As the year progresses, immersive industry firms appear to be firmly sticking their flags in the ground to secure technical and regional marketplace ubiquity.
As 2022 closed, concerns over XR marketplace monopolisation by select companies appeared from consumers to regulators. Now, these concerns have damped somewhat as FTC investigations close and fresh XR product competition rises.
The next few months could be crucial for many XR firms as new devices are debuting left and right. For consumers, enterprise end-users, and developers, picking a suitable XR device is essential to gaining capital and time optimisation.
As established and start-up immersive hardware providers are debuting new kits nearly weekly, many vital players prioritise regional availability and growth of immersive devices.
Meta, Tencent to Distribute Quest Headsets in China
Last week, Meta Platforms and Tencent Holdings entered discussions to distribute Quest hardware and software solutions in China.
According to media outlets 36Kr and the Wall Street Journal reports, the firms first entered talks in 2022 to distribute Meta-brand VR equipment to the region. The move presents new competition for Chinese XR solution providers such as Bytedance, the parent firm behind the PICO series of VR headsets, which are equally trying to expand into Western regions.
Moreover, for Meta, the negotiations allow the Menlo Park-based firm to operate on the Mainland since its ban in 2009 due to the Urumqi riots. Additionally, the move could enable Meta to outsource its Metavere product research and development (R&D) ambitions to the Chinese development firm.
Currently, China has two key Metaverse suppliers, HTC VIVE and Bytedance. Chinese VR product owners may gain another substantial Metaverse service with the Meta/Tencent negotiations.
Apple, Luxshare Partner for AR Smart Glasses
More Chinese innovations occurred last week. Leading tech giant Apple partnered with Luxshare to develop AR smart glasses components over previous regional partners.
Following regional technology restructures, Luxshare is assisting in creating products for Apple to match its worldwide supply chain demand.
In addition to AR device development, Luxshare is working hard to produce iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watch products. The partnership enables Apple to outsource its development of rich AR displays in an increasingly competitive market.
The news comes as reports suggest that rising costs related to Apple’s micro-OLED displays and processors could push the prices of the firm’s upcoming AR device up from $3,000 to $5,000.
In a statement, an executive close to the situation noted:
Apple’s first generation of AR devices will be extremely expensive, and really only can attract those passionate tech geeks or premium customers. But Apple hopes to push the price down in the second generation of devices, which is in parallel development, to a more affordable price, like a high-end Mac computer, and hopes to attract a bigger user base.
VIRNECT to Develop Industrial Immersive Solutions for DigiLens ARGO
This Month, AR solutions provider VIRNECT entered a strategic partnership to integrate its enterprise-grade immersive software into the DigiLens ARGO smart glasses product.
VIRCENT can now provide its customers with enhanced user experience, performance, and affordability for its immersive content library, thanks to the agreement.
The company’s partnership with DigiLens produces additional hardware options to leverage its immersive content. Meanwhile, Digilens gains from the association by being able to distribute new content on its smart glasses and provide its display solution to broader markets.
VIRNECT provides enterprise and industrial clients with immersive training and collaboration software to assist with on-site procedures such as safety, maintenance, and repair operations.
The software portfolio also enables firms to manage their chosen solutions for delivery across a workforce.
At the time, Tim Ha, the CEO of VIRNECT, noted:
We are excited to partner with DigiLens, a leader in waveguide display technology. By combining our expertise, we can offer innovative XR solutions to a wider audience. DigiLens ARGO will create new ways for people to learn, work, and communicate.
Warpin Reality, Meta Partner on IKEA Application
Last Friday, Warpin Reality, in collaboration with Meta, designed an Instagram-integrated AR filter which provides users with immersive experiences to teach children the effects of pollution and litter on the ocean’s ecosystem.
The firms are launching the service across 21 stores in Sweden during the winter sports holiday season. In integrated stores, users can scan QR codes across the store and explore numerous stations to play the immersive game. The platform lets learners study marine life by taking photos of AR visualisations placed in an IKEA location, such as sea turtles, octopuses, and orcas.
Notably, Josefine Billström Raasakka, Creative Strategist for Meta, said that the IKEA immersive experience showcases how XR tech is expanding to generate more brand opportunities.
She added that XR experience, such as the IKEA campaign, provides an engaging space to “create more compelling and immersive [customer] experiences.”
She added:
This project is an interesting step in creating a richer customer experience at IKEA by weaving in technologies such as augmented reality as part of the shopping experience.
Seven Global Tech Giants Join Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Spaces Programme
Leading up to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 this week, Qualcomm Technologies is extending its Snapdragon Spaces XR Development Platform to include a more diverse range of immersive industries.
The move allows Qualcomm to redefine Snapdragon Spaces’ device requirements and compatibility across its chosen sectors.
Qualcomm’s expansion allows the firm to focus on the increased availability of wirelessly tethered smart glasses, network interoperability, and regional developer programmes to innovate AR solutions.
Qualcomm is expanding its Snapdragon Spaces coverage to include leading tech firms such as China Mobile, T-Mobile, KDDI, and Vodafone.
MWC 2023 starts this week and ends on the 2 March at Barcelona’s prestigious Fira Gran Via venue.
