The XR Weekly Recap (December 31, 2024): Meta Quest Headsets Issues, Pimax’s New Headset Launch, and More!

As we bid farewell to another year, it’s always a time to reflect, and I’ve penned a couple of insightful posts looking back on my 2024 experiences in XR. They contain valuable insights, so if you missed them, you might want to take a peek. The first one details my adventures at various XR events, while the second assesses the state of XR in 2024, highlighting both its positives and negatives. Besides catching up on those, I hope you’re celebrating the year’s end surrounded by loved ones. Here’s to a fantastic 2025! 😊

Top news of the week

Meta Quest Headset Woes During Christmas

This holiday season, some Meta Quest headsets unfortunately got bricked due to the latest v72 update. Devices that hadn’t been updated in a while seemed most affected, and when they attempted this cumulative update, a dreaded corrupt boot screen appeared, leaving some users in the lurch right when they’d planned to enjoy family fun with their new gadgets. Initial response from Meta was slow, given the holiday timing, and they even initially declined support for out-of-warranty devices. But after enough noise was made, they tackled the issue head-on, fixing the update bug and guiding affected users on restoring their devices. They’ve also gone a step further by offering free replacement Quest 3S headsets for those with bricked devices, including some Horizon Store credits. While Meta eventually navigated this crisis successfully, it’s another reminder of the perils of launching major updates just before a holiday. This incident surely calls for more cautious planning in future rollouts.

Pimax Unveils Compact Dream Air Headset

Pimax continues its relentless pace of new releases with the announcement of its latest compact headset, the Dream Air. Unlike earlier bulky models targeting wide field of view users, Dream Air is designed for folks who favor sleeker options like BigScreen Beyond or MeganeX. It touts features such as hand and eye tracking, automatic IPD adjustment, and uniquely, an auto-fitting strap. Additionally, a separate external puck, called Cobb, can transform it into a standalone-like device with its own battery and Snapdragon XR2 processor. Specs are impressive: micro-OLED displays, high resolution, and interesting audio and visual capabilities. Priced at $1900, with a mid-2025 release targeted, some skepticism remains about potential delays. The mixed community reaction raises eyebrows about Pimax’s crowded lineup of headsets, yet some appreciate the strategic maneuver of matching consumer buzz. Dream Air might just test a new market focus, leaning towards clarity and comfort over field of view. We’re keeping a close eye on how this pans out.

Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Getting a Display Upgrade?

The Ray-Ban Meta glasses were quite the hit in 2024, and now there’s chatter about a new version featuring a display for notifications and AI interactions. If true, and if Luxottica’s involved, these glasses could merge style with functionality, likely boosting their appeal and market reach.

CES Set to Reveal New XR Devices

The CES tech bonanza kicks off next week (I’ll be attending!), and there’s a buzz about upcoming XR-related announcements. Sony’s teasing "Infinite Realities," DPVR’s hinting at a mystery product, and NVIDIA might unveil RTX 50 series cards. Expect a flurry of excitement—I’ll bring you exclusive updates from the event!

Noteworthy Mentions

Meta’s Horizon app made a splash in app stores this holiday season, indicating solid Quest sales. Meanwhile, Pico’s SecureMR offers privacy-minded passthrough APIs. However, there’s a bittersweet note as Magic Leap One is about to lose server support, turning once-innovative headsets into costly décor.

LiDAR Data Accessibility Expands

Following on last week’s revelation of Tokyo’s free LiDAR data, it seems many regions are opening up access to similar data, although with varying precision. This could be a boon for enterprises delving into digital twins and spatial solutions.

Road To VR and Fanatical’s Exciting Game Picks

Road To VR has spotlighted its top games of the year, not surprisingly with Batman: Arkham Shadow leading on Quest. Over at Fanatical, they’re offering a tantalizing VR games deal—pick your own Quest library combo at attractive prices!

Content Corner: New Projects & Releases

• WarpFrog teases a new game rich in physics and moddable fun.
• "Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable" is now complete, delighting series fans.
• Game Night promises dynamic fun on Quest with its exciting multiplayer setup.

In Other News

• Samsung’s XR headset will incorporate Google’s “Find My Device” feature.
• The Quest startup animation surprise: it’s a live 3D model, not a video!

Holiday Wishes and Fun Links

This week, in lieu of partner updates, I’m sending warm holiday wishes your way. Gift yourself with some humor—here are a few fun tidbits and XR memes to end the year on a lighter note.

Support for Ukraine

Before wrapping up, let’s remember those in need. Instead of asking for support for my blog, consider donating to the Red Cross to aid those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A huge thank you to my Patreon supporters for their continual generosity.

Support The Red Cross in Ukraine

Let’s step into the new year with optimism and kindness. And, as always, stay tuned for more exciting XR news and insights!

(Header image by Pimax)

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