Microsoft Ends Mixed Reality Support: Is the Future of VR Looking Grim?

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

These videos made possible thanks to the generosity of my Patrons! They get early access and 4K videos like this one! www.patreon.com/posts/microsoft-ends-95337067

[@bbbbbbbibiya2344]

people must file a complaint against Microsoft, it is unacceptable to do this to people who use Windows Mixed Reality and will therefore have to throw their virtual reality headset in the trash, they must not get away with it, in fact they will not do not even leave the possibility of downloading the application via Microsoft store in the event of a problem with Windows 11 or with the WMR application, this is therefore unacceptable!

[@xXRenaxChanXx]

It has nothing to do with consumer interest and everything to do with greedy executives and shareholders being obsessed with profits. They want every product to produce near infinite money and throw a fit when it doesn't.

[@or888]

So frustrating, i have my Lenovo Explorer VR set that still works perfectly! Hopefully the userbase will be able to circumvent this EOL. I don't understand why they have to PULL all the support from windows, instead of just not updating it anymore.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

It's really disappointing. Even if they could keep SOME resources available for consumers or at least open up the platform and make it an open sourced project.

[@MrTheBassline]

The Lenovo Explorer was my first headset. Picked one up for £100 a few years back. Was a great budget VR headset! Did the job just fine...

[@goldenbullhorn]

I think this whole windows 3D/mixed reality saga failed miserably, but I am forever grateful that this initiative lead to powerpoint having the ability to insert 3D object and do basic animation. As a mechanical engineering student, this is a humongous win.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

I know right. We got a couple little pieces that are actually really nice from that whole era of MS "going big" on VR. It's a shame they couldn't look at the sector longer term.

[@isaacvale918]

I love buying a stupid expemsive piece of tech, and suddenly having the ability to even use it taken away.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Totes. It's my FAVE!

[@MJaccobFTW]

I hate hearing that WMR is end I feel like so much more could have happened even making more vr headsets if possible. I wish there was a way to stop this. I don't want WMR to die.

[@davidburns8113]

This stuff drives me crazy. What is the big empowering thing VR let's us do? The most attractive thing I've seen in wearable eye tech is wearable monitors. How does VR allow us to be more productive? They keep transitioning VR to enterprise solutions but seriously can I do more excel in VR or just a bigger wider monitor?

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

NO ONE WANTS TO WORK IN VR!

[@covertpuppytwo3857]

_"How does VR allow us to be more productive?"_ - In many ways... IE, a company can have a team of engineers spread out all over the world and with VR, all of them can work together in the same room on the same computer and or virtual model to collaborate in real time. Many car and plane manufacturers design their vehicles this way with VR.

[@legerdemain]

The Apple Vision Pro looks like the first really legit attempt since WMR at putting a bunch of applications in a space and letting me work on them. All I really wanted from WMR was an upgrade to the "flashlight" feature so I could see my keyboard and the rest of my environment.

[@thejackofclubs]

i got a quest 2 a couple years ago. i hated the facebookyness and my pc was not vr ready, but ive been very happy with it. i wanted a vr headset since the dk1 but never got one, even looked at the $99 wmr headsets. its sad to say, but i trust meta to stick with it, they update it with major features every month and even got valve to invest in it. steam link on it is great. its always a question of how long a connected device will be supported and can operate. the worst feeling is knowing you wasted your money. hell, i almost bought a rift s. everyone said the pico 4 would crush the quest 2 and then bytedance announced the pico 5 was canceled. meta and valve might be the only companies i trust to buy a vr headset from.

[@Xalies]

Of course if it's not viable you can't expect offical BUT the hardware is there and you have the tools/softtware, what is the harm to release it to the wilds.... and let the public keep it alive

[@RessidentMiia]

i mean in theory it should work forever ....you just cant delete the program

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Or reinstall your os, or buy a new system, or...

[@simster2759]

Still using my lenovo explorer i dont reslly use it enough to justify an upgrade/replacement but will also be very sad to lose it just because software is yoinked. Still runs super hot and beat Saber playable enough to have a game here and there

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Mine is kind of a Tetris, Thumper, beatsaber machine LOL.

