1. Oculus Quest 2: The release of the Oculus Quest 2, a standalone VR headset, marked a significant breakthrough in terms of affordability, performance, and overall user experience.

2. Microsoft Mesh: Microsoft Mesh is an innovative platform that enables shared and collaborative AR experiences across different devices, allowing users to interact and work together in a virtual environment.

3. Apple’s AR glasses: Although not officially released yet, Apple’s rumored AR glasses have generated considerable excitement. Anticipated to be a breakthrough in AR technology, these glasses could reshape how we interact with the digital world.

4. Facebook’s Project Aria: Facebook’s Project Aria involves the development of AR glasses that capture real-world data, enabling the creation of more realistic and context-aware virtual experiences.

5. Improved hand tracking: Hand tracking capabilities in both virtual and augmented reality have significantly improved this year. Advancements in this area enhance the immersion and interactivity of these technologies.

6. Spatial computing: The concept of spatial computing, combining AI, computer vision, and AR/VR, has gained traction. It involves mapping physical spaces in real-time, enabling more realistic and interactive virtual experiences.

7. Haptic feedback advancements: Innovations in haptic feedback technology have contributed to a more immersive experience by providing users with a sense of touch and tactile feedback in virtual environments.

8. Enhanced graphics and rendering: This year has witnessed considerable progress in graphics and rendering technologies for both VR and AR. Improved visuals and realistic rendering techniques contribute to a more convincing and engaging user experience.

9. Remote collaboration tools: The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for remote collaboration tools. VR and AR platforms have seen advancements in this area, allowing people to connect, collaborate, and communicate virtually.

10. Training and simulation applications: VR and AR technologies are increasingly being adopted in industries like healthcare, aviation, and manufacturing for training and simulation purposes. This year, breakthroughs have been made in creating more accurate and realistic training scenarios using these technologies.