It's time for our monthly news roundup, where we bring you the latest and hottest extended reality (XR) stories from the last month.

June has been a busy time for the XR community, with new releases and sneak previews aplenty. Of course, Apple gets top billing… 

Apple enters the mixed reality fray with Vision Pro 

Calling an end to the rumours, Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) saw the launch of the Vision Pro – Apple's first-ever mixed reality device.

Before the announcement, rumour mills were particularly preoccupied with one topic: how would the mixed reality features work?

It turns out that Apple has opted for passthrough technology. This uses cameras on the outside of the device to stream footage of the real world to the wearer in real time.

In contrast, other mixed reality devices like Microsoft's HoloLens 2 use waveguide technology. Waveguides are transparent screens on which the mixed-reality content is displayed – meaning the user's real environment is always visible without the need for separate cameras.

A consequence of Apple's choice is that users are effectively "locked in" while they're wearing the device. To an observer, it appears that they're wearing an opaque virtual reality headset.

Apple has come up with an interesting solution to this problem – EyeSight. This feature involves an outward-facing display that shows a realistic representation of the user's eyes.

The hope, it seems, is that Eyesight – together with high-quality real-time sound reproduction – will keep users connected with the world around them.

The headset is controlled by the user's eyes, hands and voice – a navigation system Apple hopes will feel completely intuitive and effortless.

Apple has also implemented an eye-tracking system that eliminates the need for any physical controllers. Users can simply hover their gaze over an application, then perform hand gestures – like pinching the thumb and index finger together – to "click".

Familiar apps like Facetime, Photos, Movies, Safari and Messages are all available on the device, giving the impression that Apple imagines its Vision Pro to become a new kind of personal computer.

Indeed, Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, unveiled the device with the words, "Today marks the beginning of a new era for computing".

Pricing for the Vision Pro looks to start around $3,499, with the headset being available to buy online early next year. The headset will be powered by VisionOS, the company's brand-new spatial operating system.

Meta teases Quest 3

Just as Apple announced the launch of the Vision Pro, tech giant Meta has also showcased some exciting plans with a sneak peek at an all-new Quest 3 headset. Unlike the Vision Pro, however, the Quest 3 is unashamedly built for gaming.

At a glance, the Quest 3 looks strikingly similar to its predecessor. However, there are some not-so-obvious differences that should add up to a whole different level of play. 

The headset will be the first to feature Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon chipset, boasting double the graphics performance of Meta's previous device.

Quest 3 comes armed with the "highest resolution display yet", as well as pancake optics. The latter feature allows for a slimmer form factor and a lighter, more comfortable VR experience.

For mixed reality passthrough, the headset will feature dual four-megapixel RGB colour cameras that sit on either side of a depth sensor. This promises a more accurate representation of the space around the user. Meta claims the device will offer "10 times more pixels in passthrough compared to Quest 2".

The device will be compatible with all Quest 2 games, along with 15 new titles that the company has just announced. Additional details on the upcoming device are promised during the annual Meta Connect event, which is scheduled for 27 September.

Amazon announces partnership with Hexa 

On 6 June, eCommerce giant Amazon announced a partnership with Hexa, a 3D visualisation platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

The partnership will see Amazon extend its augmented reality (AR) features, allowing sellers to create 3D product images, virtual "try-ons", 360-degree visualisations and other AR experiences.

Hexa's AI-driven technology is key to the collaboration. It allows sellers to upload 2D images, which are then automatically converted into 3D models – creating, effectively, a digital twin of the physical product.

This is several shades more convenient than previous 2D-to-3D technologies, which relied on expensive 3D scanners and – crucially – the presence of the physical object.

By contrast, Amazon's process is as simple as uploading the product's identification number into Hexa's content management system. The AI then gets to work, creating a 3D model based on existing photographs of the product – with no physical object required.

In a press release, a Hexa spokesperson said, "Working with Amazon has opened up a whole new distribution channel for our partners.

"Brands now have the ability to distribute 3D experiences and delivery high-quantity immersive shopping to Amazon's global network of customers using Hexa's proprietary content delivery network."

Hexa specialises in eCommerce and works to help businesses "create, manage, analyse, and distribute" their 3D assets. It already has an impressive list of partners, including the likes of Macy's, Logitech and Microsoft. 

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