What a great week for XR with the release of the Quest 3S! I have already started playing with this little toy, and I will write my impressions very soon on this blog (probably Friday or Monday). Tonight, I also can’t wait to play a bit of Batman as soon as it becomes available! What about you? Are you going to play it, too? Let me know!
Top news of the week
Meta had a successful launch of Quest 3S
Quest 3S is now shipping to the houses of people who ordered it. The headset had its first online reviews and they were all positive. No one considered the device as perfect and some aspects of it, like the Fresnel lenses, feel like a step back. But it is definitely a good device and for $300, it is definitely a steal. I still have to write my review, but from my first days of usage, I definitely confirm these impressions. There is even one aspect in which it is better than the Quest 3: its front IR illuminators make hand tracking work even in the dark, which is useful for… some use cases.
The headset is already selling well, and it is currently the most-sold gaming console on Amazon. This makes us hope well for the future of this device and especially for the sales it may have during Black Friday and the Christmas vacations. Fingers crossed that it will help with the further adoption of XR.
More info (Quest 3S specifications)
More info (Quest 3S review by Road To VR)
More info (Quest 3S hand tracking is better than Quest 3)
More info (Quest 3S hand tracking works in the dark)
More info (Quest 3S is the top selling console on Amazon)
Other relevant news
Ray-Ban Meta glasses are the top selling products in EMEA Ray-Ban Stores
EssilorLuxottica’s CFO Stefano Grassi on the company’s Q3 2024 earnings call came up with the following statement (courtesy Upload VR):
Ray-Ban Meta, very happy about the performance that we’ve seen. I mean, we, it’s an overall success story that we see.
Just to give you an idea, it’s not just a success in the US, where it’s obvious. But it’s also success here in Europe. Just to give you an idea, in 60% of the Ray-Ban stores in Europe, in EMEA, Ray-Ban Meta is the best-seller in those stores. So it’s something that is extremely pleasing.
Let that sink in for a moment: Ray-Ban Meta is the best seller of glasses in 60% (hence the majority) of Ray-Ban stores in the EMEA region. This is HUGE news. Notice that he’s not talking about the US, which is more advanced than Europe on the technology side. And notice that he’s not talking about the Meta stores or some other tech stores, but the Ray-Ban stores, that is the glasses stores. This means that there are a lot of people in Europe who are entering into a Ray-Ban store to buy some cool sunglasses and come out with smart glasses. These are non-tech people who just want sunglasses and are convinced that for that price, that quality, and that design, it’s a good idea to have some smart functionalities. I think that an important factor is that these glasses are as good-looking as the other sunglasses: this confirms that the XR industry has to focus more on the design if it hopes to become mainstream one day.
I think this is fantastic news: it proves that if we offer XR glasses that have the right characteristics and the right price, people are going to buy them. This gives me hope for the future.
The Vive Focus Vision has been released
HTC has decided to release the Vive Focus Vision the same week as the Quest 3S. The headset is so shipping and we are having the first reviews as well, but of course, its launch has been a bit obscured by all the content about the Quest 3S.
The usual great Shen Ye made a very interesting teardown of the device, which I’m sharing with you below. And the usual great David Heaney wrote a review of the headset, highlighting its pros and cons. It seems that HTC has invested a lot in providing a standalone headset that is great for PCVR and so it features a lossless wired Displayport connection, very high display resolution, and integrated eye tracking. Unluckily it still mounts Fresnel lenses, with all the clarity problems they bring (e.g. glares, godrays, etc…). And since the focus (pun intended) is mostly PCVR, HTC didn’t even care to upgrade the chipset of the Focus 3, which so remains the glorious Snapdragon XR2. All of this for $1000 (+$150 of DisplayPort adapter, which comes for free with the preorders).
What truly puzzles me is that this headset is a mix of a standalone and a PCVR headset that is not ideal for any of the two use cases. If the main focus was PCVR, I think HTC should have released a smaller and more lightweight PCVR headset (without the battery, etc…) and the usual wireless transmitter. If the main focus was standalone, they should have upgraded the chipset to a Snapdragon XR2 Gen2, probably even to the Plus model, given HTC’s enterprise focus (pun intended, again). This way it seems a bit of a mix of both worlds.
