All articles tagged with #xr
Goertek has revealed a new ultra-lightweight mixed reality headset reference design for 2026, showcasing a compact, 100g device with high-resolution and wide field-of-view, likely relying on tethered power and compute, indicating future trends in XR headset development.
Meta has partnered with Anduril Industries to develop augmented and virtual reality devices for the military, marking a shift for the social media giant into defense contracting, leveraging its extensive investments in extended reality technologies to support U.S. military efforts.
Anduril and Meta are collaborating to develop integrated XR products for the U.S. military, leveraging advanced hardware, AI, and AR/VR technologies to enhance battlefield perception and decision-making, while supporting America's technological edge and reducing costs.
Companies and developers in the XR space pulled off some elaborate April Fool's Day pranks, including Nintendo and IGN teasing a fake 'Virtual Boy Pro' MR headset, Walkabout Mini Golf joking about adding legs to the game, Virtual Desktop developer Guy Godin announcing a move to Meta Reality Labs with sarcastic promises of slower updates, Pillow app teasing a 'toilet mod', and MINTROCKET announcing a fake DLC for its indie adventure RPG with a VR love simulator.
The Voices of VR Podcast recently featured interviews with two XR insiders, including a former Apple employee who worked on the Vision Pro headset. The insider discussed the development process, design decisions, and challenges faced while working on the headset. Another interview with the founder of Road to VR highlighted the significance of the headset and its impact on the industry, as well as its capabilities and areas for potential improvement. The launch of Vision Pro has prompted reflections on the XR industry and its future direction, with Apple's entry into the space being seen as a significant event.
Meta and LG have confirmed a partnership to develop a next-generation XR device, with discussions including business strategies and considerations for XR device development. The collaboration aims to combine Meta's platform with LG's content and service capabilities from its TV business to create a distinctive ecosystem in the XR domain. This move could potentially bring streaming services to the Quest platform, including popular services like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. The partnership follows Meta's previous collaborations with consumer electronics companies such as Samsung and Google, indicating a growing competition in the high-end headset market.
The Apple Vision Pro offers groundbreaking features like spatial video and immersive environments, but it has flaws such as the need for frequent recalibration, discomfort during extended use, and limited applications. While it showcases the future of technology, it may not be worth the $3,500 investment for most consumers. The headset's potential for immersive digital experiences and its spatial capture capabilities are impressive, but improvements in eye tracking, hand controls, collaborative experiences, form factor, and spatial captures are needed for future models. Despite its current limitations, the Vision Pro hints at the sci-fi future of technology and is expected to evolve into a more practical and affordable product in the future.
Tech companies are exploring the potential of virtual and augmented reality (XR) to improve remote collaboration and alleviate the downsides of video meetings in the modern hybrid workplace. While widespread adoption of XR in knowledge-work offices has not materialized, companies like Glue Collaborations, Naer, and Arthur Technologies are finding success in using XR for training and improving meeting experiences. However, barriers such as cost, comfort, and the need for further understanding of the technology's effects on humans still exist. Despite these challenges, companies remain optimistic about the potential for XR to play a larger role in the future of remote work.
Google's support for Apple's Vision Pro spatial computing platform remains uncertain, as Apple has not explicitly mentioned Google productivity or entertainment services for the headset. While existing Google iOS apps with iPad layouts could suffice, it would be beneficial for Google to optimize its services for the new form factor. The potential support for Google Photos, Google Workspace suite, Chrome, and Google Earth on Vision Pro remains unclear, as Google is also working on its own Android XR platform with Samsung. Native support for Google's services on Vision Pro could greatly enhance the spatial computing experience.
Mark Lucovsky, the former head of Meta's AR operating system, has resigned from his role as Senior Director of Engineering at Google, citing "Google's unstable commitment and vision" for AR. Lucovsky's departure comes after Clay Bavor left Google earlier this year and a report revealed that Google changed its development strategy for its Iris smart glasses before ultimately canceling the project. Lucovsky's departure raises questions about Google's commitment to AR.
Google has reportedly canceled its plans to develop its own smart glasses, known as "Project Iris," after facing challenges and changes in strategy during development. The decision was influenced by layoffs, reshuffles, and the departure of Clay Bavor, who led AR/VR efforts at the company. Instead, Google is now focusing on creating software platforms for augmented reality (AR) and intends to license them to other manufacturers building headsets. This move aligns with Google's efforts to replicate the Android OEM model for the new form factor, similar to its partnership with Samsung for the upcoming Android XR headset. Despite the cancellation of Iris, work on AR technology continues, and there is a possibility that the project may be resurrected in the future.
Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC 2023, is set to kick off on June 5th with a keynote that is expected to unveil the company's long-rumored XR headset, which has been in development for eight years. The headset is expected to be a mix of both VR and AR technologies and will feature a pair of 4K displays, on-board cameras, and a lot of sensors. Other announcements expected at the event include updates to iOS 17, new Macs, and improvements to watchOS 10.
Apple has invited XR media outlets, including Road to VR, to its upcoming WWDC keynote for the first time, leading to speculation that the company will reveal its first XR device. Apple's official entrance into the XR space has been rumored for years, with many expecting it to be a boon for the industry thanks to Apple's reputation for solving usability challenges. It is unclear whether the company will focus on AR, VR, or MR.
Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the potential of XR and how it could enhance communication and collaboration. He suggests that overlaying the physical world with digital elements could create an even better world. Cook also admits that his thinking evolves and that Apple will always face skeptics when launching new products. The company is rumored to be launching an XR device at WWDC in June, but nothing has been confirmed yet.