I’m back in China for a bit, and I finally got to see a street performance featuring the traditional dragon and tiger figures to ring in the New Year! It’s been a fantastic time, indulging in so much delicious food that I feel like I might just pop in a few days—what a way to go! As I extend my best wishes to all for the Year of the Snake, let’s dive into the top XR news from last week. (UPDATE: This newsletter is a couple of days late because I came down with something and was stuck in bed after starting it—not food-related, though! Finally, I’m up and able to finish it. Rereading the opening made me chuckle. Sorry for the delay; hope you still have love for me!)
Top News of the Week
Meta’s Stellar Q4 2024
Meta has announced its financial results for the last quarter of 2024, and they’re impressive, but there’s plenty to ponder. The highlight is Reality Labs hitting record-breaking revenue of $1.08 billion, marking the best quarter for this division. Fourth quarters are usually strong for Meta due to the holiday demand for Quest devices. We saw the anticipation with the Meta Quest app topping the iOS charts, 1 million players for Batman Arkham Shadow, and the Quest ranking as Amazon’s best-selling console of 2024. This high wasn’t just due to Quests, though; we didn’t fully account for the Ray-Ban Meta sales, which Zuckerberg mentioned topped 1 million units, generating over $300 million. Divided with EssilorLuxottica and even with Meta pocketing only 30%, it’s still a hefty contribution to their revenue, suggesting Quest sales might not have surpassed last year’s figures unless adjusted for last year’s smartglasses earnings.
This indicates a couple of trends: the MR/VR market isn’t dead—it’s alive but waiting for an innovation leap—and the smartglasses market is budding with potential, despite some overhype. Zuckerberg is optimistic about future Ray-Ban Meta sales potentially reaching 2 to 5 million units. He’s also bullish about Horizon Worlds, promising even more beautiful visuals to attract users, albeit this growth benefits Meta’s ecosystem at developers’ expense. Also worth noting, despite these positive financials, Meta’s $6.05 billion quarterly expense underscores high R&D costs and subsidized device pricing—it’s a model where success paradoxically increases losses. Since Q4 2020, Meta Reality Labs has spent $69 billion against $9.19 billion in revenue, hinting at continued financial burn with returns expected only in the 2030s.
More info: Meta’s Q4 2024 Financials, Leaked Memo Reveals Meta’s Revenues, Record Revenues and Losses for Meta Reality Labs, Batman Arkham Shadow’s Player Base, Ray-Ban Meta’s Impressive Sales, Horizon Worlds’ Visual Enhancements.
Other Relevant News
Apple’s AR Glasses Strategy in Flux
According to Marc Gurman, Apple is indeed still in the AR glasses game but seems to be struggling with its strategy. Gurman’s latest insights reveal Apple scrapped plans for glasses tethered to iPhones due to excessive battery drainage, then pivoted to Mac, which also tested poorly, leading to cancellations. However, the pursuit isn’t over; Apple’s secretive Santa Clara team is reportedly working on microLED displays for AR glasses, potentially launching in 2028 or later. Gurman notes internal disarray in Apple’s Vision Products Group (VPG) due to frequent changes, impacting employee morale, a sentiment familiar in the challenging world of tech innovation.
More info: Apple’s MicroLED Development, Cancellation of Apple’s AR Glasses.
Celebrating One Year of Apple Vision Pro
Recently, my timeline was abuzz with Apple fans celebrating the Vision Pro’s first birthday. Seeing the excitement, I couldn’t help but join in and say, "Happy Birthday, Apple Vision Pro!" It’s been a game-changer, pushing competitors to hasten their own XR innovations.
More info: Birthday Message 1, Birthday Message 2, Birthday Message 3, Birthday Message 4.
News Worth a Mention
VRChat Introduces Age Verification
VRChat has begun offering age verification for VRC+ subscribers, using the service by Persona which requires a government ID or a facial photo. It’s optional but permits entry to age-restricted worlds and shows adults a verification badge. As VRChat is the first major social VR platform to introduce this feature, it’s noteworthy to observe how users respond. Many had previously lamented disruptive younger users. Now, with this verification process, users must weigh privacy against the desire for a mature-only environment. Given its limited availability, we’ll see how many creators will opt to restrict access based on age verification.
More info
XReal One vs. Apple Vision Pro?
I’m generally wary of comparing different devices, but Scott Stein’s praise for the XReal One’s superb virtual display capabilities made me rethink. For those seeking a device for movie watching, why spend $3500 on Vision Pro when the XReal offers a streamlined, cost-effective alternative? Yes, the Vision Pro boasts better specs and versatility, but it’s worth pondering.
