In a blog post, Meta revealed the name it has given the OS, now that it is not longer exclusively tied to the Quest headsets: Meta Horizon OS.

Today we’re taking the next step toward our vision for a more open computing platform for the metaverse. We’re opening up the operating system powering our Meta Quest devices to third-party hardware makers, giving more choice to consumers and a larger ecosystem for developers to build for. We’re working with leading global technology companies to bring this new ecosystem to life and making it even easier for developers to build apps and reach their audiences on the platform.

This new hardware ecosystem will run on Meta Horizon OS, the mixed reality operating system that powers our Meta Quest headsets. We chose this name to reflect our vision of a computing platform built around people and connection—and the shared social fabric that makes this possible. Meta Horizon OS combines the core technologies powering today’s mixed reality experiences with a suite of features that put social presence at the center of the platform.

Meta is calling this latest move “the result of a decade of work by Meta to build a next-generation computing platform.” The company already has ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox as partners.

The company says this latest move will improve the experience for developers and users alike.

As we begin opening Meta Horizon OS to more device makers, we’re also expanding the ways app developers can reach their audiences. We’re beginning the process of removing the barriers between the Meta Horizon Store and App Lab, which lets any developer who meets basic technical and content requirements ship software on the platform. App Lab titles will soon be featured in a dedicated section of the Store on all our devices, making them more discoverable to larger audiences. Some of the most popular apps on the Store today, like Gorilla Tag and Gym Class, began on App Lab. We’re excited to make it even easier for developers to quickly ship their titles on our platform.

Along with a more open app store, Meta Horizon OS will continue to give people more choice in how to access apps. Because we don’t restrict users to titles from our own app store, there are multiple ways to access great content on Meta Horizon OS, including popular gaming services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or through Steam Link or our Air Link system for wirelessly streaming PC software to headsets. And we encourage the Google Play 2D app store to come to Meta Horizon OS, where it can operate with the same economic model it does on other platforms.

Meta is clearly taking aim at Apple and its Vision Pro, especially with the comment about not limiting users’ access to apps. Apple is well-known for its vertical integration, tightly controlling software and hardware. Meta appears to be taking a page out of Microsoft’s Windows playbook, allowing other manufacturers to use its software.

Only time will tell if it’s a winning strategy.

Tech aficionado Alex Harrison, known for his keen eye and insatiable curiosity, recently embarked on a quest to uncover the Apple Vision Pro’s lesser-known treasures. Armed with determination and a thirst for discovery, Harrison delved deep into the device’s app ecosystem, unearthing seven captivating gems that promise to redefine the Vision Pro experience.

At the forefront of Harrison’s exploration is Wisp World, a spatial app that transcends traditional boundaries to create a mesmerizing virtual world. In Wisp World, users are transported to a mystical forest inhabited by an enchanting AI-powered spirit. Through thought-provoking conversations and nurturing care, users foster the growth of a vibrant ecosystem where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. Despite its reliance on keyboard input, Wisp World captivates with its immersive visuals and promise of dynamic interaction.

Venturing further into augmented reality, Harrison discovers Hold the World. This groundbreaking app offers users a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the Natural History Museum alongside the legendary Sir David Attenborough. Through lifelike 3D holograms and interactive exhibits, Hold the World brings the wonders of the natural world to life, offering an educational journey unlike any other. As users interact with rare specimens and iconic artifacts, they gain new insights into the world around them, guided by the incomparable wisdom of Sir David Attenborough.

In a surprising turn, Harrison encounters Blackbox—a spatial game that challenges perception and intellect in equal measure. With its minimalist yet profound puzzles, Blackbox invites users to navigate a world of shifting perspectives and hidden challenges. Leveraging the Vision Pro’s eye and hand-tracking capabilities, the game transforms physical space into a canvas of endless possibilities, rewarding creativity and out-of-the-box thinking at every turn.

