This week, the air was charged with the excitement of innovation, namely the AR smart glasses race, which is continuing to push forward. While AR is not at the same level of adoption and innovation as AI, its speed is close to reaching its next gear; as the year progresses, the prospects of AR could soon jump above expectations.

Recently, the emergence of augmented reality in open spaces, integration into digital workspaces, and new display technology could suggest a prosperous future, offering a glimpse into the evolving story of XR.

LG Ends Meta XR Venture to Focus on Core Products and R&D

LG Electronics has officially shut down its XR product division after unsuccessful partnership discussions with Meta, a company that continues to thrive across multiple sectors.

A spokesperson for LG said:

Although the development organization under the HE Business Division has disappeared, research and development is being conducted within the CTO division. We decided to delay the commercialization plan and focus on R&D.

A recent high-profile meeting between Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and LG executives William Cho and Park Hyoung-sei did not result in the anticipated collaboration. Although unconfirmed, rumours have been circulating since early 2023 that Meta was contracting LG to develop a competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro.

Meta announced that it would rebrand its Quest system software as Horizon OS and collaborate with manufacturers such as Asus and Lenovo. Still, it did not mention LG in this context.

While LG has confirmed that it will continue XR research within its CTO division, the company seems to focus on other technological areas in the short term. This strategic shift lets LG stay informed about XR developments while allocating resources to product categories with more immediate market potential.

Samsung Files Patent for Galaxy Ring with Fingerprint Authentication

Samsung has recently published a patent application outlining a new Galaxy Ring that features fingerprint authentication capabilities, potentially transforming how users interact with their connected devices.

The patent describes a wearable ring equipped with biometric sensing technology. This design includes a housing with an inner surface that makes contact with the wearer’s finger and an outer surface that houses sensor modules. When placed in a designated authentication area, these sensors utilize light emitters and receivers to capture the user’s fingerprint.

Additionally, the patent details motion-sensing capabilities that would enable the ring to recognize specific gesture combinations, allowing users to control external devices through hand movements.

This patent demonstrates Samsung’s ambition to explore new territory beyond smartphones and smartwatches. The fingerprint authentication feature could differentiate Samsung’s device in the smart ring market, mainly including health-focused options like the Oura Ring.

It is important to note that patent applications do not guarantee product development. Nonetheless, this filing aligns with Samsung’s ongoing efforts in wearable technology.

Snap Introduces New AR Spectacles Features

As the AR smartglasses race enters higher gears, Snap recently showcased new features for its Spectacles device that promote outdoor usage.

Snap is designing the Spectacles AR device to operate outdoors and indoors. Getting AR visualisations to work outdoors has been a challenge over the past few years. However, Snap and others are working hard to overcome this, with Snap smartphone AR experience clearly helping with this goal.

Snap seemingly wants to promote the abilities of outdoor location-based immersive experiences that leverage GPS, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), compass headings, and custom locations.

Of its new Spectacles features, Snap is working with various AR software leaders to advance its vision of outdoor AR, namely for consumer use.

Notably, Utopia Labs is working with Snap to debut NavigatAR, which leverages GPS, Snap Map Tiles, and compass heading data to create wayfinding visuals.

Niantic debuted new multiplayer updates to Peridot Beyond, allowing various users to interact with the AR game simultaneously and offering additional smartphone cross-platform rewards.

Wabisabi’s Doggo Quest leverages SnapML data to create real-time AR effects, walking routes, and step counts for dog walking.

The updates include various gamified experiences to amplify everyday tasks, as well as an AR keyboard and new accompanying hand-tracking features that allow users to interact with services, including Snapchat, iMessage, and Google Messages.

TeamViewer Unveil First 1E Integrations

Recently, immersive remote guidance solutions provider TeamViewer debuted its Digital Employee Experience software (DEX) 1E following its acquisition earlier in the year.

At the Gartner Digital Workplace Summit, TeamViewer showcased new integrations of 1E’s real-time and historical performance insights into its first-party Device Monitoring solution that drives endpoint visibility and issue detection.

Moreover, at the event, TeamViewer unveiled further 1E integrations, bringing its Tensor remote connectivity for seamless and compliant IT management framework into the former’s DEX solution, including integration into its ServiceNow-powered offerings.

Mei Dent, TeamViewer’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, said that highlighting these integrations “just weeks after closing the [1E] acquisition” showcases TeamViewer’s “ability to create immediate value for our customers.”

Dent also added:

This milestone reflects our commitment to innovation and agility, combining TeamViewer’s best-in-class remote connectivity with 1E’s real-time monitoring and automated remediation. With these capabilities, IT teams can resolve issues faster and take a more proactive approach to maintaining seamless operations.

Dent called the 1E TeamViewer integrations a “significant step forward in shaping the Digital Workplace and enhancing employee experiences across enterprises worldwide. ” The firm looks to broaden its merged portfolio for enterprise clients shortly, including AI-driven automation, insights, and connectivity.

NewSight Reality Showcase AI-Powered Smart Glasses

Another advancement of AR technology came by the way of NewSight Reality this week. The firm announced TOMM2 (Transparent Optical Management Module 2), an AI-ready near-eye AR display.

NewSight Reality notes that the AR display leverages an ultra-thin form factor, which supports AR devices in achieving maximum energy efficiency and bright outdoor contrast resolution.

NewSight Reality believes that its new AI-ready AR device is ready for various “practical use cases ” in commercial and consumer markets.

Read Ziegler, CEO of NewSight Reality said:

TOMM2 is the answer the smart optics market has been waiting for. TOMM2 extends NSR’s commitment to enabling Augmented Visualization experiences that are practical, versatile and achievable.

According to NewSight Reality, the TOMM2 contains a flexible module-based display technology that removes constraints generally associated with AR devices, providing “the efficiency and scalability required for mass adoption,” remarked Philip Buscemi, interim Chief Technology Officer of NewSight Reality.

“At NSR, we are pioneering and building the future of Augmented Visualization, enabling technologies that are positioned for success,” Buscemi said.

Mojo Vision is adopting NewSight Reality’s new AR display technology, with Nikhil Balram, CEO, adding:

NSR’s approach to enabling practical augmented visualization applications is distinct and compelling. TOMM2 technology with Mojo micro-LED displays is particularly advantageous to smart glasses manufacturers in search of high efficiency solutions that also protect the style, integrity and wearability of their products.