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Back from Italy and still buzzing with joy, I hope your Valentine’s Day was filled with love and laughter. One of my personal highlights: my article on Android XR’s camera permissions snagged mentions in big-name publications like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority. It’s always a thrill to have a moment in the spotlight! But enough about me—let’s dive into this week’s hottest XR headlines.
### Top News of the Week
Ray-Ban Meta’s remarkable achievement this year has captured significant attention. During EssilorLuxottica’s Q4 2024 earnings call, CEO Francesco Milleri celebrated this triumph, noting that 2 million units were sold. Such great sales and strong user retention speak volumes about the product’s success.
Luxottica, encouraged by these numbers, plans to escalate production to over 10 million units by 2026’s end. The success of Ray-Ban Meta has stirred a flurry of activity among startups and established companies alike; at CES, for example, everyone was buzzing with new smart glass releases, and rumors are flying about Apple and Samsung entering the smartglasses arena. However, it’s important to not get swept away in this hype; Ray-Ban’s established brand and unmatched design have played a pivotal role in its success, making it a challenging feat for others to replicate.
Despite these achievements, it’s clear that the market for smartglasses is still expanding slowly, with production numbers that don’t yet challenge smartphone figures. Will they become mainstream? Only time will tell as the market grows steadily.
### More Noteworthy News
In the realm of humanoid robots, Meta appears to be making ambitious strides. A Bloomberg report suggests that Meta’s Reality Labs is working on robots designed to tackle everyday chores. While Meta isn’t interested in manufacturing these robots itself, it plans to provide the essential tech—including AI systems and software—others can use to bring the robots to market. It’s a bold move, especially given Meta’s ongoing challenges with XR endeavors.
Meanwhile, Apple has exciting upgrades in the works for its Vision Pro headset. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant plans to integrate Apple Intelligence and launch a new guest mode and spatial content app by April. Such enhancements will likely help Apple stand toe-to-toe with Google, which already touts impressive features like Gemini in its Android XR system.
Other interesting developments come from Mentra, which launched AugmentOS—a tool aiming to simplify smartglasses app development. By enabling the creation of apps compatible across various smartglasses models, such as Vuzix Z100, Mentra is addressing the fragmented ecosystem challenge developers face today.
### News Worth a Mention
Sony’s PSVR 2 saw a sales leap over the holiday season, thanks to a substantial price cut. Although not on a par with Quest’s sales, the numbers are promising, and a permanent price reduction could further boost popularity. Additionally, defense tech firm Anduril has taken over the IVAS project from Microsoft, hinting at innovative military headset advancements.
Furthermore, for WebXR developers, Create Worlds has introduced a specialized hosting service: Wonderland Cloud. This includes features crucial for multiplayer connectivity and voice chat, streamlining the development of immersive experiences online.
### Quick Highlights and Tidbits
– The RTX 5090 is reportedly showing significant performance improvements over its predecessor, the RTX 4090, in VR experiences.
– VR communities for older adults are thriving, particularly around fitness and social apps.
– The NBA is revolutionizing viewing experiences with its tabletop feature for immersive game watching.
– Sales on the Horizon Store are ongoing, with deep discounts on popular VR titles.
### Content Insights and Reviews
Sony’s PSVR 2 now includes hand-tracking capabilities with its first compatible game, “Waltz Of The Wizard,” enhancing the magic-based combat experience. In terms of new game releases, “The Midnight Walk” is poised for its debut with unique claymation graphics on PSVR 2. Additionally, the first hand-tracking game on PSVR 2 is set to offer an engaging new playstyle.
### Other News and Developments
Legacy companies like Crytek and Unity are facing organizational changes with recent layoffs. Meanwhile, in the modding community, Godot now boasts a universal VR mod called UGVR, allowing developers to craft immersive experiences across the engine.
### A Call to Action
Finally, as we wrap up, I want to encourage supporting those in need during challenging times. Consider donating to the Red Cross to aid their efforts in Ukraine, highlighting the importance of compassion and solidarity.
Remember, staying informed is essential in our swiftly advancing tech world. Dive into the XR universe—there is always a new adventure waiting to be explored.