Not to be outdone, Void-X emerges as a hidden gem with unexpected depth and complexity. Initially dismissed as a simple 2D game, Void-X defies expectations with its immersive gameplay and retro-futuristic aesthetic. As players navigate through neon-lit bullet storms and epic boss battles, they are drawn into a world of adrenaline-pumping action and heart-pounding excitement. With its seamless integration of augmented reality and traditional gaming elements, Void-X offers a gaming experience that captivates players with its dynamic visuals and engaging gameplay.

Turning his attention to video content, Harrison explores VisionTube and Supercut—two apps that promise to revolutionize how users consume media on the Vision Pro. While VisionTube offers a personalized home screen and offline viewing capabilities, Supercut delivers an immersive Netflix experience with spatial audio and 4K resolution. Users dive into their favorite videos and binge-worthy series and are transported to endless entertainment, guided by Vision Pro’s unrivaled capabilities.

Rounding out the lineup is Callsheet, a comprehensive tool for movie and TV aficionados seeking insights into their favorite content and performers. With its spoiler prevention measures and ad-free browsing experience, Callsheet stands as a beacon of utility and viewer experience, offering a seamless portal to the entertainment industry’s inner workings.

As Harrison concludes his exploration, he leaves viewers eager for more, promising to unveil even more hidden gems in the coming days. With each revelation, the Apple Vision Pro cements its status as a gateway to unparalleled experiences, inviting users to embark on a journey of discovery and imagination.

In a world inundated with mainstream offerings, the allure of the unknown beckons, promising untold adventures and uncharted territories. With the Apple Vision Pro as their guide, users are poised to uncover hidden treasures and redefine the boundaries of possibility in the digital realm. As Harrison’s journey demonstrates, the Vision Pro’s true magic lies not only in its mainstream appeal but also in the depths of its hidden gems, waiting to be discovered by those bold enough to seek them out.

According to The Verge, Meta sent an email to Oculus users warning them of the impending shutdown of their accounts and reminding them to migrate to a Meta account. The company has set a deadline of March 29, 2024 for the migration.

After telling users their emails are scheduled for deletion on March 29, the email goes on to say:

If your Oculus account is deleted you will no longer be able to use Meta Quest with your Oculus account and you won’t be able to reactivate or retrieve anything from the account, including:

• All of your apps and in-app purchases
• Existing app store credits
• Your achievements
• Your friends list
• Any content you created with your Oculus account

Users can go here to complete the migration.

The company revealed the news on its Deprecated features for Windows client page:

Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. This deprecation includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and Steam VR Beta.

Companies have struggled to realize the potential of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, and Microsoft is no exception. The company has been scaling back some of its efforts, with Windows Mixed Reality’s deprecation the latest indication of such measures.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, via DigitalTrends, Apple has received feedback that the current model “has caused neck strain in testing due to its size and weight.”

As a result of the feedback, Apple’s engineers are working to make the second-gen device smaller and lighter, a more suitable option for longer sessions.

“Work on the next Vision Pro remains early, but the company is hoping to make the device lighter and at least slightly smaller,” Gurman wrote, adding that “testing has shown that it can feel too heavy for some users — even in short stretches.”

Apple’s Vision Pro is already impressing developers, with many audibly gasping when using it for the first time. If the company is able to make it smaller, lighter, and more comfortable, it will no doubt go a long way toward the device’s adoption.

Apple has been transitioning from Intel processors to its own M-series line of custom silicon chips. The transition is largely complete, but many Mac owners still have Intel-based machines.

According to AppleInsider, developers want to create apps for Apple’s new Vision Pro “spatial computer” will not be able to rely entirely on Intel-based machines. Release notes for Xcode 15.1 beta (Apple’s development environment) make clear that an M-series Mac will be required to unlock all of the visionOS simulator’s features.

While some features may still work on Intel, Apple is clearly not willing to invest extra effort or resources to make the simulator fully compatible with Intel chips. It’s hard to argue with the company’s position, as it is clearly all-in on its own custom silicon.

