This week marks the start of AWE 2023, a leading multi-day conference covering every aspect of the immersive industry, and the event is bringing in the biggest brands and best minds in XR to help evaluate the future of the technology space.
Following the many announcements and insights from AWE 2023, next week sees Apple host its WWDC event on Monday. Following hints by Apple, many XR observers expect the firm to debut its immersive device. Notably, the event’s website suggested more immersive offerings, even low/no-code metaverse builder tools, with its “code new worlds” tagline.
Moreover, Meta looked to halt consumer hype about Apple’s device by announcing the Meta Quest 3 this week. While interest is still monumental for Apple’s news, it’s safe to say that the XR industry is gaining a new foothold, following some less than steller coverage from some wider media outlets.
AWE 2023 Kick Offs
The Augmented World Expo (AWE) USA 2023 kicked off this week, bringing together countless leading XR firms.
To kick off the event, Ori Inbar, Founder of Super Ventures and Co-founder and CEO, AWE hosted an introduction via a ChatGPT-powered avatar presentation.
Inbar noted that the XR industry no longer relies on buzzwords, as the technology space has become part of many people’s daily lives.
He also explained how the XR industry is now a thriving industry, transforming verticals such as healthcare, entertainment, education, and gaming.
Inbar added that XR tools have “the potential to shape the future of humanity.”
Xreal Introduces the “World’s-First” AR Laptop During AWE 2023
At AWE 2023, Xreal – formally known as Nreal – introduced Spacetop, a “worlds-first” AR laptop, marking the firm expansion from entertainment to now include productivity tools.
Xreal is promoting the Spacetop alongside the device’s core developers, Sightful, to create a mobile AR-ready computing device. Sightful is working with Xreal to leverage its Light smartglasses to deliver HD AR visualisations to laptop users and mobile workforces.
The partners are launching the AR laptop together. During his AWE 2023 keynote, Nreal CEO Chi Xu noted that “productivity is everything,” clearly marking a new interest from the firm in creating potentially enterprise-grade productivity tools.
Xreal also introduced new solutions, including Nebula SDK for Steam Deck users and a Beam device which replaces a tethered phone for user navigation – the Beam device will debut soon on Amazon for $109.
Moreover, Chi Xu took his stage time to make some bold predictions. The CEO said that Xreal’s portable spatial displays would be the “first 100M AR killer use case” and noted how AR would overtake VR in 5 years.
Meta Platforms Announces Quest 3 Headset
Massive news from Meta!
On Thursday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed the Meta Quest 3 just days before Apple’s WWDC conference.
Zuckerberg notes the Meta Quest 3 will contain a higher resolution, more robust performance, breakthrough Meta Reality technology, and a slimmer, more comfortable form factor compared to previous models in the Quest product portfolio.
The Meta Quest 3 will feature pancake optics to boost high-fidelity resolutions and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ chipset to secure “[twice] the graphics performance.”
Moreover, Zuckerberg explained that Quest 3 is reverse compatible with the entire Quest 2 library of games, experiences, and apps, “with more titles coming.”
Zuckerberg added, “[The] Quest 3 will be the best way to experience mixed and virtual reality in a standalone device.”
Meta Quest 3 will be sold in all the countries that already support Meta Quest. The 128 GB headset starts at $499.99 and will come with additional options to increase the storage “for those who want some extra space,” Zuckerberg said.
Mark Zuckerberg said that “[The Meta Quest 3 is] our most powerful headset yet. Coming this fall,” and the tech giant aims to release further information about the headset at the Meta Connect 2023 on September 27.
Lenovo Debuts ThinkReality VRX in UK
This week, Lenovo announced the availability of its ThinkReality VRX headset for enterprise end-users worldwide, notably for customers in the UK, starting June 2023.
Lenovo’s ThinkReality VRX system will debut on the marketplace for £1304. Moreover, Lenovo offers its product as a Device as a Service (DaaS) model via partner TruScale to provide enterprise end-users with financing and service models to scale the firm’s workplace XR solutions.
Lenovo designed its ThinkReality VRX headset to suit enterprise-grade XR and Metaverse services. The headset includes features to secure high-quality enterprise outcomes, such as 6DoF, Snapdragon® XR2+ Gen 1 processor, and full-colour MR pass-through.
Moreover, the design’s slim form factor enables enterprise end-users to use VR applications for extended periods. The device also incorporates a venting system that distributes heat away from a wearer’s face.
