16, 2024): Unveiling Android XR, Samsung’s Headset Reveal, and More!

This week has been a thrilling one for me—I just announced that I’ll be heading to CES in January, marking my first-ever visit to this iconic event! I’m already in the throes of trip planning and booking up appointments to dive into the latest AR/VR glasses. If you’re joining the CES crowd, drop me a line! Plus, I’d love any tips you’ve got to make the most of my CES journey. I’m buzzing with excitement to bring you all the details from my adventure. But before I delve into that, let’s explore the standout XR news of the week—and there’s even a giveaway!

Top News of the Week

Google has dropped a major bombshell this week: the official unveiling of Android XR. This isn’t just this week’s highlight but arguably one of the year’s most significant announcements. Android XR is set to be Google’s powerhouse for XR devices, spanning mixed reality headsets and AR glasses, including smart glasses. Leading the charge is “Project Moohan,” a joint endeavor with Samsung and Qualcomm. Yet, they’re not alone: partnerships with firms like XREAL, Sony, and Lynx are underway, bringing this OS to a wider range of future devices.

Presenting at select demos, Google showcased Android XR on not only Project Moohan but also various smart glasses. The star here? The integration of Gemini AI. This assistant tracks and guides your interactions, seamlessly bridging your real and virtual worlds. Imagine a business card hovering in your sight, and Gemini AI swiftly bringing up the restaurant on a 3D Google Map, offering up details as you explore the virtual locale. More than just convenience, it enhances your digital conversations with live translations and even remembers what’s just happened. This smart reach, while ultra-useful, does emphasize privacy concerns.

Other features are equally enticing; think automatic 3D conversion of photos and videos, and multimodal control possibilities using hands, voice, or traditional controllers. Though only the G-suite and a few games like Demeo and Vacation Simulator have been announced, more is undoubtedly on the horizon. Developers have access to a preview of the development environment for native Unity and WebXR applications.

As for Project Moohan itself, details are cryptic, resembling a hybrid between the Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro. Anticipate a 2025 release with a Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 chipset. Immersive high-def displays and advanced passthrough coupled with upcoming controllers promise a groundbreaking entry into the XR market. Welcome Google to the XR landscape, adding fresh validation and stirring healthy competition.

Other Relevant News

Meta’s latest rollout, runtime v72 for Quest, brings some impressive upgrades. Notably, hand tracking sees enhancements now at v2.3, promising better reactivity, even in tight environments like when you’re on the move.

Excitingly, Windows Mixed Reality Link has been rolled out. This means Quest 3 and 3S users can now effortlessly connect to their Windows 11 PCs—envision your PC’s display scaled up to a vast virtual canvas much like Apple’s Vision Pro does with Mac connections. This is set to revolutionize productivity, though Apple edges slightly ahead in this race.

In addition, users can now see any keyboard through passthrough to heighten text input experiences. A fresh Media Gallery app emerges to let you relish your device’s stored media files. Plus, entering your VR home is now seamless, courtesy of an assumed boundary setup—goodbye friction!

These upgrades are not limited to major flagship changes; small tweaks include Instagram gaining direct messaging capability. But personally, it’s that Windows link-up that steals my heart—can’t wait to witness Vision Pro’s counterpart in action!

News Worth a Mention

Analyst outfit Omdia paints a grim picture for XR’s near-term future, predicting a slump in headset sales in 2024 and 2025. Yet, they anticipate a bounce back in 2026. While the report stands on sound grounds for a perceivable downturn, I beg to differ slightly. From 2023 onward, there seems to be a positive growth trend, especially with the splashy success of Ray-Ban’s Meta edition and Android XR’s rollout.

Additionally, JP Minetos took an insightful look on Road To VR into Gorilla Tag’s meteoric rise. It’s not just about clever interaction but the appeal in its unique locomotion, meme-friendly dynamics, and a rather unobstructive style of play that resonates with many.

If you’re eyeing the Quest 3S, it’s up for grabs on Amazon with a tantalizing $30 digital credit. The deal lasts till Christmas, so don’t miss out.

Regarding game accolades, Batman: Arkham Shadow scooped up the Best VR/AR Game Award at The Game Awards—well-deserved acclaim for a title that’s left quite a mark on the VR scene.

Some Content Highlights

Let’s dive into some content happenings: Fallout London VR is revamping an iconic DLC for VR; Path of Fury: Episode I draws from ‘80s Kung Fu vibes for a Quest-exclusive classic beat-em-up; and Behemoth’s game patch is moving to settle some bugbears in reviews by fine-tuning combat mechanics.

Also, goodies like Clone Drone in the Hyperdome are already out on Meta and Steam, while Realize Music: Sing crafts a wellness and VR rhythm gaming combo—hitting moves onto the Meta Quest as soon as January. Meanwhile, horror aficionados can enjoy Panic Room MR’s demon-filled thrill, and retro fans will love the mash-up in X8 Contra: Super Wall Storm.

For VR strategy enthusiasts, Crystal Commanders brings new twists, and Mecha Force appeals to mecha-lovers with early access gameplay.

Some Game Reviews

Over to some game reviews: Metamorphosis VR captures imaginations but struggles with polish. Action Hero delivers a reimagined take on SuperHot, presenting a polished campaign. Home Sports offers a lightweight but enjoyable suite of virtual sports for a friendly match or two. Lastly, Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon offers family-friendly, cheeky amusement, skirting satire and zombie lore.

Other News

On the hardware frontier, check out Rob Cole’s thorough take on the Pimax Crystal Light. Apple is also shaking things up with VisionOS 2.2, adding an Ultrawide Virtual Display for Vision Pro. Unity has launched their Humanity 2025 grant—quite the boon for ambitious developers! Techies could find the open-source NeoGrip controllers for standalone VR interesting, and Into The Scaniverse is enriching landmark explorations with Gaussian Splats over WebXR.

News from Partners (and Friends)

Calling all VR enthusiasts—investment in Vitruvian Virtual Reality is open now! Their grand VR simulator boasts a full-body experience few could match, with a minimum investment of €250 marking your stake in this next-gen venture. Don’t miss out—head to their crowdfunding page now to witness the future you’re backing.

For those into mecha thrillers, the developers behind Iron Rebellion have furnished us with some Steam keys! The quest for these is all about speed—grab one while you can, or consider showing support on Quest or Steam.

Some XR Fun

For a humorous diversion, have a laugh with some delightful XR-themed comics featuring quirky twists with chickens and virtual reality.

Support Those in Need

Continuing this week, I appeal to you to support the Red Cross and its critical ongoing efforts in Ukraine. It’s vital we lend a hand amidst the humanitarian crisis triggered by the conflict. Here’s the link to contribute. Your help significantly impacts lives.

Big thanks go out to my Patreon supporters for their indispensable backing: Alex Gonzalez VR, DeoVR, and many more. Your support is my driving force.

Here’s the link to assist: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine

(Header image by Google)

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