I truly hope that HTC launches soon a new device because this one seems to me potentially interesting only to a few dedicated niches, like LBVR venues, VRChat enthusiasts, or people needing to work with the integrated eye tracking.
More info (Vive Focus Vision hands-on)
More info (Vive Focus Vision teardown)
Unity launches Unity 6
Unity has finally launched its new version: Unity 6. As you can see, Unity has returned to the old numbering (we left it after Unity 5) and the company is promising better management of the versions, with major updates (like Unity 6.1) not coming so frequently, and the frequent updates released only as minor version changes. This makes sure that there will be no more incompatibilities between different versions that are just a few weeks apart one from the other.
Unity 6 is bringing many new features that are helping with cutting-edge technologies like XR and AI. On the AI side, Unity Sentis is amazing for integrating AI models into your games, so that they can run locally, even on your Android devices. If you look at the link I’m sharing with you below, you will see some AI integrated into Quest applications so as to have more interesting interactions in VR/MR games.
I have already downloaded it and I can’t wait to put my hands on it. Unity 6 is an LTS version and its support is going to last for very long, which is good because it means we can rely on it to build our next applications.
More info (Unity launches Unity 6)
More info (How to optimize your applications in Unity 6)
More info (Unity Sentis brings AI models into your games)
News worth a mention
Meta CTO shows pictures of internal XR prototypes
Meta CTO Andrew “Boz” Bosworth shared on Instagram a few photos of him handling some XR prototypes Meta Reality Labs is working on. A prototype looks like a wide-FOV headset, another one seems like a new type of smart glasses with some sort of display, another one is a headset that can be used in the dark, and the last picture is very puzzling because it shows a Quest 3 with Project Aria mounted on top. The practical meaning of these pictures is close to zero, they just mean “Meta is experimenting on stuff”, but as a tech guy, I always like to look at research prototypes…
Toast Interactive shares interesting info about PSVR 2
Toast Interactive is the team behind Max Mustard, one of the best VR platform games available on Quest (read my review here). This indie team has shared a few interesting tidbits about its experience of launching the game on PSVR 2. The first surprising detail is that Max Mustard sold better on PSVR 2 than on Quest in its first 2 weeks of launch. This sounds very strange, considering that we all know that Quest is selling more than PSVR. The developer says that it may be because the PSVR audience is looking for a new Astro Bot and also because the launch was able to generate more hype. I would also add that the PlayStation audience is more used to paying for games.
The second interesting news is that Toast Interactive claims that PSVR 2 has sold 2 million units. I have no idea where they got this number from (I tried to ask, but with no luck), so I have no idea if this is reliable or not. But if it were confirmed, it would show that PSVR 2 is nowhere competing with Quest, but that it is still selling well compared to PCVR. I hope we can have more leaks in this sense.
More info (Max Mustard’s team sharing info on PSVR 2 launch)
More info (Some reasons why the game can have sold better on PSVR)
Huawei could launch a Vison Pro competitor this week
According to some leaks, Huawei may launch today October, 22nd a new MR/VR headset, dedicated to competing with Apple Vision Pro. Its display panel might have similar capabilities to the Apple Vision Pro. Also, the device could use Huawei’s self-developed chipset and weigh 350 grams, so much less than the alternative. It should cost 15000 yuan, which equates to circa $2100. Let’s see if this launch is actually happening…
Microsoft and its troubles with HoloLens
According to an article on Business Insider, Microsoft has lost a total of more than $5 billion dollars with the HoloLens project. This may explain why it has been shut down. And the IVAS project it is doing with the army is in trouble, with Microsoft just making modifications when requested, and waiting for the results of the field test. It also seems that the Department of defense is already working on a new program, “IVAS next”, that should supersede the current troubled one. What looked like a dream contract worth $22B turned out to be a disaster.
