Meta Quest 3(S) advances, 2025 critical for Reality Labs, and Batman surpasses one million users. Here are the XR highlights of the week.
Each week, our XR Update brings you the most significant XR news from the previous seven days, complete with short summaries. For more details on a topic, follow the link provided in the relevant section. We include both factual updates and expert insights.
Enjoy exploring this week’s developments!
MIXED Reader Inquiries
Will virtual reality see another major technological breakthrough soon?
This week, MIXED reader Lars inquired about the possibility of significant advancements in VR technology in the coming years. We believe that while a major revolution may not be on the immediate horizon, gradual evolutionary progress can be expected over the next five years.
MIXED Reviews & Previews
Testing on Meta Quest: This app integrates your smartphone with your VR headset
Want to listen to music, chat, and use your smartphone apps while immersed in VR? Spatial Phone makes it possible. We tested this new application on Meta Quest. The concept behind Spatial Phone is innovative, though it currently faces some technical challenges and limitations.
XR Hardware: Updates on VR, AR, and Mixed Reality Headsets
Meta Quest 3: A significant new MR interface is coming soon
Access to the camera for Quest developers, expected by early 2025, will “open up numerous possibilities for mixed reality,” according to Reality Labs Director Andrew Bosworth.
Meta Quest: Return of the Remote Achievements app seems unlikely
The head of technology at Meta commented on the discontinuation of the Achievements app, indicating that its return is not anticipated, mainly due to low user engagement.
Apple: VR controller still in development, display headset project shelved
Apple continues to work with Sony on controller support for the PSVR 2 for the Vision Pro. However, the development of a Mac-compatible display headset has been abandoned. The product was envisioned to resemble a regular headset but with integrated displays.
DLSS 4 enhances VR gaming graphics sharply — but installation can be tricky
Nvidia’s latest AI upscaling technology, DLSS 4, significantly enhances image quality in virtual reality settings. User feedback suggests substantial improvements in VR gaming experiences, although the installation process currently involves several manual steps.
XR Market and Business Updates
New SteamVR data: Meta Quest 3(S) shows strong growth
According to the latest data from SteamVR, the Quest 3 and Quest 3S are quickly catching up to the Quest 2, with Quest 3S now ranked 5th among the most-used PC VR headsets, up from 9th place last December.
2025: A pivotal year for Meta Reality Labs
The stakes are increasing for Reality Labs: a leaked memo reveals the head of technology at Meta gearing up his team for a critical period. The year 2025 and beyond could determine the future of the department and the broader industry, potentially necessitating significant strategic shifts.
Meta Quest in transition: crisis or opportunity?
Meta has acknowledged that the Quest ecosystem is undergoing substantial changes. This transition period offers little solace to VR studios struggling to adapt, as the user base and their content preferences continue to evolve.
VR Games and XR Apps: The Latest
Quest 3: Batman’s cape donned by over a million users
The potential VR game of the year for 2024, Batman: Arkham Shadow, has already attracted at least one million players.