Next month, Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference 2024 (WWDC) and Augmented World Expo 2024 (AWE) are set to shake up the enterprise XR space.
At WWDC 2024, Apple may reveal international release windows for its Vision Pro device. Meanwhile, AWE 2024 is readying on its expo floor to showcase the broader XR space and all the exciting innovations which come with such a product.
However, this month, firms like Microsoft are taking a fresh grasp at the immersive solutions space, while LG seemingly casts doubt on its Meta partnership.
The XR world is as busy as ever, and energy is about to rise, so stay ahead of the latest industry news and trends.
Microsoft and Meta Partner to Take on Apple Vision Pro
At Microsoft Build this week, Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Windows and Devices, announced a new partnership with Meta to introduce a volumetric workspace for the Quest portfolio. This move appears to position the Quest as a direct competitor to Apple Vision Pro’s productivity goal. The news comes as Meta is testing Vision Pro-style features and is launching new XR productivity hardware packages.
The development of the volumetric workspace follows Microsoft’s AI updates. The company notes how AI enables Microsoft to expand its product portfolio to Quest hardware and other emerging end devices. Additionally, deep cloud integration allows Microsoft to continue supporting various end devices so that users can access 365 services on “any device, anywhere,” as stated in an official blog post.
Devices like Quest headsets and other immersive wearables present new form factors and computing requirements. Therefore, productivity solution providers like Microsoft use cloud and AI technologies to offload computing requirements and streamline interaction to cater to users of immersive wearables.
The same week, Microsoft released a new Hololens 2 MR headset update this month, marking the device’s first significant enhancement in 2024 with the debut of Windows Holographic v24H1. While Microsoft has released updates for the Hololens 2 in 2024, the device’s May update marks the first large-scale improvement since October 2023.
Microsoft is updating the Windows Holographic framework, which powers the MR headset. The company states that the May update will support IT professionals and developers leveraging the Hololens 2 product.
LG Shut Downs Meta Partnership?
Recently, reports from South Korea have raised doubts about the current technology partnership between Meta and LG Electronics. According to the publication Korea JoongAng Daily, the alliance has slowed, leading to a pause in the development of Meta and LG’s new competitive XR headset.
The report suggests that the duo struggles to gain momentum due to the lack of available XR content and the slow pace of related XR technology developments. Despite these challenges, the partnership has not ended, and there is still potential for a fruitful future. However, the momentum has shifted for now.
An LG Electronics spokesperson told Korea JoongAng Daily, “LG Electronics continues the XR partnership with Meta forged in February but is controlling its pace.” Rumours have circulated that LG Electronics has ended the Meta partnership due to a perceived lack of value, but LG Electronics denies these claims.
Brainstorm Grows VR Enterprise in the US
Brainstorm is strengthening its presence in the US market by establishing a new office and demo studio and hiring an executive in Austin, Texas. The Spain-based real-time 3D graphics and virtual reality solutions provider view this expansion as a significant milestone in its North American operations.
The new office in Austin features an LED volume and a Green Cyclorama, both supported by Brainstorm’s advanced Virtual Production and 3D Graphics products. Additionally, the Demo Studio serves as an immersive demonstration environment to showcase the company’s technology to potential customers, including broadcasters, filmmakers, production houses, corporations, and educational institutions.
Collaboration is critical for Brainstorm, as it works with partners such as Nvidia for graphics boards, AJA Video Systems for video boards, and Canon, Vive, Tecnopoint, and others for tracking systems.
Liverpool City uses VR for £100m in the Baltic Merseyrail Construction Project.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has outlined a plan to introduce the new Liverpool Baltic Merseyrail station, which is set to be ready for use in 2027. The Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, introduced the project in 2022 to improve public transportation accessibility in the area.
The project represents a significant regional investment, with current forecasts estimating the cost at roughly £100 million. Recently, news emerged from the BBC highlighting how the project managers are offering the public a virtual reality walkthrough experience to help residents understand what the new establishment will look like and how it may benefit their lives.
The project managers are using VR to accurately portray the soon-to-be station, building support and understanding for this multi-million dollar project ahead of the official construction start in 2025.
