XR Weekly Roundup (December 31, 2024): Meta Quest Headset Issues, Pimax’s New Release, and More!

As we bid farewell to 2024, it’s impossible not to look back on the year that was, especially for those of us immersed in the world of XR. I’ve penned a couple of reflective pieces about my experiences in XR this past year; if you haven’t seen them yet, I highly recommend checking them out. In one post, I delve into the various XR events I attended, while the other offers a snapshot of the XR landscape in 2024 – spoiler alert: there’s a mix of highs and lows. Beyond reading up on the developments, I hope you’re celebrating the year’s end with those you cherish. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 for us all! 😊

Top News of the Week

Meta Quest Headsets Hit a Snag This Christmas

Some unfortunate souls found their brand-new Meta Quest headsets bricked this Christmas due to the v72 update. The glitch mainly impacted devices needing a cumulative update, frustrating many who received these headsets as gifts or planned on family fun during the holidays. Compounding the issue was Meta’s delayed response over the holiday period, coupled with an unhelpful stance on out-of-warranty headsets. Luckily, once the online complaints reached a fever pitch, Meta resolved the issue, fixed the update, and extended support to affected users. Now, those still grappling with unusable devices can even swap them for a free Quest 3S, complete with Horizon Store credits. While Meta eventually handled the situation properly, it might be wise for them to time their updates more carefully, avoiding potential chaos during holidays.

Pimax Unveils Their Dream Air Compact Headset

Trust Pimax to keep the excitement flowing with their latest announcement: the Dream Air headset. This one’s a departure from their usual bulky models, targeting those interested in the likes of BigScreen Beyond, Visor, or MeganeX. Despite its compact nature, the Dream Air promises features like hand and eye tracking, automatic IPD adjustment, and even auto strap tightening for perfect comfort. It also includes an optional Cobb puck for a standalone experience with a built-in battery and Snapdragon XR2 chip. As for the specs, they’re impressive: micro-OLED displays, resolution up to 13MP per eye, and a refresh rate maxing out at 90Hz, among others. Expect it to hit shelves mid-2025, priced at about $1900, though some skepticism about potential delays remains. Community reactions to the announcement have been mixed, with Pimax’s strategy of rapid releases sparking some eyebrows.

Meta Plans Display for Ray-Ban Meta Glasses

Next up, it seems Meta’s not stopping with its successful Ray-Ban Meta line. Rumor has it they’re working on adding a display for notifications and AI responses. It’s fascinating to see advancements in smart glasses, especially if Luxottica, the brand behind Ray-Ban, is on board to ensure style isn’t compromised.

New Announcements Anticipated at CES

All eyes will be on CES next week, one of the grandest shows in tech. Several companies are promising exciting XR-related announcements. From Sony’s intriguing “Create Infinite Realities” keynote to NVIDIA likely unveiling its RTX 50 series, it’s shaping up to be a spectacular event. Stay tuned for on-the-ground updates!

News in Brief

• Meta’s Horizon App Tops Holiday Charts: The app needed for Quest headset setup saw top downloads in app stores, indicating healthy sales for Quest devices.

• Pico’s SecureMR & Privacy: Pico introduced SecureMR for privacy-conscious passthrough APIs, though some developers might find the solution restrictive.

• Magic Leap One’s Upcoming Shutdown: Soon, servers managing Magic Leap One will shut down, turning these once-pioneering headsets into fancy paperweights and erasing their unique experiences.

• Worldwide LiDAR Data Availability: After Tokyo’s point cloud release went viral, more countries have been highlighted for active LiDAR data programs, potentially invaluable for sectors like VPS and digital twins.

• Road To VR’s Game Picks: Celebrating the year’s gaming triumphs, Road To VR crowning Batman: Arkham Shadow their best Quest game, alongside other exciting picks.

• Fanatical’s VR Games Bundle: A winter deal lets you mix and match from a heap of VR titles at a bargain.

Extra Tidbits

Samsung’s newest XR venture will tap into Google’s Find My Device functionality. And, in a slight quirk, it’s been discovered the Quest startup animation is a live-rendered 3D model, not a video.

Community Notes

While it’s a quieter week on the friends’ front, I want to extend a heartfelt holiday greeting to everyone! Dive into some delightful holiday magic for a festive boost.

Fun Bits Around XR

We’ve got some humorous links for you to enjoy, highlighting the lighter side of XR. From unexpected tech mishaps to amusing memetics about XR innovation, it’s a treat for the giggles.

Giving Back

In keeping with the spirit of the season, I urge you to consider donating to those in need, especially the people affected by crises worldwide. If you’re up for making a difference, here’s a link to support the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross in Ukraine.

(Header image by Pimax)

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Let’s keep sharing these stories with fellow tech enthusiasts!

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Happy New Year and see you on the other side!