XR news updates from last week revealed some impressive platform debuts as well as mixed reviews on Apple’s mixed reality (MR) headset delay, but all promise exciting developments in the months to come.
Major firms such as HTC VIVE, Apple, Facebook, Stageverse, and Nreal, were the cream of the crop for XR Today’s Big News stories last week.
In case you missed it, here are the top stories from last week. Be sure to also stay posted with our newsletter by visiting https://www.xrtoday.com/sign-up/ for further updates!
Stageverse Debuts its Metaverse Platform with an XR Muse Concert
Stage Inc debuted its Stageverse solution for hosting live events in the virtual Metaverse and announced it would launch the platform with an unprecedented concert with British rock band Muse.
The band’s “Muse: Enter the Simulation” experience aims to recreate their Madrid concert in July 2019, and is the latest virtual event to compete with HTC’s Beatday event and the Splendour XR Festival.
Facebook CTO Mike Schroepfer to Step Down
Facebook’s Mike Schroepfer announced last week he would step down as the company’s chief techology officer, shocking colleagues amid a reshuffle among leadership in the social media giant.
Andrew Bosworth, Vice-President of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), will replace the veteran executive to the Menlo Park-based firm in 2022.
The news comes as Facebook works to shift to becoming a “Metaverse company,” Founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg reportedly said in early August at an event.
Nreal Raises £100 Million, Plans Global Expansion
Chinese AR smart glass maker Nreal has earned nearly $100 million in a fundraising round aimed at providing a lifeline for the company following a pair of lawsuits and expansion plans, CNBC reported.
The company is currently valued at $700 million after fighting a delayed debut in the United States due to a lawsuit from Unreal Engine and accusations of intellectual property theft, which the firm denies.
Apple MR Headset Now Expected in Late-2022
US tech giant Apple’s mixed reality (MR) headset debut has been delayed to the second half of 2022, reports found on Wednesday last week.
The headset will cost nearly $2,000 and require tethering to iPhones or MacBooks to function, and includes a camera, optical sensors, and durable magnesium alloy materials, according to the report.
VIVE Pro 2 Opens Full Kit Pre-Orders to UK
HTC VIVE has begun taking orders from UK residents for its Pro 2 MR headset with full kit package, the company announced last week.
The full kit package sells for £1,299 and includes numerous perks such as a two-month subscription to VIVEPORT Infinity, and a £50 cashback for future products.