[@BrianGlaze]

I think part of the solution to this type of problem is to educate consumers on how to give feedback to companies about what you want or like. The amount of people I talk to that never have the thought cross their mind that they can give feedback is astounding. Starting conversations only has upside. The worst thing is that you're ignored. I've reached out to businesses and told them what I'm interested in directly and I've gotten responses. It's easier than ever now with social media. Not saying it is the consumer's responsibility, because I agree with the responsibility laying with executive leadership.

[@TechySpeaking]

Is this the same or different from Hololens?

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Different.

[@gamersxpsn1822]

Great video. Windows didn't market their VR capabilities. They were early to the trend, and didn't try to nurture it's community. Sony is heading down the same path now... The headset isn't profitable so why support it? Well, there are those of us that genuinely enjoy VR, and those that have been priced out. Quest is doing all the right things at the moment. It won't be too long until the PC as we know it is under threat and they will again be playing catch-up.

[@ghayes220]

Hoping Microsoft is NOT following in Google's footsteps, long term.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Me too, but they're pretty inconsistent about these projects too...

[@Sabundy]

Just my opinion.....but i think VR and AR/XR largely remain solutions to problems that dont exist. At least for now. The tech just isnt there to make it compelling enough outside of gaming. And even with gaming (an audience you think would be really into it) there is a tepid response. The Occulus and PSVR2 just arent that big. The sales numbers are not big. The form factors also just dont help. Headsets are just too much. Most people will just not strap these things onto their heads outside of a few experiences where the novelty wears off quickly. And that includes the Apple Vision Pro. I just cant see lots of people strapping what looks like large ski goggles onto their head with a soap on a rope battery to do things they could just do on a screen in front of them. Whether that be a phone, a tablet, or a TV. Thats why the Apple Vision Pro just baffles me. Its such a solution to a problem that doesnt exist. Why does anyone need to strap something onto their head to use IOS when they can just do it on whatever Apple device is already in front of them? 🤷🤷🤷🤷. I truly believe that until they can put all that tech into something that actually does look like a stylish pair of glasses.....that is light, comfortable to wear, and affordable......you will never get the mainstream onboard.

[@covertpuppytwo3857]

PC's, Tablets, Smart Phones, etc... all largely remain solutions to problems that didn't exist... until they did.

[@Sabundy]

@@covertpuppytwo3857 I don't agree with that. I think that's a bizzare statement. PCs replaced typewriters. And they could do things typewriters couldn't. A lot more. Not least of all internet access. Laptops and tablets and phones? Come on.....those are all making a computer smaller and mobile. And allow a ton of things to be done on the go. How on earth could those be described as solutions to problems that didn't exist? Please explain what an AR headset does that is so compelling that I'm going to strap a device of their size onto my head to do something that I can just do on a screen In front of me? I'm listening...... Also....if you actually bothered to read what I wrote.....I specifically and clearly stated that they are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist .....for now. Of course people far more intelligent than me could develop useful functions for the form factor. Or as I also clearly stated....once they can ever squeeze all that technology into something as light, comfortable and inconspicuous as a pair of glasses. Or are you genuinely trying to convince me that people are walking around outside wearing any of the current AR headsets? Do you actually see someone sitting on an airplane wearing the Apple Vision Pro? 😂😂😂😂. Why would I strap a fairly large headset onto my head to do what I could just do on a screen in front of me? And the very FACT that you didn't even attempt to answer that question says a lot....... because you don't know either.

[@covertpuppytwo3857]

