Road to VR

MARCH 12, 2024

Apple’s significant impact on the market tends to draw attention from companies that might not have otherwise entered a specific product category—aka “The Apple Effect.” So why Apple, and why now? So why Apple, and why now? And that’s in spite of its $3,500 price tag.

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Road to VR

NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Khronos Group , the consortium behind the OpenXR project which aims to standardize the way applications communicate with AR and VR headsets, just added Microsoft to its ranks. Among its count of members, the OpenXR working group consisted of nearly every major player in the industry except Microsoft until now.

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Road to VR

MAY 9, 2018

Later this year, Microsoft is increasing the cut developers earn when publishing on the Microsoft Store. Microsoft says in a blog post that gaming apps won’t see the raise from the standard percentage, which at the time of this writing is a standard 70/30 split. Check out more details on the Microsoft blog post.

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The Ghost Howls

MAY 25, 2020

OMG, it’s almost 3 years that I write these roundups… the first week peek was exclusive for my blog subscribers and it featured as best news the release of Google Blocks and in the other news something about Samsung Gear VR… how much time has passed since then! Apple Glasses may release in 2021 for $499. Image by Oculus).

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VRScout

FEBRUARY 25, 2019

Microsoft debuts their latest mixed reality device at Mobile World Conference 2019. Over these past three and a half years, Microsoft has been listening to their customers, claims HoloLens inventor and Microsoft Technical Fellow Alex Kipman as he took his turn on stage. Microsoft HoloLens 2 / Image Credit: Microsoft.

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The Ghost Howls

SEPTEMBER 22, 2019

Considering that Facebook is very smart also in leaking misleading info (as it has happened with the “Monterey” headset ), this can also be a move from Menlo Park to create hype for the upcoming Oculus Connect 6 and the AR glasses that will be teased there. We may know the field of view of Apple AR headset. Other relevant news.

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The Ghost Howls

JUNE 23, 2020

Apple announces ARKit 4, amongst new rumors of XR headsets. The story goes on telling that Apple VR headset had realistic visuals and sound, it was super-cool and probably we’ll see a release date of 2022/2023. More info (New rumors about Apple and XR) More info (Apple ARKit4). We all can’t wait. Other relevant news.

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The Ghost Howls

JULY 20, 2020

(Image by Oculus). Oculus could be starting the production of a new Quest at the end of July. Multiple reports seem to confirm that Oculus is actually starting the production of a new Oculus Quest headset, with an expected release date in 2021. Google’s investment for a 7.7% of units more produced annually.

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The Ghost Howls

MAY 7, 2022

Just to make an example, I was there when there was the Netscape vs Internet Explorer war, but now the leading web browser is Google Chrome. Google Chrome, for instance, has been helped a lot by the fact that it is the pre-installed browser on all Android phones. Render of the possible upcoming Apple device (Image by Antonio DeRosa).

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Road to VR

JUNE 22, 2023

At least from the outside, it appears Microsoft isn’t actively competing for a seat at the XR table, which is fairly odd coming from a company that pioneered enterprise AR while simultaneously wrangling some of its top OEM partners to make a fleet of PC VR headsets for consumers in 2017. If Microsoft goes in half-cocked, maybe.

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The Ghost Howls

APRIL 13, 2020

Well, if the rumor becomes reality, this would mean that all next Apple devices will have both front and back depth cameras, for high-precision Augmented Reality and 3D reconstruction. Well played Apple. Let’s see if Facebook will be a worthier opponent than Google. Microsoft releases Azure Remote Rendering. supports VR.

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The Ghost Howls

JANUARY 22, 2021

As a long-time AR enthusiast, and one of the first to have tried Google Glass in Italy, I have to admit that I will consider AR mainstream only when it will be on glasses that we will wear all day , when we’ll live in a completely shared mixed reality world (the AR Cloud). Didn’t work (Image by Microsoft). Sounded good.

