XR never sleeps, and the immersive space race continues on. Just as the dust settles following Microsoft dropping out – for now – of the MR hardware game, it appears the move only fueled interest from other XR players.
With Microsoft leaving, the HoloLens 2 gap is creating an opportunity. With the dropping of HoloLens comes an opportunity for MR hardware providers to jump in and pick up where the legacy device left off.
This is clearly seen with Anduril Industries taking on the XR hardware side of IVAS; this contract had a handful of firms lined up to take over the billion-dollar contract, so the gap was quickly filled.
Those gaps may take longer to fill for other HoloLens 2 contracts. But with Meta supercharging its Reality Labs work and an increased number of hardware/software vendors cementing their place in AR/VR/MR markets, the shark tank looks to grow and mature again as new opportunities arise.
Meta Updates Quest for Business, Pumps Another $50 Mill into Horizon
Meta is responding to internal calls for innovation by actively listening to its customers. The company is working to simplify the integration of the Quest portfolio for enterprises by strengthening its partnerships with major XR Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution providers. Meta introduces a new solution for deploying Quest devices in enterprise settings as part of this effort.
The key XR MDM solution providers involved in this initiative are ManageXR and ArborXR. These leading companies offer products that enable clients to deploy and manage fleets of headsets more efficiently, catering to various work environments. Their tools assist with managing security, sign-ins, updates, and other essential functions.
Brad Scoggin, CEO of ArborXR, explained:
Enterprises need trusted, scalable solutions to successfully deploy XR—and that’s where ArborXR comes in. By partnering with Meta, we’re bringing together best-in-class VR solutions and enterprise device management, giving organizations the confidence, security, and support they need to scale XR with ease.
Zuckerberg’s company is launching a new service called ‘Meta Horizon Managed Services,’ which combines the Meta for Business model with features from Meta for Education. Meta for Business and Education initially included device management tools, but these functions are now outsourced to various third-party Mobile Device Management solution providers.
According to Meta’s official website pricing information, the company offers two pricing models for business and education customers, indicating a shift from one enterprise-facing model to another.
Meta has also introduced a $50 million Creator Fund to attract news services, brands, and developers to the Metaverse platform.
While $50 million may seem small compared to Meta’s overall spending, this investment signals a renewed commitment to the Horizon Metaverse platform. It may begin a resurgence in Meta’s vision for online interaction.
Currently, the Horizon Metaverse primarily caters to consumers and gamers. Although enterprise-focused solutions like Workrooms have been shut down in the past, the ongoing investment and push for brand exploration within Horizon suggest that dedicated XR enthusiasts should pay attention to these developments.
Meta’s $50 million Creator Fund is also focusing on smartphone-based content this year. The company emphasizes the importance of cross-device interoperability across mobile hardware, a critical growth area for XR devices and services in the market.
Rokid’s AR Smart Glasses Show China’s Enterprise AI Credentials
Rokid, a Chinese company specializing in augmented reality devices, has gained considerable attention for its innovative AI glasses. These glasses recently went viral on social media, which impacted the stock market.
The company’s founder, Misa Zhu Mingming, showcased the practical use of these glasses during a government event in Hangzhou. He demonstrated how his speech notes were projected directly onto the AR glasses he was wearing. Using a smart ring on his finger, Zhu was able to navigate through virtual pages, highlighting the technology’s intuitive interface.
This demonstration quickly gained popularity in China, with the hashtag #ScriptOnGlassesTurnPagesWithRing trending on the Chinese microblogging site Sina. The surge in interest also influenced the market, as The AI Wearable Index—which tracks 50 publicly listed Chinese companies in the sector—rose by more than 10% over the last five trading days.
Palmer Luckey Speaks on IVAS Partnership and HoloLens Shakeup
Speaking on the IVAS partnership, Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, recently said, “The IVAS program represents the future of mission command, combining technology and human capability to give soldiers the edge they need on the battlefield.”
Lucky also added:
The ultimate goal is to create a military ecosystem where technology acts as an extension of human capability. By empowering soldiers with the tools they need to make faster, smarter decisions, we’re building a future where technology and human ingenuity combine to ensure mission success.
In the same official commentary on the partnership, Robin Seiler said:
We are incredibly proud of the work our teams have put in to help the U.S. Army transform its concept of a soldier-borne, AR headset into reality with the IVAS program. Our Soldier-Centered Design approach helped reimagine technology development with the Army that continuously took in real-world soldier feedback to develop a product that soldiers love.
“We are excited to partner with Anduril for the next phase of IVAS and leverage our combined strengths to meet our commitments on this vital program and deliver a game-changing capability for every U.S. soldier,” Seiler added.
Microsoft is actively participating in the IVAS project. Specifically, Microsoft Azure will be integrated into this initiative, offering cloud computing support for mixed reality and artificial intelligence technologies. This involvement strengthens Microsoft’s position as a backend framework provider in the developing extended reality market, firmly establishing the company in this field.
