Big XR news from Google, Samsung, Qualcomm, Sony, XREAL, Magic Leap, Lynx, Meta, Microsoft, TeamViewer, Haply

As 2024 draws to a close and the new year approaches, the XR industry is filled with plenty of stories that could lead to a transformative year for XR.

2024 is expected to be a foundational year for the future of XR, from hardware to software, consumer to enterprise. The pipeline underpinning the XR revolution appears to have been built, or at least nearly complete.

From digital twins to AR smart glasses, 2025 will be a big year for XR across the market. But, as always, the future is not set in stone. What is set is now, and this week shows that many of the stepping stones towards a turning point for XR are being paved.

Major vendor to disband Meta, Apple market dominance

This week, a key piece of the 2025 XR puzzle was revealed. The industry is poised for complete change for a number of reasons, one of which is the recent consolidation of major XR companies.

Google recently announced Android XR, a new operating system designed specifically for extended reality (XR) devices and services. This operating system is described by the company as “the next generation of computing.”

In particular, Google is working with Samsung to develop XR OS, and Samsung has also announced plans to release an XR headset in 2025. Other influential figures in the XR industry also support Android XR, including Qualcomm, Sony, XREAL, Magic Leap, and Lynx. Emerging players in the XR market.

“We are paving the way for a range of Android XR devices that will meet the diverse needs of people and businesses,” Google said in an official press release.

The Android XR ecosystem was introduced with Meta promoting Horizon OS and Apple releasing VisionOS. Google and its partners can integrate various key players in the Android XR ecosystem to provide a competitive alternative to Apple and Meta products.

The main goal of Android XR OS is to enhance the future of AI, AR, and VR experiences in headsets and smart glasses. The Android XR version is in preview for developers, with a wider release expected soon. Developers starting to work with Android XR today can start building applications leveraging familiar tools like ARCore, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity, and OpenXR.

As part of the Android XR announcement, Google also provided a first look at Samsung’s headset, codenamed “Project Moohan,” which will be available for purchase next year. Although Project Infinite’s features are still just speculation, AI is expected to play an important role in the device’s functionality.

Google also emphasized that its Gemini AI assistant plays a key role in providing new opportunities to interact with headsets and visualizations. Due to its Android background, XR OS supports numerous existing mobile and tablet applications and content designed specifically for Android XR.

This development addresses a critical challenge in the widespread adoption of XR technologies. Users require a diverse range of applications and system sales services to use XR devices. Google is also testing prototype Android XR smart glasses with some users, focusing on privacy, flexibility and opportunity, and there are new updates that could shake up the market in 2025.

Microsoft Offers Meta Quest Usher, New Spatial Productivity Tool

An important partnership was announced this week. Microsoft Mixed Reality Link is now officially a public release model. This newly launched service allows owners of the Meta Quest 3 and 3s headsets to connect their mixed reality devices to their Windows 11 PC to facilitate spatial productivity workflows.

Microsoft announced that Mixed Reality Link users can stream their Windows 11 screen directly to their Meta Quest 3 or 3s headset. This feature allows users to access a virtual monitor to work in a spatial environment. Although there are some existing bugs when using business applications like Teams, Microsoft is working to promote the service as a seamless work tool.

Microsoft Mixed Reality Link uses a unique QR code to connect your headset to your PC. To access the service, users must have the latest version of Windows 11 installed.

It’s important to note that the Microsoft Mixed Reality Link service is only compatible with the Meta Quest 3 and 3s headsets, other models are not compatible. This partnership highlights Microsoft and Meta’s commitment to developing spatial productivity services, perhaps aiming to fill the gap left by Apple with Vision Pro.

TeamViewer acquires 1E

TeamViewer scored a significant achievement in 2024 with the acquisition of 1E, a company that provides a suite of digital employee experience (DEX) management tools. The acquisition agreement was signed with Carlyle Europe Technology Partners, part of global investment firm Carlyle. 1E’s enterprise value is $720 million.

TeamViewer aims to close the transaction in early 2025, in line with its goal to become a leader in the digital workspace market as the new year approaches. The move combines TeamViewer’s immersive workplace tools with the 1E autonomous IT platform. By integrating TeamViewer with 1E Services, customers benefit from a system designed to proactively prevent and resolve IT issues, as well as efficient remote expert support to resolve them.

Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer, said that working with 1E puts TeamViewer “ideally positioned to meet growing customer demand for a more real-time, automated and proactive approach in the IT and OT space.”

Steil called TeamVeiwers’ acquisition of 1E “our most significant acquisition to date” and “an important step toward accelerating our company’s growth, driving innovation, and delivering greater value to our customers.”

Haly Robotics to score big at CES 2025

Haply Robotics announced that it will win the Innovation Awards 2025 for its Miniverse product at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas next month. The device aims to provide a mouse-style solution for workers working in 3D spatial environments.

At CES, Miniverse will be recognized in the “Metaverse” and “XR Technologies and Accessories” categories, while Haply Robotics won both the “Best of Innovation” and “Honoree” awards.

The event will be held in Las Vegas from January 7-10, and will feature thousands of innovative technology providers showcasing solutions designed to improve everyday life.

Haply Robotics’ solutions are available to businesses and consumers and especially benefit those involved in digital design and engineering workflows. Miniverse is a 3D mouse that reproduces the texture, weight, resistance, elasticity, viscosity, and edges of digital objects using haptic technology. The Miniverse device is used with Meta Quest products in the company’s promotional videos.

Haply Robotics notes that Miniverse is suitable for 3D modeling, sculpting, and virtual exploration applications. The device can be easily integrated with platforms such as Blender, RoboDK, and Haply’s first-party HARP software.

Additionally, the device is portable, making it ideal for modern workers who don’t have access to a large office or work on the go. Miniverse also features an open source platform, allowing dedicated developers to enhance the device’s capabilities as it moves into 2025.