More info (Microsoft and its problems with HoloLens and IVAS)
More info (The Department of Defense asking for a device costing less than $80K)
XPANCEO presents two new prototypes
XPANCEO, the Dubai-based company working on smart contact lenses (and that I have interviewed), has presented two new prototypes at GITEX Global. One prototype was focused on 3D imaging, showing 3D elements to the viewer, and the other on data reading, which demonstrated wireless data transmission capabilities integrated directly into the lens. It’s good to see that this startup is still making progress.
Foottroller makes you move in VR with your feet
A new Chinese company called Foottroller attaches a controller to your feet so that you can move in VR by raising the front or the back of your foot. It seems to me a worse version of the 3D Rudder, but the people in the company claim it is a more natural way of walking hands-free in XR. I hope to try it out to give you my hands-on impressions.
(Thanks Alex Goncharov for the tip)
Power Over Skin lets you wear battery-less devices
If you were looking for the weird news of the week, you have found it. Some researches have developed a system that lets you wear one device featuring a battery that can then power all the other wearables you wear on the body thanks to the fact that the skin can conduct the electricity to them. It is like you can wear a Quest headset and then you can use controllers that do not have a battery because your body transmits the electricity from the battery of the Quest to the controllers. On one side, it is very intriguing. On the other side, I’m not so sure I would be happy with all this electricity going through me…
(Thanks Ivan Aguilar for the tip)
The Metaverse Safety Week returns this December
XRSI is going to organize this year again its week-long event dedicated to speaking about important themes like privacy and safety in the Metaverse: the Metaverse Safety Week. This year the event is going to be held from 10th to 15th of December and it will feature important speakers from the field.
The viral video of the week
There is a video that has become popular in the VR communities these days: it shows how an environment can be converted into different versions of it thanks to the power of the Apple Vision Pro. It is the classical concept video that looks cool in theory but makes little sense in practice. But still, it is cool to see and can inspire some people.
Some news about content
- Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon is a co-op roguelite for Quest and PC VR headsets that promises a serious dose of piñata-cracking mayhem. A free demo is available and a Kickstarter campaign should start today October, 22nd
- Starship Troopers: Continuum has been delayed and it is now expected to launch on November 14th on Quest, and November 25th on PSVR 2
- Clamb is an upcoming VR crazy game where you need to clamber up a mountain with your sledgehammer and don’t fall
- Gunman Contracts, one of the best Half-Life: Alyx mods, is becoming a standalone game called Gunman Contracts — Stand Alone (they used a lot of fantasy when choosing the name)
- Skydance has released its first Quest 3 Behemoth trailer
- Dig VR gets delayed until November 14 because of… Batman
- BLUD is a splatter fun game that lets you kill unicorns. It is available on the Horizon Store for $5
- Augmented Empire, the Oculus Go narrative strategy game from Coatsink, arrives on the Horizon Store on November 21
- Clawball, which is a bit like “Rocket League but with cats” has been launched on the Horizon Store as a free game
- SickWay VR is a game that will challenge your fear of heights making you run with segways on very high places
- Airspace Defender, a mixed reality game inspired by Missile Command, is now available in early access on Quest for €15
- Zander Dejah explained in a long interview how he came out with the concept of Vendetta Forever
- Upload has written its usual ICYMI article featuring many minor pieces of XR news
More info (Rogue Pinatas)
More info (Starship Troopers)
More info (Clamb)
More info (Gunman Contracts)
More info (Behemoth)
More info (Dig VR)
More info (BLUD)
More info (Augmented Empire)
More info (Clawball)
More info (Sickway VR)
More info (Airspace Defender)
More info (Vendetta Forever)
More info (ICYMI)
Some reviews about content
- Death Horizon: Cyberfusion feels like an incomplete game
- Maestro ambitiously redefines VR rhythm gaming by placing you in the role of a conductor focused on actual orchestra management techniques. It works incredibly well and has also amazing hand tracking.
