The XR Weekly Update (02.18.2025): Ray-Ban Meta Reaches 2 Million Sales, Rumors of Meta’s Humanoid Robots, and More!

Back in Italy, and though I’m a bit worn out, I’m feeling great. I hope your Valentine’s Day was as lovely as could be, surrounded by those you cherish. One of the reasons I’m on cloud nine is because my article about Android XR and camera permissions kind of blew up. It got picked up by some major players—Road to VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority. Getting that kind of recognition is definitely a “pinch me” moment, and it’s a nice reminder of the work I put into it! 😊 But enough about that, let’s dive into this week’s juiciest XR news!

Top News of the Week

Ray-Ban Meta Reaches 2 Million Sales Milestone

Ray-Ban Meta glasses have been quite the hit, according to EssilorLuxottica’s CEO, Francesco Milleri. In the company’s Q4 2024 earnings call, he hailed the product as a runaway success, having shifted 2 million units to date. That number gels with what I had heard through the grapevine. It seems users are sticking around, which is exactly what you want with a new tech product. There’s a plan to ramp up production, aiming for a whopping 10 million units by the close of 2026. While this buzz around smart glasses is exciting—thanks, in part, to Ray-Ban’s iconic branding and extensive distribution—I maintain a cautious stance. Not every tech brand can boast the prestige of Ray-Ban, and, if you’re looking at cold hard numbers, we’re not in smartphone territory yet. While 10M units sound impressive, the adoption curve needs to keep climbing for true market validation.

Other Relevant News

Meta’s Venture into Humanoid Robots

Rumor has it through Bloomberg that Meta’s Reality Labs is venturing into creating humanoid robots. Now, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill bots—they’re AI-driven and capable of performing everyday tasks. It kind of makes sense given the heaps of data from AR and VR headsets like Project Aria that can aid development. Interestingly, Meta isn’t planning to build the robots themselves. They’re likely looking to handle the heavy lifting of creating AI systems, sensors, and software before outsourcing the hardware manufacturing. Yet, considering the financial challenges within Meta specifically regarding XR, the wisdom of branching into another high-cost, uncertain venture feels questionable to me.

Apple’s Vision Pro Gears Up for Major Updates

Bloomberg reports suggest Apple is prepping to roll out Apple Intelligence on its Vision Pro headsets by April. This update could see the integration of a spatial content app and an improved guest mode. They’re also allegedly on the lookout for Chinese partners to bring AI tech onboard. In response to Google’s Gemini-equipped Android XR, Apple Intelligence could indeed be a game-changer in this ongoing tech rivalry. It’s all moving pretty fast with Apple, Google, and Meta, each trying to outdo one another.

AugmentOS: Easing Smartglasses App Development

Mentra’s new launch, AugmentOS, aims to streamline smartglasses app development. The platform allows developers to create one application compatible with multiple smartglass models, thanks to the AugmentOS SDK. This could address a common gripe about the fragmentation in this eco-space. While its success remains to be seen, I’m excited by the direction it promises.

News Worth a Mention

PSVR 2’s Impressive Holiday Sales

The PSVR 2 saw its holiday sales skyrocket following a price slash from $550 to $350, marking a five-fold sales increase compared to the previous year. Although Quest still holds the lead in numbers, Sony might consider sticking with the lower price long-term.

Anduril Takes Charge of the IVAS Project

Defense tech company Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey, is now steering the IVAS project initially handled by Microsoft. With Microsoft remaining in the picture via Azure cloud support, Anduril is expected to deliver a solution that meets military demands better than the previous iteration.

Specialized Hosting for WebXR: Wonderland Cloud

Create Worlds is unveiling Wonderland Cloud, tailored for hosting WebXR applications. With features like multiplayer support and spatial voice chat, it could be a vital tool for developers seeking streamlined WebXR solutions.

NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 vs. RTX 4090

A couple of YouTubers have put the NVIDIA RTX 5090 up against its predecessor, the RTX 4090, showcasing improved VR performance with the newer model.

Exploring VR Communities Over 50

Bobby Carlton’s article highlights a lesser-spoken segment of VR users—those over 50. With games tailored primarily to younger audiences like Gen-Z, this piece digs into the apps that resonate with older age groups, often around fitness and social interaction.

A 3D Mini NBA Match on Your Desk

NBA’s partnership with Apple Vision Pro brings live game viewing to a new level with its Tabletop feature. While possibly more of a novelty than a mainstay, it’s undeniably a remarkable technological trick.

Horizon Store Sale

Don’t miss the ongoing Quest Store sale featuring notable titles like Among Us VR and LEGO Bricktales, active until February 23.

First PSVR 2 Hand-Tracked Game Unveiled

Sony’s PSVR 2 has welcomed its first hand-tracked game, “Waltz of the Wizard." The feature integrates seamlessly with the game’s magic-based mechanics, offering top-notch tracking quality.

Additional News

In content news, Skydance rolls out a hefty update for “Behemoth,” and “Into The Radius 2” is set to hit Quest early next year. Meanwhile, we ponder what could have been with Ready At Dawn’s canceled VR project.

Let’s not forget some fresh arrivals and updates coming to various gaming platforms, like “The Midnight Walk” for PSVR 2 and PC, or “Dreams of Another” featuring unique graphics debuting this year.

Before we finish, I want to spotlight the commendable support from our partners and friends, like Prima Immersive’s stunning video quality on Apple Vision Pro or Aviar’s innovative VR training solutions.

Finally, a lighthearted note with some fun XR tidbits—a humorous glance at moving too much in VR or a cheeky poke at VRChat marketing. Remember, while my blog sustains itself through ads and affiliate links, my current focus is still on encouraging donations to aid those affected by conflicts like the ongoing situation in Ukraine. A heartfelt thank you to all the Patrons and supporters, your ongoing backing is incredibly appreciated!

Until next time, keep exploring the fantastic world of XR!