These aren’t the most bustling times for the XR world, but at least the April Fool’s jokes provided some lively moments! Plus, there have been some noteworthy developments in our sphere. I’m going to cover all of that in this roundup, ensuring you’re kept in the loop about all things XR! 😊
Top Stories of the Week
Meta’s Upcoming Smartglasses Could Hit $1400
According to Bloomberg, Meta’s new smartglasses, coming this year, are stirring some surprises. Codenamed Hypernova, these glasses are a larger take on Ray-Ban Meta, featuring a single display that subtly presents visuals in your lower field of vision. Commands are handled through capacitive temples or a neural wristband. An upgraded camera is also in the mix, aiming for an iPhone 13-level experience. Expectations for 2027 include a dual-display version.
What’s unexpected? They’ll bear the Meta brand instead of Ray-Ban’s, risking the stylish appeal and the established distribution advantage. Plus, a price tag rumored between $1000-$1400 breaks from the previous affordable strategy—a lofty sum for something offering features your phone already covers. Short of a passionate Meta following or tech enthusiasts, who would shell out this much? Typically, developers keen to experiment might, yet the curated app experience pretty much shuts that door too. Here’s hoping Bloomberg got it wrong since it’s hard to see who would leap at purchasing a device with such limitations.
[More info from various outlets like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Forbes]
Other Major News
April Fool’s Jokes Light Up the XR Scene
It seems more than just the usual suspects joined the fun this April Fool’s. I teased Decagear’s launch while Sebastian Ang donned the CEO hat at Pimax in jest. There was Ndreams’ Google Cardboard giggle with Synapse 2 and Voodoo DE hinting at wild new tech. Razer’s prank, a Skibidi headset translating Gen Z jargon, topped my list, perfect for those entering the world of screaming kids on Gorilla Tag. Dive into the links for more laughs!
[Explore various entries including mine, Sebastian’s, and others]
New US Tariffs – Could Headset Prices Rise?
New tariffs in the U.S. have led to a turbulent Monday at global stock exchanges. While the long-term status of these tariffs remains uncertain, if they stick around, the cost impact on electronics, including XR headsets, would be significant. This could mean pricier components and manufacturing costs, likely leading to higher retail prices. Thus, a Quest 3S might shoot up to $500 after current stocks run out. Since VR headsets are more luxury than necessity, any price hike could be detrimental, potentially stunting XR’s already sluggish mainstream growth. Fingers crossed this situation is temporary.
[Read more about the potential impact of tariffs]
Noteworthy Mentions
Apple Deploys VisionOS 2.4 for Vision Pro
Apple’s VisionOS just got its 2.4 update, offering cool features:
- Apple Intelligence for tasks like text proofreading and image creation.
- Spatial Gallery, showcasing stunning photos and videos.
- A companion app that enhances guest features.
[Check out Road To VR and Upload VR for full details]
Quest Ecosystem is Both Booming and Struggling
It’s a mixed bag for the Quest platform. On one side, games like Gorilla Tag and Animal Company are raking in revenues. Yet, other areas see devs losing market traction and money flow diminishing, even as Meta touts $2 billion spent on the Horizon Store—a stagnation reflected in repeated figures. With a rise in free-to-play games, spending hasn’t surged.
[See more on Quest’s current financial insights]
Nintendo Labo Hits a Snag with Switch 2
While Switch 2 buzzes in tech circles, bad news awaits XR fans: the Labo won’t fit the newer, larger Switch model. And there’s no replacement in sight, putting a damper on those hoping for an upgraded accessory.
Developers Work on PSVR 2 Eye Tracking for PC
A talented developer, known as whatdahopper, can extract PSVR 2’s eye-tracking data for PC use, potentially making it the cheapest eye-tracking headset available. Partnering with iVRy, they aim to unlock exciting features for both research and VRChat enthusiasts.
[Learn more about these technical advances]
Innovative Work with Quest Camera Access
Developers never fail to amaze! They’re experimenting with Quest’s camera, achieving feats like voxelizing environments and creating demo objects in 3D. A mixed reality drone capable of photography is just one standout project.
[Find out about these cutting-edge demos]
Innovative Features in Haptics
A fascinating study introduces a thin haptic skin that delivers tactile feedback through inflatable dots, simulating touch in a novel way. It’s still in early stages, particularly focusing on fingertips, yet it holds promise for future developments.
[Discover more about this haptic breakthrough]
Notable VR Game Releases and Updates
Ruff Talk VR showcased intriguing indie titles, with highlights like:
- Civilization VII VR on Quest 3 and 3S come April 10 for $60.
- Velociblaster is now wishlisted on Quest—yes, you can become armed velociraptors!
- Train Sim World lands on Quest for a truly immersive train driving escapade.
See detailed insights into each release and expansion, including tantalizing projects like re-creating Half-Life: Alyx for Quest 3.
Game Reviews
- Pinball FX VR offers a compelling pinball experience with mixed reality wonders.
- Wanderer: Fragments Of Fate presents clever puzzles but needs combat improvements.
- Hitman World Of Assassination on PSVR 2 earns positive praise.
Check reviews for deeper dives into these engaging titles and more.
Partnerships and Tech
ACE teams with SIG SAUER to craft a real-gun-weight controller for Quest. Meanwhile, Razer Skibidi, Roch’s testimonial on Mocopi Pro, and new Virtual Desktop updates keep the tech advancements rolling.
[Explore more about these partnerships and technological strides]
Fun Corner
Laugh along with some hilarious XR-related antics, whether solving motion sickness with 96° FOV or indulging in AI language mishaps. These brought a hearty chuckle!
[Enjoy these light-hearted XR-themed links]
Call for Support
Continuing the tradition from last time, I’m urging support for those impacted by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Please consider contributing to the Red Cross to aid in these dire circumstances. And a heartfelt thank you to all my amazing Patreon supporters—your help is invaluable!
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image courtesy of Razer)
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