As AI points out, this is yet another warning sign to owners of Intel-based Macs that the days Apple supporting their hardware are quickly coming to a close.

Reality Labs is the division of Meta responsible for furthering CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse dream. According to a report by Reuters, the layoffs are specifically impacting employees responsible for designing the custom silicon Meta hopes to use to power its virtual reality devices.

Employees were reportedly notified of the impending layoffs via the company’s internal forum, although they will have to wait until Wednesday morning to know if they are personally impacted.

As Reuters points out, the silicon team within Reality Labs was tasked with creating chips that could help the company develop VR/AR products that had a competitive edge over rivals. Unfortunately, chip design is not in Meta’s DNA like it is in some other companies, such as Apple. As a result, the division has struggled to deliver.

Apple introduced the Vision Pro at WWDC, billing the headset as a “spatial computer.” The company has been inviting developers to its Vision Pro labs to see how their apps will look and function with the Vision Pro, and the experience is far better than many developers expected.

“It was like seeing Fantastical for the first time,” said Flexibits CEO Michael Simmons. “It felt like I was part of the app.”

“A bordered screen can be limiting. Sure, you can scroll, or have multiple monitors, but generally speaking, you’re limited to the edges,” he added. “Experiencing spatial computing not only validated the designs we’d been thinking about — it helped us start thinking not just about left to right or up and down, but beyond borders at all.”

Developer David Smith made the necessary preparations to test his app at Apple’s lab, but was unprepared for how immersive the experience was compared to the Vision Pro simulator developers have access to.

“I’d been staring at this thing in the simulator for weeks and getting a general sense of how it works, but that was in a box,” Smith said. “The first time you see your own app running for real, that’s when you get the audible gasp.”

If these reactions are any indication, Apple may quickly become the company to beat in the VR/AR industry.

The global AR/VR B2C industry is booming.  By 2023, this industry is expected to earn a whopping $31.12 billion, and if industry experts are correct, we will see an impressive rise to $52.05 billion by 2027.  A 67% growth rate within a span of four years is nothing short of remarkable.

What is Spatial Computing? 

It encompasses a wide spectrum, from the real world to a purely computer-generated environment.  There are four major categories here:  Reality, Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR).

Diving into AR, products like XREAL air employ near-to-eye display technology, enabling users to interact in a 3-D space.  While the physical and digital realms do not interact directly, tools like Augmedics can significantly enhance surgical precision by projecting accurate spinal placements.  Lumus’ Z-Lens stands out as an innovation, allowing a seamless blend of AR with prescription eyewear.

Mixed reality takes it up a notch.  Here, physical and digital elements coalesce.  Apple Vision Pro, for instance, weaves digital content directly into our physical surroundings.  Despite the expansive growth, it is notable how the tech is shrinking in size but not in potential.

Then there is virtual reality.  In this realm, the digital domain reigns supreme.  Meta Quest 2 offers a panoramic 90-degree view, ensuring users are fully ensconced in their digital surroundings.  For those learning to fly, VRpilot is a game-changer, allowing pilots to test their flying prowess in a virtual setting.

The AR/VR Shift

A shift is evident.  By 2024, it is estimated that a staggering 1.4 billion devices globally will boast AR capabilities.  This shift touches various aspects of our lives.  From the gaming industry, where 49% crave AR experiences, to the realms of education and health, spatial computing is making its mark.

Imagine a work environment where holographic calls become the norm or where projects are designed, built, and finalized in a virtual space.  Even the idea of typing or texting might become obsolete as work transcends the need for physical displays or keyboards.

Leisure activities are not left behind.  The world of play is brimming with potential.  Enter the Metaverse and games like Espire 2 or Pokémon GO beckon.  Fancy a singing session?  Karaoke lyrics can now appear directly on your AR glasses.

