Big XR News from Apple, HTC VIVE, Taqtile, and Amazon

This week has circled Apple, the legacy consumer hardware innovator shocked audiences in many ways when it debuted the Vision Pro, fairly stealing headlines as hyped ramped during the event’s leading months.

But outside of the Apple bubble, many XR announcements also showcased core innovations that deserve headline space alongside Apple – a firm which may find itself to become a massive influence in the immersive market.

Apple Debuts Vision Pro

This week the news finally broke. Following years and years of hints from Apple, the firm finally dropped its immersive device debut.

During WWDC, Apple introduced Vision Pro, a mobile MR headset, on Monday.

However, with a massive $3499 price and enterprise focus, Apple surprised the audiences watching home and in person.

Apple keenly avoided terms such as VR and the metaverse while clearly advertising both features during its showcase.

The expensive device uses spatial computing to create a 360 immersive environment that allows users to interact with conventional and immersive applications using body gestures.

Apple showed how Vision Pro users could harness the device to create an immersive external monitor and watch movies on large AR displays.

Tim Cook, Apple’s Chief Executive, added:

So, in the same way, that Mac introduced us to personal computing, and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro will introduce us to spatial computing. This marks the beginning of a journey that will bring a new dimension to powerful personal technology.

The device also hints at Metaverse support with Unity-native applications like Rec Room porting to the device.

Will Apple’s device shake up the XR world like its creators and hungry fanbase hope?

Time will tell, as always, as the emerging market swings so quickly. Perhaps Apple will go the way of Meta’s reputation.

Following its rebrand and Connect event, Meta hyped up the world with grand XR and metaverse promises, although now favours are not so fair.

During its key announcement, Apple also quietly acquired Mira, an AR firm working closely with enterprise and the United States military sectors, namely the US Air Force and US Navy.

VIVE XR Elite Business Edition Drops

More headset announcements this month, this time from HTC VIVE.

The longstanding and respected XR firm added another enterprise-grade immersive option to its product portfolio, debuting the XR Elite Business Edition for $1,299.

On Wednesday, the firm announced the new device, along with its VIVE Busniess+ solution, which provides XR Elite Business Edition device adopters headset device management capabilities.

The service allows companies to upgrade, manage, and add content to entire fleets of devices rather than with individual manual upgrades.

Taqtile Optimizes Manifest iPad Performance

With the spotlight on Apple, it’s essential to note the presence of iOS devices across various enterprise end-users of immersive solutions.

Many firms employing immersive digital solutions may also leverage Apple devices to deliver XR RT3D assets and placement.

The device comes with AR functionalities built into its camera system, and some firms are utilising this to create robust and interoperable solutions.

Of these firms, Taqtile leverages the iOS platform to distribute AR training and communication services.

This Thursday, Taqtile optimised its Manifest immersive service for iPad users due to growing demand.

With Apple’s enterprise focus, eyes should be placed on firms like Taqtile, who already leverage iOS technology for their immersive services.

If Vision Pro does find a place as an enterprise tool, then firms like Taqtile may be ahead of the curve with an established iOS presence.

John Tomizuka, the CTO of Taqtile, said:

iPad is a strategically important device for enterprise, government, healthcare, and defence customers worldwide, offering an exceptionally scalable solution for capturing and delivering essential AR-enabled work instructions.

Amazon Picks Hexa for AR Digital Twin Packshots

This week, the mega-corporation Amazon partnered with 3D visualisation platform Hexa to improve the firm’s AR services for creating, viewing, and storing real-time 3D assets for virtual try-ons, AR content, and 360-degree video.

Additionally, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Amazon.com are assisting Hexa in optimising its platform for spatial computing and imaging, respectively.

Jonathan Clark, Chief Technology Officer, Hexa, added:

In addition to 3D reconstruction, Hexa’s 3D tech stack enhancements allow Amazon selling partners to render high-definition marketing materials. This would include lifestyle images and packshots. They’ll be able to do so by leveraging AWS Thinkbox render infrastructure and advanced capabilities.

The news comes as the Israeli firm aims to “build the world’s most powerful 3D tech stack,” according to the company.

The firm aims to support use cases for synthetic data, allowing enterprises to build, manage, distribute, and assess digital assets ranging from AR, hi-fi 3D modelling, 360-degree, and other immersive experiences.