Augmented Reality integrates the digital world into reality based on location and objects. Currently, AR with the smartphone is popular: Social apps like Instagram offer thousands of AR filters for faces or the environment, Google navigates through Maps with augmented reality or displays life-size AR animals in Google Search. Apple makes 3D scanning accessible with special lidar technology in the iPhone, giving many people the opportunity to create their own AR content. The AR industry’s big goal is slim AR glasses suitable for everyday use that will eventually replace smartphones: imagine walking through a shopping mall and seeing purchase recommendations right at the front doors of stores through AR glasses. Of course, there are countless other application scenarios. This is still science fiction – but we’ll be the first to tell you whether it comes true.
Apple has released the first developer beta of visionOS 1.1 for Vision Pro, which introduces improvements to the appearance of Personas. Several user posts have already surfaced showing the more detailed avatars. The spatial representation of users during video calls has received mixed reviews in initial Vision Pro testing. As this is still a beta feature, expect Apple to continue to improve the visual quality of Personas.
YouTube has plans to support Vision Pro, according to a statement from company spokesperson Jessica Gibby to The Verge. While no specific details or timeline were shared, Gibby confirmed that a Vision Pro app is in YouTube's future plans. It remains unclear whether YouTube will simply modify the existing iPad app or develop something more comprehensive for Vision Pro. YouTube, Spotify and Netflix had previously announced that they would not be providing apps for visionOS for the time being.
Kluge Interactive has redeveloped its popular VR rhythm game, Synth Riders, for the new Apple Vision Pro. The game is available on Apple Arcade, Apple's game subscription service. The revamped version features an audio-reactive spatial environment with over 70 songs from a variety of genres. It features a fresh look and feel, an updated user experience, and the ability to switch between a portal to a retro-futuristic world in your physical environment and a fully immersive experience.
Light Brick Studios, the developer behind LEGO Builder's Journey, will release the game in a Mixed Reality version on the upcoming Apple Vision Pro on February 2, 2024. LEGO Builder's Journey is a geometric puzzle game with a creative mode that allows players to build their own models and share photos of their creations. In the visionOS version, players can place the digital LEGO buildings in the physical environment.
The Information reports that Meta has discontinued development of an AR feature called Augments for its upcoming AR glasses. No reasons are given. The publication speculates that Meta is cutting costs and narrowing its priorities in the AR space, especially since Meta's first AR glasses will not launch for at least another three years. However, development of Augments for Quest headsets will continue, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Information also reports that the team working on AR glasses and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses will be merged. Meta is also putting more energy and priority into the development of Ray-Ban glasses, according to two people with direct knowledge.
Zoom has announced a new app for Apple Vision Pro, set to launch on February 2, 2024. The app will support immersive meeting environments. Features also include spatial representations of users called "Personas" and a "Spatial Zoom experience" for customizable immersive meetings. Additional features expected later this spring include 3D object sharing, team chat integration, and pinning up to five meeting participants in your physical surroundings.
AR glasses maker Xreal has secured $60 million in a confidential strategic funding round, bringing its total fundraising to $300 million. The new funds will be used for research, development, and factory expansion to increase production of its AR glasses. Previous investors include Alibaba, Nio Capital, Sequoia, Kuaishou and Gentle Monster. In January, Xreal announced that it had shipped 350,000 pairs of AR glasses and introduced the Xreal Air 2 Ultra as a competitor to the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3. Priced at $699, the Xreal Air 2 Ultra is available for pre-order and will begin shipping in March.
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