​@@Sabundy I don’t know how old you are but I’m 56 years old. My first home computer was the Texas Instruments Ti-99/4a home computer when I was 16/17 years old. About a year or two later the movie ‘War Games’ came out. And if you’re from that time period like myself… No “PC” as in personal computers existed yet, no MS-DOS, no standards, no killer apps, and long before the Internet…and yes, the overwhelmingly majority of people of that time never believed a “personal computer” would ever be good enough to replace typewriters or be a popular home device. You now saying what the PC has become and how valuable they are… is after the fact the vast majority of people didn’t envision it... and that’s simple…you’re Monday morning quarterbacking. _“Please explain what an AR headset does that is so compelling that I'm going to strap a device of their size onto my head to do something that I can just do on a screen In front of me?”_ - There is a big difference between VR and AR. This video and my comment to you is about VR not AR. AR has its place but I’m going to stick with VR for now. First of all, you talk about size. Yes, they are too big today… just like what I said about the first portable computers. They too were too big and too heavy and no one wanted to lug it around. Paper and pencil were still the accountant’s preferred choice when going to clients then carrying them for a long while. The most popular VR headset today is made by Meta. Meta not long ago released the Meta 3 Quest headset. Approximately two years later, the new headset (Quest 3) is VASTLY superior with far greater capability to the version 2 headset in just about every way. It’s also significantly smaller than version 2. You also asked, what can you do with a VR that you can’t do with a regular monitor. Well, there’s a lot but what you didn’t say… what you can do today in VR or what you’ll be able to do tomorrow in VR. That is also a lot! So much so, that this comment would be WAY TOO long. But I’ll give you some examples today with the Quest 3. The Quest 3 today mixes reality with VR and that is opening an entire new world of possibilities. I recently saw a youtube video from some guy who’s channel appears to be about restoring old Corvettes. He did an entire segment about replacing break-lights on some vintage car and he recorded the entire video from his Quest 3 headset (the Quest 3 does allow you to record what you see in the headset). In his video, you can see the car and his floating virtual monitor… he could use his hand to move that floating monitor around where he listed the steps for the viewers to follow along with seeing the car. Then he also showed on that monitor webpages of various vendors about the different choices of lights they could purchase for the car. Which was amazing. He created this video all together… the actual car and him replacing the lights and the floating monitor with all types of information… all that without any after production editing. Can’t do that with just a monitor. I like to cook but I’m not a good cook. With my Quest 3, using the passthrough video (mixing reality with virtual reality)… I’m able to wear my wireless headset, see everything around me in the real-world but still have a floating virtual monitor. I place my virtual monitor above my kitchen Island and bring up a youtube channel on a recipe. Gather all the items I need which I can see on my virtual monitor then proceed with the video on the step-by-steps instructions from the virtual monitor in my kitchen. When I’m at the stove, I can move that virtual monitor above my stove when I want or just out of the way. And I can cook that entire meal WITHOUT ever taking off the VR headset and not using controllers as the Quest 3 has hand tracking controls. And when I’m finished cooking my meal, I can do all the dishes in the sink while placing the virtual monitor above the sink so I can watch a little TV while I do the dishes. Oh, and because I have MagicJack phone service, and the Quest 3 runs Android Programs… I can also answer or make calls while I’m doing all this. Without ever the need to take off the headset… and again, not requiring a real keyboard or controllers because the Quest has virtual keyboards and it works very well with my actual hands which I can clearly see in VR. How easy is it to move your monitor into the kitchen and place it wherever you want it by moving it with your hands? I could keep going on with a lot more examples but this would turn into a book! _“Do you actually see someone sitting on an airplane wearing the Apple Vision Pro?”_ - The Apple Vision pro isn’t out yet. But yes… you will. I have no doubt but other headsets like the Quest 3 and future version… absolutely you will!!! _“Why would I strap a fairly large headset onto my head to do what I could just do on a screen in front of me? And the very FACT that you didn't even attempt to answer that question says a lot....... because you don't know either.”_ - Accountants in the early 1990's: _"why would I lug this very heavy portable computer when I can simply just use paper and pencil and input the data later when I come back to the office."_ Yes… I answered the question. You just weren’t paying attention.

[@bbahunter6436]

The question for me: Will my headset still work in DCS?

[@feepants4495]

Damn, i thought this would be a cheap option. the next one up is double the price. No use in buying it anymore?

