Microsoft Kills Windows MR

Vision Pro release date leak, Quest App No.1 On Xmas and more

January 02, 2024

Happy New Year folks!

Cue ‘It’s been a year since we talked’ and other cringy New Year jokes. Personally, as a VR enthusiast, I’m hyped for 2024, as we have a lot of releases lined up.

The biggest of them will be the Apple Vision Pro, and I predict Apple will single-handedly revive the once-lost hype for VR. We now have a highly trustworthy source leaking the retail debut timeline for the Vision Pro. Let’s dive straight in…

Headlines for people in a hurry:

  • ⚰️ Microsoft Pulls The Plug On Windows Mixed Reality

  • 📅 Vision Pros To Hit Retail Shelves Next Month

  • 🥇 Meta Quest App Becomes #1 iPhone App On Xmas Day

  • 👨‍💼 UEVR Mod Brings 11,000+ PC Games to VR

Read time: 3 minutes

TOP STORIES

MICROSOFT

Microsoft Kills Windows Mixed Reality.

Microsoft has officially announced the deprecation of its Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) platform, signaling the end of support for WMR headsets in a future Windows release expected in late 2024. This decision impacts a range of headsets, including models from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, which all require Windows Mixed Reality software to function.

For regular users, this means that after November 1, 2026, for consumers (and a year later for commercial customers), the Mixed Reality Portal app and the SteamVR driver required for these headsets will no longer be available for download. Existing setups will continue to function as long as users do not upgrade to a Windows version that excludes WMR support. However, the ability to set up new devices or reinstall the necessary software on these headsets will be lost.

This move reflects Microsoft's shift in focus away from its own VR hardware to partnerships with other companies, like Meta, and a broader emphasis on software and cloud services. For the VR community, it marks the end of an era for Windows Mixed Reality, which was once a significant player in the early days of consumer VR.

APPLE

Vision Pro Available To Buy From February

Apple is ramping up the production of its much-anticipated Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, with a launch expected in February 2024.

According to insider sources, the manufacturing process is in full swing at facilities in China, and units could be ready by the end of January, leading to an official retail debut the following month.

This is impressive, as Apple faced various manufacturing challenges, which led analysts to predict that the device would only be ready by April or May. But it looks like Apple has beaten all odds to keep their promise. You can learn a thing or two from Apple about sticking to your New Year’s resolutions.

On Wednesday, Apple sent a message to developers saying “Get Ready, urging them to prepare for the Vision Pro by testing their applications with the latest tools and submitting their software for feedback.

META

Meta Quest App Becomes #1 Free App On iOS App Store During Christmas

The Meta Quest iPhone app achieved the number one spot as the top free app on the App Store on Christmas Day 2023. This significant milestone, which was independently verified and observed until at least December 27, suggests a surge in sales of Meta Quest headsets during the holiday season. The app is essential for setting up Quest headsets, including the Quest 2, Quest Pro, and the recently launched Quest 3.

The popularity of the Meta Quest app on Christmas Day indicates that many people received Quest headsets as gifts. While Quest 3, launched in October, experienced its first Christmas, it's likely that a substantial number of setups were for the more affordable Quest 2, which saw its price drop to the lowest ever at $250. This trend aligns with market research indicating that Black Friday 2023 was the "biggest ever revenue week for VR" in the UK.

NEWS FLASH

APPLE

Video Shows Apple’s Hand Tracking Capabilities

BOOKMARKS

Immersive Articles From The Web

UNREAL MONEY

FUNDING REPORT

Brain Training VR App Raises $25 Million

Virtuleap, the developer behind the Meta Quest app "Enhance VR," has successfully raised $2.5 million in new funding. The investment, led by GED Ventures Portugal, will accelerate the development and commercialization of their software offerings. Enhance VR, known as a "gym for the mind," features a series of mini-games designed to test and train various cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.

The app, designed by neuroscientists, offers playful versions of neuropsychological assessment tools. Virtuleap's CEO, Amir Bozorgzadeh, envisions using the data collected from the app to develop an AI algorithm that could serve as a biomarker for early detection of diseases like dementia and Parkinson's.

In addition to Enhance VR, Virtuleap is developing another product, Cogniclear VR, in collaboration with pharmaceutical company Roche. Slated for release in 2024, Cogniclear VR aims to provide tools for the early detection of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's. Enhance VR currently boasts over 60,000 registered users and supports multiple languages, with plans to expand its linguistic offerings in 2024.

COOL PROJECTS

PCVR

Revving Up In Full Immersion

WRAP UP

MEME OF THE DAY

Never Give Up!

Have a great week folks.

My Twitter feed is filled with people talking about the UEVR Mod. Did you try any PCVR games yet? If you have no idea what I’m talking about, read the second story in the News Flash section.

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