- Just Dance VR seems to be a good porting of the dancing classic game, but it has also some drawbacks, like the weird choice of some old songs in the tracklist
- Arizona Sunshine Remake is a great rework of one of the biggest classics of VR: the visuals and the sound design are very well made. Still, the second episode offers a more complete experience
- Undead Citadel seems a good game only if you like an arcade-style take on physics-based melee
- Rhythmscapes promises meditation with the use of a drum, but fails in finding the balance between simplicity for relaxation and engagement with the game
More info (Death Horizon: Cyberfusion)
More info (Maestro)
More info (Just Dance VR)
More info (Arizona Sunshine Remake)
More info (Undead Citadel)
More info (Rhythmscapes)
Other news
VR Kiwi is gifting a Lens protector to anyone who is registering for its newsletter
(Thanks Rob Cole for the tip)
Meta released a set of Horizon-styled UI components for its XR developers
Motorola phones will be usable directly from inside a Quest headset
MobilePoser provides full body estimation thanks to the wearables the user has on his body
Learn more (Paper)
Learn more (GitHub repository)
Meta laid off multiple employees, also from Reality Labs
A good tutorial on how to integrate the Logitech MX Stylus pen in your Unity XR app
News from partners (and friends)
Virtual World Society is hosting a charity dinner and auction
Virtual World Society is going to host on October 24 a charity dinner and auction. The auction will include unique XR memorabilia, a dinner with Tom Furness, and much more. The event is going to be host in Bellevue, but it is also possible to join it remotely. If you want to support the VWS in making a better world thanks to XR, join this event!
A new look at Pictionary
Oisoi Studio and Painting VR are creating a new fun multiplayer game that gives a fun twist to the classic Pictionary game. Watch the video and fall in love with it!
Sponsored Area
Discover Phygtl
Phygtl is a startup that is on a mission to use XR to redefine socialization through co-creation. There are not many details that have been shared publicly about it, but I know the team well, and I know they are looking for talented cloud, XR, and AI professionals to collaborate with them. In case you may be interested in joining an innovative and vibrant startup, reach out to them!
Visit Phygtl Website
Visit Phygtl LinkedIn Page
Some XR fun
The name “Oculus” had an advantage: it was actually ideal in this period of the year
Funny link
True story for me and all the others who bought the cheapest SKU of The Quest
Funny link
Waiting for the new VR headset to finally arrive be like
Funny link
Donate for good
Like last week, also this week in this final paragraph I won’t ask you to donate to my blog, but to the poor people who are facing the consequences of the war. Please donate to the Red Cross to handle the current humanitarian situation in Ukraine. I will leave you the link to do that below.
Let me take a moment before to thank anyway all my Patreon donors for the support they give to me:
- Alex Gonzalez VR
- DeoVR
- GenVR
- Eduardo Siman
- Jonn Fredericks
- Jean-Marc Duyckaerts
- Reynaldo T Zabala
- Richard Penny
- Terry xR. Schussler
- Ilias Kapouranis
- Paolo Leoncini
- Immersive.international
- Nikk Mitchell and the great FXG team
- Jake Rubin
- Alexis Huille
- Raghu Bathina
- Chris Koomen
- Cognitive3D
- Wisear (Yacine Achiakh)
- Masterpiece X
- Dimo Pepelyashev
- Jennifer Granger
- Jason Moore
- Steve Biggs
- Julio Cesar Bolivar
- Jan Schroeder
- Kai Curtis
- Francesco Strada
- Sikaar Keita
- Ramin Assadollahi
- Juan Sotelo
- Andrew Sheldon
- Chris Madsen
- Horacio Torrendell
- Andrew Deutsch
- Fabien Benetou
- Tatiana Kartashova
- Marco “BeyondTheCastle” Arena
- Eloi Gerard
- Adam Boyd
- Jeremy Dalton
- Joel Ward
- Alex P
- Lynn Eades
- Donald P
- Casie Lane
- Catherine Henry
- Qcreator
- Ristband (Anne McKinnon & Roman Rappak)
- Stephen Robnett
- KaihatsuJai
- Christopher Boyd
- Carol Dalrymple
- Sb
- Pieter Siekerman
- Enrico Poli
- Vooiage Technologies
- Caroline
- Liam James O’Malley
- Hillary Charnas
- Wil Stevens
- Francesco Salizzoni
- Alan Smithson
- Steve R
- Brentwahn
- Matt Cool
- Simplex
- Gregory F Gorsuch
- Paul Shay
- Matias Nassi
And now here you are the link to donate: