LEGO Builder's Journey will launch as Mixed Reality game on Apple Vision Pro
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.
Meta reportedly canceled the development of Augments for its AR glasses
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 announces new immersive meeting app for Apple Vision Pro
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 secures $60M and prepares for production ramp-up
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.
Free update for XR fitness app Les Mills Bodycombat adds elbow strikes, new workouts and more
Developer Odders has released a new update for the XR fitness app Les Mills Bodycombat. The "Volcano Update" introduces a new key move, the elbow strike, to the virtual workout routines. In addition, five new workouts of varying difficulty have been added to the existing catalog of over 50 workouts, and a new Sword and Sorcery Legends-inspired setting has been introduced. Last year, Odders added a mixed reality mode and a virtual dance studio to the Les Mills XR series.
Apple wants to offer more music in Spatial Audio format
Apple Music will reportedly pay artists a 10 percent higher royalty rate for music offered in spatial audio format. The new financial incentives are intended to further accelerate the distribution of spatial music in the Apple Music catalog. This would also benefit Apple Vision Pro users, who would be able to enjoy an audio-visual spatial experience. According to Apple, more than 90 percent of subscribers have already tried Spatial Audio, and the total number of Spatial Audio plays has more than tripled in the last two years.
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