Microsoft may resurrect its mixed reality business

Executive summary

Welcome to your weekly briefing on the metaverse and spatial computing. Here are your snippets to sound smarter in meetings this week:

• Top story: Microsoft may resurrect its mixed reality business (analysis below).

• Event: The Immersive Wire and City, University of London is hosting a free networking and drinks event in London. Come along if you wish!

• Looking for roles: The list of people looking for future roles has been updated.

• Other stories: Pico teased a new VR headset that will be revealed 20 August, VR Games SHowcase will happen 15 August, and XRHack is happening from 14 August (more stories below).

• Personal note: Apologies for the either shrunk content in the newsletters or the inconsistent output. Lots happening personally at the moment which is impacting the Wire. If you have any notes on what you want from the Wire, please reply to this email and make sure the To box is going to tom (at) immersivewire (dot) com.

Top story

Microsoft may resurrect its mixed reality business.

• What’s happening? The Richmond company may be partnering with Samsung to create OLED panels for its headsets, with mass production not starting until 2026. The device may be more for entertainment and gaming rather than engagement.

• Why is it important? If true, it’s the most consumer-facing that Microsoft has been on immersive technologies for some time.

Other stories:

• AWE EU is happening from 29 October in Vienna.

  • Use code 24IMWIRE20D to get a discount.

• DPVR is expanding into Canada after a North American expansion.

• Kopin, which makes thermal imaging sensors, received a $1.5mn follow-on order.

• Looking Glass has begun shipping 16” and 32” Spatial Displays.

• Pico teased a new VR headset that will be revealed 20 August.

• Metadome.AI raised $6.5mn to provide XR twinned with AI.

• Mixrift, a studio, raised $1.6mn in funding.

• Ready At Dawn Studios, which made Echo VR, is shut down by Meta.

• Reliance Jio announced a partnership with Meta to use its HorizonOS. 

• XRHack is happening from 14 August.

Note: The Immersive Wire is run by Tom Ffiske, who also works within Accenture’s metaverse group. The contents of the newsletter should not be regarded as Accenture’s views.