More info
Viture’s Pro XR Glasses Launch
Viture has introduced its Pro XR glasses with impressive specs such as 1920×1080 micro OLED displays and a compelling 46° FOV at 49 PPD and 120Hz, all for $459, with an introductory $50 discount.
More info
The Logitech Pen: A Game-Changer for Meta Quest Tracking
While the Meta Quest lacks a Vive Tracker equivalent, developers are finding new ways to incorporate object tracking using the Logitech MX Ink pen. Capable of tracking objects alongside the Quest controllers, this offers exciting new opportunities for innovation.
More info: Logitech Pen Weapon Controller, Educational Experiments with the Logitech Pen.
Haptikos Emerges in XR Haptics
The startup Haptikos has unveiled a hand exoskeleton prototype, promising a mix of finger tracking and tactile feedback at a more accessible future price point, showcasing promising demos even in its early stages.
More info
Meta Cracks Down on Leakers
In response to widespread leaks, Meta has vowed to terminate any employees caught leaking info, prompting Zuckerberg to voice frustration over the persistent breaches—even during meetings ironically leaked!
More info
Quest Passthrough Meets ChatGPT
An exciting integration is on the horizon as an innovator is combining the Meta Quest 3’s camera with OpenAI GPT-4—stay tuned for this promising advancement in AI and XR.
More info
VR Troubles
The VR industry’s woes persist with notable developments: the shutdown of pioneering VR MMO Orbus VR, Fast Travel Games’ layoffs due to declining sales, and Vertigo Games divesting its Springboard VR platform.
More info: Orbus VR’s Demise, Fast Travel’s Challenges, Springboard VR Sale.
Content Updates
- COLD VR will launch on February 11
- Aces of Thunder, a VR aerial combat game, will arrive on PSVR 2 and PC VR in 2025
- Demeo introduces DEMEO X Dungeons & Dragons: BattleMarked
- Preorder Cave Crave on the Horizon Store for $13
- Trailblazer: The Untold Story of Mrs. Benz starring Daisy Ridley premieres on Quest in March
- Beyond Blue: After the Storm is now available on Meta Store for $15
- Darknet: Remastered hits Quest, priced at $9.99
- Craftrium lets you create an aquarium in your Apple Vision Pro for free
- Synth Riders add a Kendrick Lamar Experience for the Super Bowl
- Farming Simulator VR launches February 28 on the Horizon Store
- Owlchemy Labs’ discounts put Vacation Simulator and Cosmonious High at $19.99
- Ahoy! is now a touching storytelling experience on Apple Vision Pro
- Check out Upload VR for a thorough XR News Round-Up
More info: COLD VR, Aces Of Thunder, Demeo, Cave Crave, Trailblazer, Beyond Blue, Darknet, Craftrium, Synth Riders, Farming Simulator VR, Owlchemy Labs, Ahoy!, XR News Round-Up.
Content Reviews
- Path of Fury: Episode I — Tetsuo’s Tower offers an exhilarating 80s action vibe
- StageTime VR is an emerging multiplayer karaoke platform with promising features like spatial audio
More info: Path of Fury, StageTime VR.
Other News
- The VR Games Showcase promises a massive lineup in March
- Mindshow introduces a new enterprise-level virtual animation tool
- XR4Europe releases insights on Europe’s XR landscape
- XR Bootcamp offers a comprehensive market comparison of smartglasses
Learn more: Smartglasses Comparison, Article on Smartglasses.
- The latest Quest UI update seems to complicate the user experience further
- Samsung intriguingly trademarks "Beyond," which coincidentally clashes with another headset name
- Astronauts detail how HTC’s headset enhances their well-being in solitude
Learn more
News from Partners and Friends
Google Blocks makes a comeback as Open Blocks! Thanks to the Icosa Foundation, the once-discontinued Google Blocks has been revived, complete with its original codebase and available for free on platforms like the Horizon Store and GitHub. Icosa is also working on Icosa Gallery, the spiritual successor to Google Poly, further showcasing its dedication to the community.
Learn more: Open Blocks Reddit Post, Open Blocks on Upload VR.
Some XR Fun
This one’s amusing—it’s a cave simulator but easily mistaken for something else… Funny link
Donate for Good
Rather than asking for support for my blog this week, I urge you to consider donating to those affected by conflict. The Red Cross is actively working in Ukraine, and if you can contribute, I’ve included the link below. Also, a heartfelt thank you to my wonderful Patreon donors; your support means the world to me.
- Donate to the Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Meta)
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