[@RichardRatner.1972]

Hey Juan. Thanks for all your videos this year 🙏 Big love to you & the family, Happy New Year, kindest regards, Richard U.K.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Happiest of holidays buddy! Hope you and the fam are doing well this season! 😊

[@RichardRatner.1972]

@@SomeGadgetGuy We are all well this side of the pond thanks very much 👍

[@Spicysauced]

My thoughts: Simple. As long as I have to put that kind of contraption on my head, it's not gonna happen. What we need are VR capable devices that are as convenient as a phone (meaning: light, small, *actually* useful, cheap). Add to that: Cost. I play flight sims. To have the same visual fidelity in VR that I have now in "2D", I'd need a 4080 or better, in addition to the initial cost of the headset itself. Regarding VR, we are in what's equivalent to the C64 era of computing. Its just a nono. For now.

[@OktaFierce]

Haven't been able to use my Acer since I got a 5600G chip. Only get 14-2 error. No driver support.

[@orincat10]

i just upgraded from the lenovo explorer to a quest 2 with plans to sell the lenovo- guess that's not gonna happen lol.

[@LaczPro]

That's the exact feeling I had when Stadia was phased out. The controller was amazing (I'm still using one to this day) and so, I bought one just after the announcement, hoping one day it was going to be unlocked or something. We kinda get that from Google getting Bluetooth connection enabled (while losing its WiFi), but it's limited until this December 31st. I don't know if I want to spend on a VR headset for Windows now like I did with my Stadia controller, even though I'm such a fan of what Microsoft does (and even though they always need to mess up sometimes many times), unless there's something available for playing with those, keeping them out of landfills.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Yup. Spot on. This kind of move has a HUGE chilling effect on new user adoption.

[@SeanAdams001]

Lack of vision at the top. That part. Microsoft won several times over the years in markets they no longer compete in now. They just never committed to releasing the best version of the products they chose to cancel despite the fact that the market told them exactly what they wanted in the product for them to jump all in.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

When they STAYED in the laptop market, the Surface became a well received show piece that helped guide the direction of other laptops and tablets. Microsoft tried to pull a Google with Mixed Reality, and then left their partners holding the bag.

[@dsoprano13]

I think it's a big mistake on their end. But what I think Mixed Reality needed was a hero product. It was mostly marketed as a software ecosystem and I don't think that's exciting to consumers. They needed to push some kind of consumer Hololens or make a Surface headset. Something that users can easily identify.

[@BDawgStudio]

Whats the future of my HP reverb g2?

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Unknown. Probably fine for a year or two.

[@Neightlive]

After 2 years you have to throw it in the bin

[@MonoWheelCroatia]

I'm putting it out there: "Baldurs Gate 3 augmented reality" 3D D&D at a table with your friends.

[@iglapsu88]

Just give it time. Niche for sure and may always be for consumers. If it takes off, it will likely be an enterprise setting.

[@gNeric]

i just bought my reverb g2 a year ago so it very much sucks it might be e-waste in another year

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

REALLY hoping some enthusiasts are able to make some open sourced drivers or find ways to support the hardware.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

Question, could Microsoft be killing Mixed reality because they plan to have Open XR replace it? In Open XR you can choose Steam VR instead of Windows Mixed reality as its VR source so could that mean our mixed reality headsets won't be dead, only that they shift over to Open XR as the method in which we use them?

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

I mean I hope they have better plans than what we're seeing now, yes.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

@@SomeGadgetGuy With Open XR I have Steam VR set as the default. The Windows Mixed Reality Portal still comes up but I PC isn't really using it for VR. I am hoping that is the case because I am running my Reverb G2 at 150% resolution in Microsoft Flight Simulator and it is crystal clear.

[@Bredtoaster]

It's so sad.. Just make the software open source. But they probably won't. I still have one and it works perfectly, it's dumb that they can just decide to nuke the hardware.

[@vincelongman3264]

Unfortunately yet another thing that Microsoft has half-assed and later killed. But VR/AR/MR will live on. The Quest 2/3 is still selling well, and its only gonna grow

[@christiankubat8259]

Microsoft is not the first failing with VR. In the past 20 years multiple companies failed. The last one is Meta. VR will never be successful. Nobody wants to wear this devices for more than half an hour.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

Meta has a LOT of work to do on user retention, but before the Quest 3 launch, I think there were roughly 20 million 2 and Pro headsets out in the wild. Those numbers would place Quest about a million units behind the combined sales of the XBox Series S/X. I'd hardly say that's a failure, especially for something as niche as VR.