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The Ghost Howls

AUGUST 24, 2020

Oculus devices will require a Facebook login. The enormous piece of news of the week is tha t Facebook has communicated that from October, 20th, all people that want to use an Oculus device for personal use will have to use their personal Facebook account to log in. Top news of the week. Image by Tweakanalogy). The same on Twitter.

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The Ghost Howls

OCTOBER 1, 2024

Apple claims the M4 has a 50% more powerful CPU an d 4 times more powerful GPU than the M2 chipset mounted on the Vision Pro, so an M5 chipset may give the new Vision Pro unprecedented performances for a standalone MR headset. There are more than 10 apps that are already compatible with it, like Figmin XR and Osso VR.

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XR Today - Mixed Reality tag

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Googles AndroidXR Provides Developer Passthrough Access Recent news from the AndroidXR camp highlights a significant development advantage that some believe positions the new operating system ahead of the veteran firm Meta. The shark tank is growing, and leaders will emerge.

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The Ghost Howls

MARCH 1, 2024

A new cycle of XR The Apple Vision Pro launch has been a disruptive moment for our industry (Image by Apple) As I said in a popular post a few months ago , I think we have entered a new cycle for immersive realities. Huawei and Pico are rumored to be working on an Apple Vision Pro competitor).

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VRScout

JUNE 18, 2017

The leaders of tech juggernauts like Apple, Google, and Facebook have been making aggressive moves into the space while publicly endorsing the world-changing potential of AR. Apple CEO Tim Cook. This month, Apple launched ARKit , a new AR development kit that has already produced some interesting experiences.

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AR Insider

MARCH 30, 2021

This traces back to Facebook’s Oculus acquisition in early 2014 that kicked off the current wave of excitement….including That excitement culminated in 2016 after the Oculus acquisition had time to set off a chain reaction of startup activity, tech-giant investment, and VC inflows for the “next computing platform.” Part V: Apple.

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The Ghost Howls

JANUARY 10, 2022

New rumors on Apple and Meta devices. I know it may sound weird to you, but we have new rumors on Apple headsets and also about the future Meta Project Cambria and Quest 3. Regarding Apple, the super-reliable analysts have stated that the headset may feature three displays because just two are for losers. Other relevant news.

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Road to VR

FEBRUARY 4, 2019

Avi Bar-Zeev, Hololens co-inventor and longtime AR/VR stalwart, has left Apple, Variety reports. Bar-Zeev helped found and invent the core technologies behind HoloLens at Microsoft, assembling the company’s very first AR prototypes, demos and UX concepts. “ I had the best exit one can imagine.

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The Ghost Howls

JULY 9, 2022

The Digital Markets Act is a law that the European Parliament and Commission are discussing since 2020 and has the purpose of limiting the excessive power of the major tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta. Concept of a future AR glass by Apple. Fairer competition.

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The Ghost Howls

OCTOBER 7, 2024

Or maybe “relaxed” is not the right word to use, considering the little drama on Microsoft’s headsets. Top news of the week (Image by HP) Microsoft officially drops support for its Mixed Reality headsets Microsoft has just released the infamous Windows 11, version 24H2 update. I think this speaks a lot.

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The Ghost Howls

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

References found in the Oculus Quest 2 firmware by users Reggy04 and Basti564 highlight how the Quest 2 Pro should have: Eyes tracking Facial expressions tracking Eye relief knob Granular IPD adjustment External charging station. Apple VR headset may feature a 3000PPI microOLED display. Apple Event was not about AR, like, at all.

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Road to VR

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

It’s had pop-up events and in-store demos as far back as 2016 to prepare for the launch of the original Oculus Rift. Opening physical stores though would be much larger step for Meta, putting it in the same retail class as Microsoft, Apple and Google; the latter just opening its first retail store this summer.

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The Ghost Howls

APRIL 20, 2020

Last Oculus Quest update shows hints of an Oculus MR ecosystem. Facebook is continuously updating the Oculus Quest , its most successful device, and this week it has rolled out the runtime v16. I think that this update, together with the last ones, marks the beginning of a mixed reality ecosystem that is being built by Oculus.