Educational realms stand to gain immensely.  Interactive learning, virtual field trips, and the ability to jot down notes anywhere and anytime are just the tip of the iceberg.  Healthcare too, with its AR-assisted procedures and real-time symptom diagnostics, is on the brink of a transformation.

But what does this mean for our trusty smartphones?  As near-to-eye displays gain traction, smartphones might take a back seat.  In 2023 alone, smartphone sales dipped by 14%, while AR glasses sales surged by over 45%.

Conclusion

At the heart of these glasses is the waveguide technology.  Reflective waveguides, in particular, offer numerous benefits, such as enhanced battery efficiency and brighter displays.  These developments point to an intriguing future. In essence, spatial computing, as showcased by Lumus, is not just a fleeting trend.  It is poised to revamp how we perceive and interact with the world.  The lines between the real and virtual are blurring, and we are on the precipice of a new digital era.

Initial testing of Microsoft’s goggles resulted in “mission-affecting physical impairments” in 80% of soldiers. Impairments manifested after less than three hours of use. As a result of those tests, Congress refused to give the Army $400,000 million to purchase an additional 6,900 units. Instead, legislators approved $40 million to address the issues and improve the designs.

The company confirmed to Engadget that it will deliver 20 IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System) 1.2 devices in July, with Bloomberg saying the Army intends to begin testing them in late August.

As Engadget points out, much is riding on these tests, especially for Microsoft. If the company has not resolved the issues with motion sickness, it will likely lose the Army contract, casting doubt on the overall project.

Augmented and mixed reality are among the hottest sectors in tech, with Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and others investing heavily in its development. Unfortunately for Google, the company has not had as clear a focus or direction as some of its rivals.

Read More: Googlers Liken CEO to Shrek Villain Over Pay Raise Amid Layoffs

Lucovsky says he is leaving the company, confirming what many suspected about Google’s focus.

I have decided to step away from my role at Google, where I was Senior Director of Engineering, responsible for OS and Software Platform for AR and XR devices. The recent changes in AR leadership and Google’s unstable commitment and vision have weighed heavily on my decision.

Moving forward, I am eager to explore opportunities that allow me to further advance Augmented Reality technology and its intersection with generative AI. I approach the next chapter with enthusiasm and anticipation for the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Mark Lucovsky (@marklucovsky) — July 10, 2023

Google has seemingly struggled to execute on more than one major front. The company was caught flat-footed by Microsoft’s foray into AI, and subsequently rushed its own development, much to the consternation of its employees.

Being called out by one of its own executives for its “unstable commitment and vision” to AR/XR is not likely to assuage critics’ concerns that Google and CEO Sundar Pichai can successfully execute.

Since the App Store is the only distribution method for iOS apps, Apple created TestFlight as a way for developers to beta test their apps and get feedback from users. With the upcoming Vision Pro, Apple has added support for visionOS in TestFlight.

The company made the announcement via its developer program:

In addition, TestFlight now supports visionOS apps for internal and external testing, as well as testing iOS and iPadOS apps on visionOS.

The addition is good news for developers and will help them get their apps ready for Apple’s ‘spacial computer.’

Apple is coming off of its WWDC conference where the company unveiled a 15-inch MacBook Air, the upcoming iOS 17, and the highly-anticipated Vision Pro AR/VR headset, which Apple has dubbed a “spatial computer.”

The company’s showing at WWDC has caught the attention of Wedbush, especially in the context of the Apple’s ability to leverage its ecosystem to boost the Vision Pro, with the firm calling it a “revolutionary product,” according to Business Insider.

“Apple playing chess while others play checkers. In FY24 the Cupertino stalwart is on pace to approach $100 billion in annual services revenue growing double digits which is a jaw dropping trajectory vs. the roughly $40 billion+ of services revenue that Apple was delivering only in FY20,” Wedbush said, according to Yahoo.

Apple unveiled its Vision Pro AR/VR headset at WWDC yesterday. Early reviews indicate the company could have another hit on its hands, but Apple is certainly not resting on its laurels.