[@vincelongman3264]

@@SomeGadgetGuy Agreed, the software side of VR/AR/MR still needs heaps of work. IMO that's where Apple will help out majorly (although we probably won't see the results until a few years time once the "cheaper" Apple HMD releases

[@bricequirl]

Super disappointed 😞. Love Windows MR & Steam VR. Invested in the HP Reverb G2, which is great hardware for the software. If something never really succeed, how can it fail? Wish Microsoft could just continue to let it exist...but we're all familiar w/ M$'s moto: if it doesn't turn a profit, then it gets the 🪓.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

It would be rad to see some support for open sourcing some of the software. Get basic steam functionality supported.

[@bricequirl]

@@SomeGadgetGuy Yeah, there's hope! Absolutely adored Windows Media Center -- thought it was the hidden gem of Windows 7. We all know what happened to it. After its deprecation, didn't know what I was going to do. But I now love Kodi, and I think it's better in almost every regard. I believe a similar destiny waits for MR/VR on Windows. It will take time, but there will be a community of dedicated developers that will take an interest in making open source software to support VR on Windows.

[@MyLeoOne]

I waited so long for a new generation of windows mixed reality headsets to get into vr because I didn't want to give meta my money ... Guess I'll have to just get a quest if I want to get into this without spending 1000€ for an index

[@pkerry12]

i warned every one when these first came out that Microsoft will give up on it or it will fail. Just like the holo lens and various other projects they do every thing they do always fails the only thing that doesnt' is windows. Thta still keeps them a float.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

HoloLens lived on as a government/military contract. Just like Google Glass was actually decently successful in the enterprise/medical/warehouse space. No one wants to invest in consumer grade though.

[@freescape08]

I was honestly just looking at the used market for Samsung's wmr Odyssey+. Glad i didn't waste that money.

[@Dude_Slick]

I just got an odyssey. I'll just keep a rig with updates turned off.

[@Exacerbate42]

I can now throw away my “Samsung Odyssey Plus” and my “HP Reverb G2”! Never again Microsoft!!!

[@DavidWeddell]

Maybe if the mixed reality headsets had more integration with games like Call of Duty , Halo, Fallout and so on but it would appear game’s developer showing no interest in the tech

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

It's a TOUGH developer challenge, and requires a lot of investment to cater to a small base of users.

[@bbbbbbbibiya2344]

​@@SomeGadgetGuypeople must file a complaint against Microsoft, it is unacceptable to do this to people who use Windows Mixed Reality and will therefore have to throw their virtual reality headset in the trash, they must not get away with it, in fact they will not do not even leave the possibility of downloading the application via Microsoft store in the event of a problem with Windows 11 or with the WMR application, this is therefore unacceptable!

[@coolerking7427]

This is why I use Linux.

[@megadeth8592]

this just reminds me of Zune all over again..... makes me sad

[@Sabundy]

It's what Microsoft does though. Windows phones anyone? Nokia? Skype?

[@Charles-Darwin]

VR seems like the last card when a lull in innovation is rounding over. Unless meta with their shiny new vr/ar labs can work some magic... it's adeu until next time ig.

[@gabriels.carrionvivar5060]

My HK invoke and all Microsoft duo. I’ll just stick to apple

[@charlescdt6509]

Not a shock with Panos gone. Sadly here in the US no one really buys it unless it has a fruit logo on it and are told its cool.

[@SomeGadgetGuy]

No joke. Worried about the whole remaining surface division... I LOVED that hardware.

[@Sabundy]

Sadly that's true. I have noticed even surface seems to be disappearing

[@enihi]

All this wasted potential! I'm seeing parallels to Android Desktop not becoming a huge thing.

[@coolerking7427]

More Tech Waste.

[@the.littlest.toaster]

I tired to tell people vr is dead the hype for apples vr died so fast. Niche product for a smaller user base. Me personally i don't want to strap anything to my head it's already heavy enough on its own.

[@YOWTUNUP]

gta6 will not be on pc