@eicker3hMeta’s recent cuts to its VR division, including the closure of three studios, have raised concerns about the future of VR. While the short-term impact is concerning, the long-term outlook remains positive with the emergence of new competitors like Steam Frame.This article discusses Meta's decision to scale back its investment in virtual reality, featuring insights from VR experts Cassia Curran and Andrew Eiche. The experts weigh in on the potential impact on the VR industry, the role of Gen Alpha in the future of VR, and the emergence of new competitors like Steam Frame. They also critique Meta's strategy and the challenges posed by Meta Horizon Worlds.
@eicker2dMeta’s metaverse ambitions have faltered, leading to significant layoffs in its Reality Labs division and the closure of several VR game studios.Meta's ambitious investment in the metaverse has failed, with the company laying off 1,500 employees from its Reality Labs division and shutting down several VR game studios. Despite Meta's initial rebranding to focus on the metaverse, the division has never turned a profit and has faced middling consumer demand. The metaverse's failure is attributed to overhyped expectations, bad initial products, and a lack of user safety measures. Meta is now shifting its focus to AI and AR technologies, such as its Ray-Ban smart glasses.
@eicker4dRoblox’s age verification system, implemented to address child predator concerns, is reportedly flawed.Roblox's new age verification system, designed to combat child predators, has reportedly been misclassifying users, with some children being identified as adults and vice versa. The system, which requires users to submit a selfie or government ID, has faced backlash from developers and users, with some reporting a significant drop in chat feature usage. Roblox has acknowledged the issues and is working on solutions.
@eicker7dFrenessi, Colombia’s first virtual reality restaurant in Bogota, offers a unique dining experience.This article explores Frenessi, a virtual reality restaurant in Bogota, Colombia, which combines haute cuisine with immersive technology for a multi-sensory dining experience. The restaurant features a communal table for 16 guests, surrounded by walls with immersive visual projections, offering a three-hour experience with an 11-course tasting menu. The experience includes virtual worlds ranging from the Amazon rainforest to ancient China, with each dish designed to accompany the journey. The cost is COP 696,900 per person, approximately US$180, and it has expanded to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
@eicker8dAdidas is expanding into the metaverse, purchasing digital property in The Sandbox and collaborating with the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection.Adidas is making significant strides in the metaverse by collaborating with the NFT collection Bored Ape Yacht Club, Punks Comics, and crypto investor Gmoney. This move follows partnerships with Coinbase and The Sandbox, indicating Adidas' commitment to digital innovation. The company's stock is up 0.32% at $145.27 per share as of press time.
@eicker8dVR headsets at CES 2026: Attack of the lightweight modelsAt CES 2026, Goertek, the world's largest VR headset manufacturer, showcased a lightweight reference design for VR headsets, weighing approximately 100 grams and featuring two 4K OLED microdisplays with pancake lenses. This trend towards compact form factors is solidifying, with new generation standalone devices outsourcing components to a wired pocket computer. Pimax also presented the new Pimax Dream Air product line, available in versions under 200 grams, and Play for Dream demonstrated an ultra-thin prototype weighing under 100 grams.
@eicker9dJesse Schell’s 2015 predictions about the state of Virtual Reality in 2025 were a mix of accurate and inaccurate forecasts.This article reviews VR pioneer Jesse Schell's predictions from 2015 about the state of Virtual Reality in 2025. While some of his technological predictions have come true, such as the dominance of standalone VR systems and the rise of eye-tracking and foveated rendering, his market forecasts were largely inaccurate. Schell overestimated the growth of the VR market and the cultural impact of Virtual Reality. However, his insights into the technological advancements and potential applications of VR remain valuable.
@eicker9dHow novelists have predicted significant developments in our age: from the multiverse hypothesis to mass surveillance and the metaverse.This article from The Guardian explores how novelists like Jorge Luis Borges, George Orwell, and Margaret Atwood have predicted major developments of our age, such as mass surveillance, the metaverse, and the resurgence of 'making America great again'. It discusses how these authors' works offer insights into our present realities and ethical dilemmas.
@eicker11dMeta plans to layoff around 10% of its Reality Labs team, primarily affecting metaverse employees, due to a shift in focus towards AI.This comes after reports of a 30% budget cut for the metaverse division and the increasing popularity of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.
@eicker10dMeta is discontinuing its metaverse for work, Horizon Workrooms, as a standalone app and will stop selling headsets and software for businesses.Meta has announced the discontinuation of its metaverse for work, Horizon Workrooms, and managed services for businesses, effective February 16, 2026. This decision comes amidst a series of VR layoffs and a shift in focus towards mobile platforms. The company will no longer sell its headsets and software as a service for businesses, with existing customers able to continue accessing services until January 4, 2030.
@eicker10dMeta and EssilorLuxottica are considering doubling or tripling their smart glasses production target to 20-30 million units by the end of 2026This comes as Meta pauses the international rollout of its Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses due to high demand and limited inventory.
@eicker10dMeta is closing three VR studios, Twisted Pixel Games, Sanzaru Games, and Armature Studio, as part of a 10% reduction in its Reality Labs metaverse division.Meta is closing down three VR studios, Twisted Pixel Games, Sanzaru Games, and Armature Studio, as part of its metaverse cuts. These studios are known for developing popular VR games like Marvel’s Deadpool VR, Asgard’s Wrath, and Resident Evil 4 VR. The layoffs also include the team behind the VR fitness app Supernatural, which will no longer develop new content or features but will still be supported. Meta plans to reinvest the savings from these closures to support the growth of wearables.
@eicker