According to The Verge, Mira CEO Ben Taft posted to his private Instagram account to reveal that his company had been purchased by Apple. He also revealed that Apple hired 11 of Mira’s employees.

Mira has contracts with the US Air Force, the US Navy, and Nintendo World. Apple is notoriously close-lipped about why it purchased companies, but Mira clearly has something the company views as important to its future plans.

VR and augmented reality (AR) are widely considered to be one of the next big steps in computing, with companies like Meta and Microsoft sinking billions in its development. In typical fashion, Apple may have just pulled the rug out from under them, unveiling a product that appears far more mature and powerful than anything else on the market.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era for computing,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Just as the Mac introduced us to personal computing, and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing. Built upon decades of Apple innovation, Vision Pro is years ahead and unlike anything created before — with a revolutionary new input system and thousands of groundbreaking innovations. It unlocks incredible experiences for our users and exciting new opportunities for our developers.”

Paired with visionOS, Vision Pro takes computing 3D, giving users a virtual canvas to work with.

Apple Vision Pro enables users to be even more productive, with infinite screen real estate, access to their favorite apps, and all-new ways to multitask. And with support for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, users can set up the perfect workspace or bring the powerful capabilities of their Mac into Vision Pro wirelessly, creating an enormous, private, and portable 4K display with incredibly crisp text.

The company says Vision Pro will also provide immersive entertainment experiences, whether using the platform for watching a movie or playing a game.

With two ultra-high-resolution displays, Apple Vision Pro can transform any space into a personal movie theater with a screen that feels 100 feet wide and an advanced Spatial Audio system. Users can watch movies and TV shows, or enjoy stunning three-dimensional movies. Apple Immersive Video offers 180-degree high-resolution recordings with Spatial Audio, and users can access an exciting lineup of immersive videos that transport them to entirely new places.

Spatial computing makes new types of games possible with titles that can span a spectrum of immersion and bring gamers into all-new worlds. Users can also play over 100 Apple Arcade games on a screen as large as they want, with incredible immersive audio and support for popular game controllers.

Spatial computing looks like the culmination of many of Apple’s recent developments, combing its industry-leading M-series chips with its software design.

“Creating our first spatial computer required invention across nearly every facet of the system,” said Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Technology Development Group. “Through a tight integration of hardware and software, we designed a standalone spatial computer in a compact wearable form factor that is the most advanced personal electronics device ever.”

More to the point, Apple appears poised to revolutionize the VR industry, much as it revolutionized the computer industry and the smartphone industry.

First spotted by Vox Media’s Parker Ortolani, Apple registered the trademark in New Zealand via a shell corporation.

As Ortolani points out in followup tweets, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had previously reported that “xrOS” would be the name of the OS that would power Apple’s headset, contradicting earlier reports that it would be called “realityOS.”

The trademark appears to be the most concrete validation of Apple’s naming intentions.

HoloLens is Microsoft’s mixed reality headset at the center of its multiverse strategy. Windows 11 will bring a number of benefits, including improved security, Teams call, 3D annotations, and more.

The update will also give developers new tools that will make it easier to develop their applications for the HoloLens, according to Microsoft’s Robin Seiler:

In addition, as part of the upgrade, we’re excited to share that the latest developer tools, like Microsoft Edge WebView2 control, will now be available in preview on HoloLens 2. This gives dev teams the ability to embed web technologies (including HTML, CSS and JavaScript) into their native applications.

The headset is already being used in real-world applications, with Microsoft pointing to Porsche Cars North America as an example:

With HoloLens 2 and Dynamics 365 Guides, technicians at Porsche Cars North America dealerships can now view the world around them in 3D while connecting with a remote expert who can support highly technical service requests. This technology also allows Porsche dealership technicians to view 3D holograms of a car and participate in remote interactive training classes. Upskilling and retaining top talent is now more cost-efficient, and technical services take less time while still meeting the company’s high bar for quality and exceptional customer service.

