Just one week away from one of the most anticipated events in the XR space, and we have major developments shaking things up. HTC has revealed its Vive Focus Vision headset, Snap Inc. has announced a new version of its Spectacles AR glasses, and Meta has secured a long-term partnership with Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica, extending into the 2030s. In addition, Meta has launched a unique non-gaming app for aspiring artists on the Quest 3, now in early access.
Let’s dive into this week's XR highlights??
??HTC Announces Vive Focus Vision: Mixed Reality, Eye-Tracking, and $1,000 Price Tag
- HTC has unveiled its latest standalone XR headset, the Vive Focus Vision, aimed at enterprise users and prosumers.
- Priced at $1,000, the headset combines features from the Vive Focus 3 and Vive Elite XR, including dual 2,448 x 2,448 LCDs, color passthrough for mixed reality, and built-in eye-tracking.
- Pre-orders, open until October 17th, include a free Vive Wired Streaming Kit and seven VR games. The headset is powered by a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 chipset and offers a 120° field of view, automatic IPD adjustment, and hybrid functionality for both standalone use and PC VR gaming.
- More on: https://www.roadtovr.com/htc-vive-focus-vision-specs-price-release-date-announcement/
??Meta Extends Ray-Ban Partnership Into 2030s for Future Smart Glasses Development"
- Meta and EssilorLuxottica, the company behind brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, have extended their partnership into the next decade to develop multi-generational smart glasses.
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed excitement over turning eyewear into a major tech platform while keeping it fashionable.
- Despite reports that Meta’s upcoming HUD glasses won’t carry the Ray-Ban brand due to design constraints, Meta is exploring a 5% stake in EssilorLuxottica to influence future product decisions.
- The partnership reflects Meta's commitment to smart glasses without displays, powered by its Llama-series AI, with HUD and AR glasses planned as higher-end product lines.
??Snap Inc Unveils Spectacles '24 AR Glasses with Developer-Friendly Pricing and Advanced Features
- Snap Inc has introduced the Spectacles '24 AR glasses, offering significant upgrades in field-of-view, resolution, and hand-tracking, with a focus on developers rather than consumers.
- Available for $100 per month on a one-year commitment, the glasses come with enhanced specs, such as a 46° field of view, dual RGB cameras, and a depth sensor.
- The new SnapOS software features advanced hand-tracking, social integration, and support for smartphone control. While still too bulky for mass consumer adoption, Spectacles '24 aims to inspire developers to build the future of AR experiences.
- More on: https://www.roadtovr.com/snapchat-spectacles-24-ar-glasses-specs-price-release-date/
??Pencil App Brings Mixed Reality Art Lessons to Meta Quest 3
- The mixed reality app Pencil is now available in early access for Meta Quest 3 and Quest Pro headsets, offering a unique way to learn drawing.
- Users can sync physical paper with virtual guiding lines, using a left-hand controller as a paperweight.
- Originally developed as part of a Meta hackathon, Pencil provides step-by-step tutorials on essential art techniques like shape, perspective, and anatomy, as well as a free draw mode.
- With further development, Pencil shows great promise for art education in mixed reality, especially with the future release of the MX Ink stylus.
And that's a wrap for this week!
?? Stay tuned with Odders XR Reality Newsletter for more updates on everything VR and AR, and feel free to share your thoughts on the latest developments in the comments below!
