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Greetings from Finland! As I type this newsletter, I’m journeying between the bustling streets of Helsinki and the serene landscapes of Lapland. It’s been quite the adventure, filled with memorable encounters—I’ve had the joy of meeting Santa Claus, spending time with reindeer, and indulging in traditional Finnish cuisine. Soon, I’ll be diving into MatchXR, one of the most significant XR events in the Nordic region! I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with you soon. But first, I’d like to take a moment to honor Daniel Dyboski-Bryant, who sadly passed away recently. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Daniel a few times, both in person at events like AWE US and in virtual realms such as ENGAGE. He was genuinely kind and deeply passionate about harnessing VR for the greater good, especially in the educational sphere. We’re all going to feel his absence. Daniel, your legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew you.
Top News of the Week
Meta has announced it’s opening up applications for Project Aria research kits. A couple of years back, Project Aria was revealed as a precursor to Meta’s future AR glasses, loaded with sensors but no display. Initially only available to Meta employees or close collaborators, Meta has now expanded access to research institutions. Interested universities or corporations can apply to receive a Project Aria devkit, which includes not only the hardware but also the necessary development tools such as the SDK and cloud services. This move offers a fantastic opportunity for pioneering research, with Meta showcasing projects like those from the University of Bristol and Carnegie Mellon University on its website. If you belong to a research center, this is worth considering.
Other Relevant News
The smart glasses scene has been buzzing, especially with the Ray-Ban Meta’s success setting off a rush in the market. This week alone saw announcements of three AI-enhanced smart glasses from Chinese manufacturers. According to 36kr, Xiaomi is reportedly developing a competitor to Ray-Ban Meta with Goertek, expected by Q2 2025. Baidu has also unveiled its Xiaodu AI Glasses, with features like a 16MP camera and advanced audio capabilities, slated for release in early 2025. Similarly, Rokid presented its Rokid Glasses powered by Snapdragon AR1, featuring monochrome displays meant for 2D data, anticipated in partnership with BOLON. Beyond China, Amazon is reportedly developing internal smart glasses for its drivers, utilizing a display for delivery instructions. The field’s rapid development is truly exciting!
Meta’s learning-focused initiative, Meta For Education, has launched in beta, aiming to transform educational experiences with its Quest headsets. Targeted at universities, this program offers a suite of academic tools and features for easy management of multiple devices, improving upon feedback from pilot universities. Collaborating with institutions like Arizona State University and Imperial College London, Meta is on track to refine and release an efficient educational program by winter. Alongside, Meta has partnered with VictoryXR to debut digital twin “metaversities,” allowing students and educators to engage in remote classes via immersive environments. It’s a smart move considering the educational sector’s vast potential.
Meta has teased the UI of its Orion glasses, showcasing various interface designs in a newly released video. The features are still in the experimental phase, indicating the company’s efforts to innovate in the AR glasses arena. Developer Alex Coulombe confirms that some of the UI elements in the video correspond with his personal experience, highlighting Meta’s commitment to refining user interface paradigms distinct from VR and MR.
News Worth a Mention
bHaptics has unveiled an updated line of its haptic devices. Their new flagship TactSuit Pro is available for $499, while the more cost-effective TactSuit Air is priced at $249 with fewer motors. The TactSleeve for arms completes the lineup for $199. Preorders run until late November, and these devices support a broad array of VR titles for Quest, PSVR 2, and SteamVR.
Horizon Worlds is rolling out its new virtual currency, Meta Credits, in specific regions to foster an internal economy for user-generated content. This monetization strategy is a pivotal development in shaping the platform’s future.
Ekto VR is set to ship its first batch of VR walking shoes, aptly named Genesis. Limited to 10 early adopters, these $2000-$3000 shoes are poised for release in March 2025, marking a significant step in VR hardware innovation.
MeRCURY, an XR headset designed for underwater experiences, is now fundraising on IndieGoGo. This innovative gear transforms swimming pools into virtual adventure realms, with pricing starting from €1250, indicating its primary B2B market target.
Apple has debuted two new high-quality immersive videos: a music video from The Weeknd and a live concert by Raye. These releases highlight Apple’s continued investment in immersive multimedia experiences.
Some Info About Content
Looking forward to Ember Souls hitting the Quest platform or gadgets like Gadgeteer enabling mixed reality gameplay? Beat Saber fans can rejoice with the new Monstercat Mixtape 2 DLC. For gamers craving tactical VR experiences, Clone Drone steps up with its Hyperdome sequel, among many other exciting updates.
Some Reviews About Content
Square Enix’s Triangle Strategy presents an engaging XR experience, DIG VR offers quirky humor with a dash of campaign monotony, while EXOcars deftly navigates between realism and playful racing.
Other News
Sony has officially ceased the PS5 adapter production for PSVR, Pico’s update brings new features to Pico OS and Apple’s Final Cut Pro now accommodates Spatial Video editing. Plus, intriguing reports suggest Horizon Worlds’ growing underage user base. And don’t miss out on free Quixel megascans assets available on FAB.
News from Partners and Friends
Immersive Insiders, in partnership with industry leaders, is organizing an exciting Global XR Design Challenge featuring a $10,000 prize pool, and Story launches to facilitate spatial content creation on Vision Pro.
Donate for Good
Once more, we’re urging support for the people affected by the Ukrainian conflict. Please consider donating to the Red Cross, a commendable gesture reflecting the generosity shared among this community.
And for those interested in promotion, this blog is eager to spotlight your AR/VR innovations. Whether through advertisements or partnerships, embracing XR technologies and innovations within this vibrant community is always welcome.
