As the calendar flips to the final day of the year, it’s a natural time for reflection. Looking back on my experiences in XR throughout 2024, I compiled a couple of enlightening posts, which I highly recommend reading if you haven’t yet. The first one delves into my adventures at various XR events this year, while the second article offers insights into the state of XR as we enter 2024, highlighting both its promising aspects and the challenges it faces. Aside from catching up on these reflections and the news I’m about to share, I hope you’ll take time today to celebrate with loved ones. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 filled with good vibes! 😊
This Week’s Top Stories
Some Meta Quest Headsets Faced Trouble Over Christmas
In an unfortunate turn of events, the v72 update for Meta Quest found some headsets inoperable. Particularly affected were those devices that had lagged in regular updates, necessitating a cumulative update. Users encountered a stark message on their boot screen, alerting them that the device was corrupt and untrustworthy, with no option to boot normally. This particularly inconvenienced new headset owners receiving them as Christmas gifts, or those planning to enjoy family time over the holidays. The online community exploded with frustration, accelerated by Meta’s initial slow response due to the holiday period, during which many team members were away. Furthermore, customers with devices out of warranty initially saw no help from customer service. However, after swelling complaints, Meta addressed the issue, patched the update bugs, and provided assistance to restore affected headsets, even those out of warranty. They’ve also offered a free Quest 3S and Horizon Store credits to those still grappling with bricked devices. In the end, Meta took commendable steps to rectify the situation, though it’s a reminder they might want to exercise greater caution in rolling out updates, especially during holiday seasons. It’s a well-known tech lesson that critical updates are best avoided when resources for damage control might be limited.
Pimax Unveils the Compact ‘Dream Air’ Headset
In true Pimax fashion, the company has hastened to announce a new device, the "Dream Air" headset, aiming to fill a different niche than their bulkier models known for large fields of view. Targeting the same audience as BigScreen Beyond, Visor, and MeganeX, Dream Air stands out with hand and eye tracking, automatic IPD adjustment, and innovative auto-tightening straps for enhanced comfort. This feature is a novel addition indeed, as the headset promises to auto-fit snugly to user dimensions.
Moreover, Pimax introduces ‘Cobb,’ an optional external puck that can transform Dream Air into a more standalone device, equipped with a battery and Snapdragon XR2 chip. Here are a few enticing specs from Road To VR:
- Display: 2 × micro-OLED, 100% DCI-P3 colors
- Resolution per-eye: 13MP (3,840 × 3,552)
- Max refresh rate: 90Hz
- Field-of-view: 102°H
- Weight: 200g
Priced at $1900, Pimax anticipates a mid-2025 release, facilitated by leveraging shared optical elements with the Crystal Super. Community reception varies, with enthusiasm from some quarters balanced by skepticism over another new release. Pimax’s PR lead, Japp, remains calm and engaging in forums, while analyses suggest their strategy exploits market interests with competitive features and pricing.
Dream Air presents a potential counter to the emerging MeganeX SuperLight 8K, reflecting Pimax’s continuous adaptability. We’ll see how this plays out, hoping for a successful release at the planned time.
Meta’s New Move with Ray-Ban Meta Glasses
The current buzz in XR gadgets includes Meta reportedly preparing an upgraded Ray-Ban Meta glasses model featuring a built-in display for notifications and AI interactions, enhancing their famed XR lineup. Despite initial resistance from Luxottica due to bulk concerns, a new collaboration could bring stylish and widely distributed smart eyewear into mainstream use. Exciting prospects indeed!
Look Ahead: CES and What’s to Come
The countdown is on for CES, kicking off next week, promising significant announcements in tech, especially XR. With Sony gearing up to ‘Create Infinite Realities’ and NVIDIA likely unveiling the RTX 50 series, it’s a must-watch event, and I’ll be right there bringing exclusive updates directly!
Noteworthy Mentions
- Meta Horizon App: Continued its streak as one of the top downloads this holiday, marking another successful season for Quest headset sales.
- Pico’s Innovative SecureMR: Introduced a privacy-focused method for MR environments, although it remains to be seen how this will compete if full API access becomes the industry norm.
- End of an Era for Magic Leap One: The shutdown of support servers marks an unfortunate end for Magic Leap One, turning once-revolutionary devices into high-priced relics.
- Global Access to LiDAR Data: More regions, like Tokyo, are releasing LiDAR data, promising advancements for digital twin applications.
Game Highlights
- Road To VR’s Best Games: While Batman: Arkham Shadow clinched the Best Quest Game, the full list offers a few surprises.
- VR Game Deals on Fanatical: Check out their customizable bundle for significant savings on VR titles.
- Content News: Warp Frog is crafting a new game, Attack on Titan VR’s complete edition is out, and ‘Game Night’ presents an intriguing multiplayer experience.
In Brief
Samsung’s XR headset will feature Google’s Find My Device function, and an exciting discovery was made about the Quest startup animation being a 3D model. On a lighter note, heartfelt holiday wishes to all, and let’s usher in a great year ahead!
Giving Back
In a world that needs compassion, consider supporting the plight in Ukraine through the Red Cross. Your kindness can make a world of difference. A heartfelt thanks to my Patreon supporters!
Stay tuned for more updates, and happy gaming!