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AR Insider

JANUARY 27, 2021

I n 2006, I attended a launch event in San Francisco for Microsoft Virtual Earth 3D. It let you essentially fly around a city, sort of like Google Earth but in three dimensions. In fairness, Google Earth offers 3D features. And Google Earth VR , lets users fly around cities in strikingly immersive ways. Force Multiplier.

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The Ghost Howls

JANUARY 17, 2022

The news of the week is that Meta is poaching talents from all the other companies : in particular, it has been able to “steal” 100 employees from the HoloLens team in Microsoft. The same has happened with Apple, which is now offering bonuses to employees to keep them inside the company. Apple may have delays for its headset.

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The Ghost Howls

JULY 24, 2023

Luckily there is AR that is still strong, and we can hope to wear Google AR glasses soon… ah no, they are dead too. Check-ins with Apple experts for UI design and development guidance, and help refining your app. This Apple-owned development device needs to be returned upon request.

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The Ghost Howls

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

These are pretty cool, also because the Snapdragon XR 2 is much more powerful than the 835 mounted by the Oculus Quest. Considering that this number doesn’t count the Quest users connected via Oculus Link, the actual number of VR users on Steam is even higher. Still no news on Oculus For Business program and Multiplayer SDK for Quest.

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UploadVR Between Realities podcast

JANUARY 29, 2017

For every Nintendo there is a Sega and for every Apple there is a Microsoft. There are a handful of major players already cutting their teeth in VR including Google, Sony and Samsung; but the two titans sitting at the top of the heap are Oculus and HTC. Oculus/Apple . For every Facebook there is a Twitter.

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XR Today - Virtual Reality

JUNE 13, 2022

For years, the company has been helping brands to unlock next-level promotional opportunities with AR ad campaign creation, and Oculus experiences. Among the biggest technology brands in the world, and a major name for any company interested in advertising within the digital world, Google has plenty to offer in XR promotion.

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ARPost

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

billion in 2019, with many billions more being invested in R&D by the likes of Facebook, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and many more. Their Oculus app allows real-time collaboration without ever leaving your home. A company still in stealth, but with founder pedigree from Apple.

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Road to VR

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Google—which is increasingly expanding its hardware business in the smartphone, connected home, and AR/VR sectors—has been fingered as one of the likely buyers. Google has tried to buy its way into hardware twice before, albeit more expensively. Those efforts largely fell short and the associated expenses slimmed Google’s margins.

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AR Insider

MARCH 16, 2021

This traces back to Facebook’s Oculus acquisition in early 2014 that kicked off the current wave of excitement….including That excitement culminated in 2016 after the Oculus acquisition had time to set off a chain reaction of startup activity, tech-giant investment, and VC inflows for the “next computing platform.” The Plurality.

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Road to VR

DECEMBER 7, 2018

Key Items Include: Large Quantities of 27” Apple Thunderbolt Displays. Oculus Systems/ Headsets. Google Daydream Systems/ Headsets. Assorted Microsoft Systems/ Accessories/ Controllers. Large Quantities of Dell Monitors. Samsung Odyssey Systems/ Headsets. Wacom 21” Tablets. Lenovo Mirage Systems/ Headsets.

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Road to VR

MARCH 19, 2017

” 2016 saw the arrival of 3 major consumer virtual reality headsets, the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR. Samsung confirmed at CES in January that its Oculus engineered Samsung Gear VR headset had passed an install base figure of 5 Million and more recently Google affirmed that it had shipped over 10 Million Cardboard viewers.

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The Ghost Howls

FEBRUARY 7, 2022

These are huge numbers for VR: if you look at the most recent SteamVR survey, you get that Oculus headsets are now at 67% of the whole PCVR market. A report from Insider states that Microsoft may have canceled its plans for HoloLens 3. It’s basically a monopoly. But there is also bad news to talk about. Some updates on Meta products.

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