Hello, my American pals! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. While we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Italy, I know it’s a cherished time in the US, Canada, and beyond, so I hope you had a blast with your loved ones. For those who didn’t partake, I trust you enjoyed some epic shopping on Black Friday! I snagged myself a new phone because my old ones were practically falling apart, not to mention suffering from major performance issues. The tipping point was when a friend in Helsinki jokingly asked if there was a charity set up for me to get a new phone, haha! Before diving into the exciting XR news of the week, I have another announcement: I’ve jumped on the Bluesky bandwagon! Follow me there if you’re exploring that space too. Engagement on X has been challenging, so I’m giving Bluesky a shot… let’s see how it unfolds! But no worries, I’m still active on X, so you’re welcome to connect with me on either platform.
Top News of the Week
Looks like there’s been a discovery recently! Dataminers found 3D models of Valve’s Roy controllers hidden in the code of SteamVR—this is pointing towards the controllers being nearly ready for launch, hinting at a potential release of the Deckard headset soon enough. The speculation is buzzing that we might see a full headset kit by 2025! The models revealed features like bumpers, a D-pad, thumbsticks, buttons, index triggers, grip triggers, and system buttons. Together, these controllers offer full gamepad functionality, enabling gamers to enjoy the vast array of Steam titles through a headset on a big screen. Additionally, these leaks showed Valve’s interest in Arcturus Technologies for inside-out tracking, promising excellent performance reminiscent of a notable 2020 tech demo. This has us hopeful that the Deckard headset will boast impressive mixed reality capabilities.
Other Relevant News
Cyber Monday Deals Galore! The VR deals continue to roll out post-Black Friday! Here’s a quick scoop on some of what’s available for both hardware and software:
- PSVR 2 witnessed a massive price drop to $350, bundled with the superb “Horizon Call Of The Mountain.” Will this slash lead to a surge in sales like previous discounts?
- The Pico 4 Ultra package includes Pico Motion Trackers, three games, and a month of VRChat Plus at no extra cost.
- Certain US stores offer the Quest 3S for $299.99, with a $75 gift card included.
- HTC has also joined the discount bandwagon: Vive Focus Vision comes with a complimentary DisplayPort adapter and a game bundle, while the Vive XR Elite and Pro 2 are also available with marked-down prices.
More savings await on the Horizon (Quest) Store with the code ‘BFCM24,’ allowing up to 40% off select games that can be used repeatedly.
Apple’s Long-Standing XR Fascination
Did you know that Apple might have been dabbling in XR tech as far back as 2008? While we’ve heard about Apple tinkering with the Apple Vision Pro for nearly 7 years, it turns out there could have been seeds planted much earlier. A journalist from Mac World unearthed an Apple patent from 2008 which hinted at a VR headset. Though not a direct blueprint, the design shared some basic concepts seen in their latest creations. The patent mentioned wearable displays and smart sensors, quite forward-thinking for that time. While large companies frequently file patents for various reasons, it’s telling that Apple was already exploring immersive reality, predating the Oculus Rift.
VRChat Adds Age Verification
In a significant step for user safety and experience, VRChat has teamed up with Persona to introduce age verification. This isn’t mandatory for everyone; it’s targeted for specific instances with ‘Age Verification’ activated. Verified users 18 and over can also opt for a “Verified 18+” badge on their profiles. This approach aims to improve how different age groups interact within the platform. Verified zones will allow adults more serious discussions and keep content age-appropriate in specified areas, a long-discussed community desire.
VRChat will phase in this feature, ensuring a smooth rollout. I’m curious to observe the adoption rate of this optional verification. When working at VRROOM, a similar idea was floated but hesitated over concerns about sharing personal ID data. VRChat’s decision to make it optional for certain realms seems wise, offering comfort to those wary of sharing personal documents.
Noteworthy Mentions
The tech buzz continues with Pimax launching orders for the Pimax Crystal Super, a top-tier VR headset with impressive specifications. Here are some juicy details:
- It features an interchangeable optical system, an 815g weight with headstrap, and offers a stunning resolution of 3840x3840x2.
- Promises are high with a PPD of 57, providing near-retina clarity.
- Moss Optical offers additional setups, including one with a wider FOV and another boasting micro OLED displays.
This Pimax Prime subscription stirred some chatter amongst fans, especially with questions about subscription payments if the device is returned.
And there’s even more excitement! XREAL is debuting new AR glasses on December 4th at 10 AM EST. Though specifics are scant, anticipations lean towards high-tech 6DOF augmented reality glasses.
This week introduced a groundbreaking VR development from Flinders University researchers. Studying insect behavior, they developed a mini CAVE virtual reality system, presenting virtual scenarios to insects. This innovative method could herald new paths in animal behavioral research.
Additionally, for some yummy tech, researchers from the University of Hong Kong are crafting a virtual lollipop laced with flavor chemicals. By leveraging iontophoresis, these flavors release upon licking—touting tastes like sugar, salt, cherry, green tea, and curiously, durian. Why durian, with its notorious odor, amongst such lovely flavors?
On the Content Front
- Tom Emrich introduced “The Next Dimension: How to Use Augmented Reality for Business Growth in the Era of Spatial Computing.” Check it out if you’re exploring AR business potential.
- Halo fans rejoice! A mod for Halo: Combat Evolved now delivers a complete VR experience with 6DOF motion controls. Redditors are buzzing over this immersive mode.
A variety of content is rolling in:
- Resolution Games’ Home Sports lands on Meta Horizon Store December 11th for $20, offering a multi-sport experience reminiscent of Wii Sports.
- The official Premier League Player game, by Rezzil, debuts on Meta Quest on December 3rd.
- Trivia buffs, test your mettle with Trivia Crack World, a multiplayer game now on Quest for $10.
- Get your Spider-Man fix on Vision Pro with Spatial Web Shooter, a fun mixed reality adventure.
- For a roundup of XR updates, head over to Upload VR.
Last Call for Donations and Thanks
In closing, rather than promoting my blog, I urge support for those in war-stricken areas. Please consider donating to the Red Cross effort in Ukraine—link below. A heartfelt thanks to all my Patreon supporters for your ongoing generosity:
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And here’s the link to contribute: [Support The Red Cross in Ukraine]
Header image courtesy of Upload VR
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