The XR Weekly Roundup (December 23, 2024): Meta Gears Up for Rivals, Niantic Advances in Spatial Intelligence, and More!

As the holiday season approaches, I’m feeling a bit like Santa today with not one, but two game giveaways! Tomorrow, I’ll post a special holiday message for you all, but right now, I’ve got something exciting: you can win keys to two fantastic XR games. Stick around in this roundup to find out how you can join in on this festive fun.

This Week’s Highlights

Meta Looks Back on a Great 2024 and Eyes the 2025 Competition

Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, Meta’s CTO, recently shared some insights on the company’s achievements this year and what’s in the pipeline for the future. With input from Mark Rabkin, VP of MR/VR, and Janko Roettgers of Lowpass, there’s plenty of intriguing information to unfold. From the success of the Quest 3S to some exciting plans ahead, here are my key takeaways:

• Quest 3S Success: It’s already making waves in the market, particularly over the Black Friday weekend. Sales figures post-holidays will certainly shed more light on its popularity.
• New Users: Interestingly, a significant portion of Quest 3S purchasers are new to the ecosystem. This suggests that the XR space is expanding as new users are drawn in by the device’s affordability.
• Shifting Audiences: Younger users are now driving store trends toward social and multiplayer games, while adults seem more inclined toward broader entertainment experiences.
• Adapting to Trends: Meta is actively funding developers to create apps in high-demand genres like social gaming and MR-first experiences.
• Top Apps: Gorilla Tag, YouTube VR, and Horizon Worlds are currently the most popular apps on Quest 3S, revealing diverse user interests from gaming to media consumption.
• Innovative AI Integration: With AI implementations in Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, Meta plans to develop proactive AI assistants that integrate seamlessly into daily apps.
• Competitive Edge: Despite leading the XR market, Meta is acutely aware of rising competition from Apple and Google. Boz emphasized the pressure to maintain their leadership position while others catch up.

For more details, check out Boz’s full post on Meta’s blog or the latest episode of the Lowpass newsletter.

Other Important News

The Rise of Spatial Intelligence

AI and XR are joining forces to innovate how we perceive spaces, otherwise known as "Spatial Intelligence." This week, Niantic delved into “Large Geospatial Models” that can help fill gaps in geolocation data, enhancing how we understand and navigate physical environments. Similarly, NYU’s research explored ways to improve AI’s 3D spatial awareness, an exciting field with huge potential for XR.

Noteworthy Mentions and Developments

• 8K Camera for Apple: Blackmagic Design’s new URSA Cine Immersive camera is now available for preorder, promising stunning VR180 footage compatibility with Apple’s format.
• Meta SDK Enhancements: A new audio-to-expression feature allows avatars to animate facial expressions using voice input, enhancing realism and interactivity.
• Quest on SteamVR Improvements: Some users have reportedly resolved stuttering issues by disabling the Motion-smoothing feature—interesting findings that could improve PC VR experiences.

More detailed coverage can be found on these innovations on various tech sites.

Content Updates and Christmas Deals

With the holiday spirit in the air, there are some enticing discounts and releases to consider. The Meta Winter Sale offers great deals on fabulous VR titles like Demeo and Asgard’s Wrath 2. Additionally, Upload VR has compiled its picks for the best VR games of 2024, worth checking out!

Notably, "Alien Rogue Incursion" has hit the shelves. While it didn’t become an instant blockbuster hit like some anticipated, it’s still worth exploring if you’re into VR games with a distinct atmosphere.

PatchWorld and Parties

PatchWorld, known for its innovative music tools in VR, has received a significant update alongside a 50% discount till early January—perfect for any virtual musicians out there! Plus, if you’re attending CES, join me at DeoVR’s exclusive after-party, where won’t just be about discussing VR but experiencing it!

Fun & Lighthearted XR Moments

• Check out a fun video that captures the quirks of VR gaming, or have a chuckle over some lighthearted links where humor meets the digital world.

Give Back This Holiday Season

This year, if you’re considering giving, think of those affected by the Ukraine war. The Red Cross could use your support, and their work makes a huge difference. A big thank you to all my patrons for backing this blog, your help is truly appreciated.

For more details on how to contribute, you can visit the Red Cross link below.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a heartfelt holiday message, and don’t forget to check out the cool XR game giveaways!