Apple WWDC is coming next week! The 2024 event will showcase Apple’s latest innovations, including the company’s first XR device, Vision Pro.
Apple has already shaken up the XR industry somewhat with its limited releases, but with rumors of the device receiving a wider distribution model, Apple could be in for another immersive industry shakeup.
Ahead of next week’s event, the industry is predicting what’s coming next and figuring out how to best leverage the latest technology trends to stay ahead of the ever-evolving market.
Meta Connect 2024 Event Date Revealed
Notably, just a week before WWDC, Meta revealed the date of its core technology showcase.
The Connect event is scheduled for September 25-26, 2024. The event will showcase Meta’s latest digital solutions in social media and extended reality (XR). CEO Mark ZuckerbergMeta did not reveal specific details about the event. In the past, Connect events have revealed insights into Meta’s XR roadmap, which includes the company’s rebrand, Meta Quest 3, and RayBan AR glasses.
This year has been a big year for XR devices, especially as Apple has become more interested in the space, and so have other major headset vendors. To stay ahead of this growing competition, Meta is likely to use Connect to showcase a robust and competitive product portfolio and solidify its position in the market.
In terms of hardware products, following last year’s Connect event, Meta representatives provided details on the unreleased MR headset and the Meta Quest 3 Lite device. The latter is expected to aim to bolster the Meta Quest 3’s presence by offering a more affordable option, potentially replicating the success of its predecessor.
Zoom CEO Talks XR, Digital Twins, and AI-Avatar Integration
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan The popular video conferencing software has announced new features for its upcoming version. Zoom plans to offer immersive XR versions of its applications on new headsets and introduce AI-based XR capabilities. The expansion aims to position Zoom as a significant player in immersive workplace applications.
In addition to XR capabilities, Zoom is also looking to integrate its phone calls, email, whiteboards, coding, creative work, admin work, and project management tools, along with new AI and XR integrations. These developments are part of Zoom’s plan to create what Yuan calls a “Workplace 2.0 journey” by unifying diverse workflows and services into a single digital platform.
While Zoom will continue to operate as a video conferencing service, the company is focusing on researching and releasing new AI and XR capabilities, which could potentially help it become a major XR and AI service provider. “We’re going to be an AI-first company,” Yuan said.
Microsoft to further cut HoloLens staff
Microsoft announced significant layoffs affecting about 1,000 positions in its HoloLens and Azure Cloud divisions, raising concerns about its plans to develop HoloLens 2 hardware and its Azure “Moonshot” project, which seeks to improve complex operations through collaborations with companies like SpaceX.
After laying off 10,000 employees about a year ago, Microsoft appears to be restructuring its XR and cloud divisions without affecting its AI team, which was a key focus following its partnership with OpenAI.
“We are announcing the restructuring of Microsoft’s Mixed Reality organization,” Microsoft spokesman Craig Cincotta said in an official statement. “We are fully committed to the Department of Defense’s IVAS program and will continue to provide cutting-edge technologies to support our service members.”
Microsoft is still supporting HoloLens 2, but the ongoing layoffs in the MR division have raised concerns about the future of the team. Meanwhile, Microsoft is prioritizing software solutions over XR hardware for other industry leaders like Meta. This is being done by creating a variety of immersive Office 365 applications.
BNSF leverages XR solutions from HaptX and RoundTable Learning.
HaptX has partnered with RoundTable Learning, a provider of immersive learning solutions, to bring VR training to rail workers. The partnership aims to provide a step-by-step immersive training platform for rail engineers in collaboration with BNSF, to improve engineer safety.
BNSF plans to regularly integrate VR into its safety and technology training initiatives through 2024. The VR program will utilize virtual learning spaces and assets from RoundTable Learning, while HaptX will provide touch-based feedback solutions for the training program.
As railroads increasingly embrace immersive training solutions, BNSF is joining other forward-thinking companies using XR to upskill workers in the sector. BNSF uses RoundTable Learning’s Mechanical GEVO Tier IV course to guide managers through step-by-step simulations for T4 engineer troubleshooting and repairs.
BNSF intends to integrate HaptX Gloves G1 to provide workers with a multi-sensory learning experience that complements traditional learning methods and enhances operational awareness and effectiveness. BNSF seeks to use XR solutions to improve safety and simulate real-world accidents and injuries. Currently in a pilot program, BNSF plans to fully roll out the technology throughout the remainder of 2024.