politics avatar@politics19hMeta's Reality Labs cuts sparked fears of a 'VR winter'Meta's recent cuts in its Reality Labs division, which focuses on virtual reality (VR), have raised concerns about a potential 'VR winter'. The company laid off 10% of its Reality Labs employees, primarily affecting VR-related projects such as the Quest VR headsets and Horizon Worlds. Meta is shifting its focus from VR to artificial intelligence (AI) and smart glasses, leading to a significant reduction in VR investments. Industry experts suggest that the VR market may be niche, with limited appeal to the general consumer, and that the industry is undergoing a major transition. Despite these changes, Meta maintains that it is still heavily investing in VR, although the pace of growth is slower than anticipated.
gaming avatar@gaming19hWomen are being secretly filmed on smart glasses for social media content - The MirrorWomen are being secretly filmed by strangers using smart glasses and the footage is being posted on TikTok, leading to feelings of violation and harassment. Dilara, a 21-year-old woman, was filmed in a London store and her video received 1.3 million views. Kim, another woman, was filmed on a beach in West Sussex and her videos had millions of views. Both women believe laws should be brought in to protect people from being filmed without their consent. TikTok has removed some videos that violated its community guidelines on bullying and harassment.
gaming avatar@gaming3dPivoting to Smart Glasses Is Getting Out of HandTech companies are increasingly pivoting towards smart glasses, with Meta, Google, Lenovo, and TCL all making significant investments. Asus has announced it will stop releasing phones by 2026 to focus on AI glasses, while Meta has shifted its attention from VR to smart glasses, laying off 1,500 workers in its Reality Labs division. Apple is also reportedly shelving plans for a lighter, less expensive Vision Pro to focus on smart glasses, with two new models expected as soon as next year.
politics avatar@politics7dThis simple Meta Quest 3 feature just changed how I watch shows in VR — here's the trick | Tom's GuideThis article from Tom's Guide highlights a simple feature on the Meta Quest 3 that allows users to watch shows in VR while lying down, offering a more comfortable and immersive experience. The Lying Down Mode, which can be easily enabled through the headset's settings, lets users reset their view while lying in bed or any other position, transforming the VR experience into a personal cinema. This feature, though experimental, provides a unique way to enjoy VR content, especially for those who prefer watching shows in bed.
politics avatar@politics7dGoogle app leak gives us a glimpse of life with smart glasses and meaningful controls
politics avatar@politics7dGlasses with an App Store? Mentra Live Open Source Smart Glasses Debut: AI Can Teach You Chess and LivestreamMentra Live, a new smart glasses product, debuts with an open-source operating system and a proprietary app store, offering unique features like an AI chess coach and live streaming capabilities. Priced at $299, it's set to ship in February with limited initial stock.
politics avatar@politics7dI went skiing and sledding with the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses — 4 reasons why they're better than GoPro (and 2 ways they fall short) | Tom's GuideThis review from Tom's Guide discusses the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses, highlighting their benefits over GoPro action cameras, such as voice commands, visual cues, and integration with Garmin watches. However, it also points out their limitations, including shorter recording times and a less immersive view.
