Mixed Reality Music Discovery Prototype Lets You Smash Or Save Virtual Records (UploadVR)
Here at Xanu, we’re always on the lookout for dynamic, forward-thinking projects that illuminate the endless potential of emerging technologies. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that our own CEO, Jeremy Kesten, recently teamed up with a creative and passionate group of developers and designers at the Meta Quest Presence Platform Hackathon, collaborating on a prototype called Wreckommendation Engine. This mixed reality experience—originally conceived by freelance Creative Director Bob Bjarke—takes music discovery to a whole new dimension.
Music Discovery Meets Mixed Reality
Wreckommendation Engine demonstrates how blending the physical and digital realms can reinvigorate something as routine as finding new songs to enjoy. Imagine a virtual record player and a crate of vinyl records appearing in your real-world space through the Quest Pro’s passthrough feature. You pick a record from the crate, place it on the turntable, and discover a brand-new track right there in your living room.
Do you like what you hear? Great—toss it against a special wall to keep it in your favorites. Not a fan? Throw it at a second wall to smash it to bits. Such physical engagement with music selection breathes new life into the algorithmic process of streaming-age discovery.
A Collaboration Across Disciplines
Wreckommendation Engine was built by a dream team:
- Bob Bjarke, Freelance Creative Director and former Meta contributor
- Unity developers @RJdoesVR and Xanu’s own CEO Jeremy Kesten
- 3D artist and prototype expert Joe Kane
- Immersive sound designer David Urrutia
Their goal? “Use the immersive tools of mixed reality to make a more fun and social music experience,” especially when modern music discovery and playlist creation have become solitary, screen-based tasks.
Playlists Come to Life
This innovative prototype integrates directly with Spotify, using its API to:
- Present you with new tracks in a tactile, record-based interface.
- Track your preferences—whether you keep or smash a record.
- Compile your saved tracks into a playlist, accessible later through Spotify.
The result is a prototype that not only makes music discovery more interactive but also feels like a throwback to the days of mixtapes and burning CDs with friends—activities once inherently social. Plus, if you smash too many records, they come back as a killer robot, which you can only fend off by tossing more vinyl at it. Talk about a unique boss battle!
The Future of Music and Social VR
While Wreckommendation Engine is just a proof-of-concept, it underscores the passion and creativity fueling new frontiers in immersive technology. The blend of real and virtual elements shows how we might bring true physicality—and a dash of playful chaos—to the otherwise passive act of discovering music online.
As a company always striving to push the boundaries of interactivity and collaboration, Xanu is proud that Jeremy Kesten joined forces with such an inventive team. Wreckommendation Engine is a terrific example of what can happen when forward-thinking artists, developers, and designers come together to explore the next generation of computing.
Stay tuned—because if projects like Wreckommendation Engine are any indication, the future of music discovery promises to be as vibrant as it is entertaining. Here at Xanu, we can’t wait to keep you updated on more mixed reality innovations that spark imagination and connection.
About Xanu:
Xanu is committed to driving cutting-edge, community-focused technological solutions that bridge the gap between physical and digital worlds. Our vision is to create technologies that redefine how people work, play, and learn—together.