This week the Khronos Group has announced the launch of the very first official version of the OpenXR specification, enabling developers to build applications that can run on various devices across brands without the need to create individual applications for each.
With this in mind, OpenXR could make cross-platform virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications a lot more common in the near future. Brent Insko, OpenXR working group chair, explained a little more:
“The working group is excited to launch the 1.0 version of the OpenXR specification, and the feedback from the community on the provisional specification released in March has been invaluable to getting us to this significant milestone. Our work continues as we now finalize a comprehensive test suite, integrate key game engine support, and plan the next set of features to evolve a truly vibrant, cross-platform standard for XR platforms and devices. Now is the time for software developers to start putting OpenXR to work.”
Benefits of OpenXR for Developers and Users
The introduction of OpenXR 1.0 is a game-changer for both developers and users. For developers, it means a significant reduction in the time and resources needed to create applications that work across multiple VR and AR platforms. Instead of writing different versions of an application for each device, developers can now write a single application that runs on any OpenXR-compliant device. This not only speeds up the development process but also ensures a more consistent user experience across different hardware.
For users, the benefits are equally compelling. With OpenXR, users can expect a broader range of applications available on their devices, regardless of the brand. This interoperability means that a VR game developed for one headset can be played on another without any additional modifications. The same goes for AR applications, which can now be used across different AR glasses and devices seamlessly.
Industry Support and Future Prospects
The launch of OpenXR 1.0 has garnered significant support from major industry players. Companies like Epic Games, Microsoft, and Oculus have backed the initiative, recognizing the potential for a unified standard to drive the XR industry forward. This support is crucial for the widespread adoption of OpenXR, as it ensures that the standard will be integrated into popular game engines and platforms.
Epic Games, for instance, has announced plans to integrate OpenXR support into its Unreal Engine, one of the most widely used game engines in the world. This move will make it easier for developers using Unreal Engine to create cross-platform XR applications. Similarly, Microsoft has expressed its commitment to incorporating OpenXR into its Mixed Reality platform, which includes devices like the HoloLens.
As the XR industry continues to grow, the need for a unified standard like OpenXR becomes increasingly important. The next steps for the OpenXR working group include finalizing a comprehensive test suite to ensure compatibility across devices and integrating support into key game engines. Additionally, the group is already planning the next set of features to further enhance the standard and keep pace with the rapidly evolving XR landscape.
As soon as more details are announced regarding when the different virtual reality and augmented reality headsets will be able to share applications, we will keep you up to speed as always.
Source: Engadget : VentureBeat : Khronos
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