Windows 11 is an optional upgrade. Those who prefer Windows 10 will be able to stay on it.

Meta has been heavily investing in the metaverse, the next generation of immersive virtual and augmented reality. Zuckerberg has a vision of what he wants the metaverse to be, one that’s reminiscent of something straight out of Ready Player One.

Individuals actually trying to work in the metaverse are not so thrilled, citing issues and irritations that constantly get in the way.

“I am totally immersed in the metaverse, have a big headset on, and then I need to take off the Oculus, look on my phone for the two-factor authentication code that’s been sent to my phone, then memorize the number, put my headset back on, and try to key it in,” a junior manager at Accenture told Slate.

“But when you take off the Oculus it automatically goes to sleep mode, and I was trying to navigate the back-and-forth.”

Similarly, an Accenture manager told Slate that “over the past year, when our company rolled out a bunch of Oculus headsets to a large population to see how we might self-adopt the technology. I feel like we were guinea pigs in how the metaverse might be applied to more of a workplace social setting.”

Read more: Oculus Founder Says Meta’s Metaverse Is Like ‘Project Car’ That’s ‘Not Good’

In addition to the logistic issues involved in integrating the metaverse into a corporate workflow, there are also the physical limitations of the tech, with some users struggling to deal with debilitating side effects.

For example, Congress recently refused additional funds to secure more Microsoft HoloLens combat goggles for the US Army. Despite the Army’s desire to integrate the AR goggles, tests showed 80% of soldiers experienced “mission-affecting physical impairments” after less than three hours of use.

Accenture evidently experienced similar issues, with some individuals struggling with motion sickness. Still others struggled with learning new VR social customs, such as how close to stand to other individuals. There were also issues with the VR models not offering enough options to properly represent users.

“The body shapes that were available in the [AltspaceVR app] didn’t have characters that had breasts,” the Accenture manager told Slate.

Only time will tell if Meta’s vision ultimately achieves success, although many are unconvinced. One major meta investor has already urged the company to scale back the $10 to $15 billion a year it is investing in the metaverse.

“The company has announced investments of $10–15B per year into a metaverse project that largely includes AR / VR / immersive 3D / Horizon World and that it may take 10 years to yield results,” the investor wrote. “An estimated $100B+ investment in an unknown future is super-sized and terrifying, even by Silicon Valley standards.”

Apple is well-known for churning out hit after hit. In fact, a person can count on one hand the number of Apple products that have flopped since Steve Jobs returned to the company. Nonetheless, according to The New York Times, employees are concerned that the upcoming mixed reality headset could be such a flop.

Eight current and former employees said many at Apple are skeptical that the headset will be a hit. The doubts range from the device’s $3,000 price tag to how useful it will be to whether the market even warrants such effort at this time.

To complicate matters even further, the mixed reality headset is a major departure from Apple’s usual approach. Apple is almost always slow to enter a market, learning from the failures of the companies that paved the way. The company then applies those lessons to create something unique that solves the existing pain points.

In the case of mixed reality, however, the market is still evolving and Apple has to create all-new elements that will help define it.

“Apple is always pretty good at coming into a market when the market is already established and changing that market,” said Carolina Milanesi, a consumer tech analyst for the research firm Creative Strategies. “This is not the case for Apple VR and XR. There’s still a lot of learning.”

These various factors make Apple’s foray into mixed reality its most ambitious gamble yet.

Apple has been rumored to be working on a mixed-reality headset for some time. Reports indicated the company could release it this April, after multiple previous delays. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a very reliable Apple watcher, the headset has been delayed once again.

Gurman’s sources say the company is delaying the launch of the headset from April to June, blaming both hardware and software issues that still need to be worked out.

Apple is well-known for obsessing over every detail of a product and has a track record of succeeding where many others fail in a given category. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the company is taking a couple of extra months to work out details it perceives as problems.