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Though it might not be the busiest time for the XR industry, this week has had its share of excitement, thanks in part to the April Fool’s pranks that rippled through our community! There are also some intriguing updates you won’t want to miss, and I’m here to unpack them all for you.
Top News of the Week
Meta’s New Smartglasses Could Set You Back $1400
Recent reports from Bloomberg have unveiled some surprising plans from Meta regarding their next wave of smartglasses, slated for release this year. The upcoming model, codenamed Hypernova, is essentially a beefier version of their Ray-Ban Meta, carrying one display for projecting information to a single eye. This HUD-style display sits at the lower part of your vision, meaning you’ll need to glance down to catch any visuals.
These glasses are operable via touch-sensitive temples or a neural wristband bundled with the glasses package. They boast an upgraded camera somewhat akin to that of the iPhone 13 from 2021. While a two-display model is anticipated in 2027, the naming and no-branded-design is what shook expectations. Contrary to previous models, these will carry Meta’s branding instead of Ray-Ban, a pivot that sidesteps the stylish pull that connected Ray-Ban to consumer success. To top it off, the glasses are slated to retail between $1000-$1400—a hefty price tag for a gadget primarily offering notifications and media capture without substantial functionality.
Unless you’re a die-hard Meta devotee or an avant-garde technology enthusiast, the prime audience here could be developers who love tinkering. Except, the apps available will be curated by Meta, much like its predecessors, limiting the opportunity for developer experimentation.
I cross my fingers that these pricing and branding speculations are off the mark, because otherwise, these glasses might have a tough time finding their niche. People keen on photography have ample options already, and developers looking for more open systems can explore alternatives like those from Brillant Labs. If not, there are always smartwatches which, despite additional purchases, still end up cheaper than Hypernova.
For further details, check reports on Hypernova glasses from [Road To VR], [Upload VR], [Forbes].
Other Relevant News
April Fool’s Day Rolled into the XR Realm
After years of Yves just being myself and a handful others bringing humor to April Fool’s, this year marked a refreshing change with many more joining the prank parade. In a nutshell: I jokingly revealed the Decagear release. Meanwhile, Sebastian Ang cheekily crowned himself the new CEO of Pimax, Ndreams teased Synapse 2 for Google Cardboard, and Voodoo DE offered snippets of a futuristic device.
The entertainment wasn’t just limited to XR; the overall tech world embraced the spirit. One memorable stunt was Razer’s Skibidi headset, jokingly meant to decode Gen Z lingo, which notably, could really come in handy with younger audiences!
Dive into my compilation of hilarious April Fool’s gags from my personal favorite sources.
[More on Decagear and new Pimax headsets], [Sebastian Ang pulling pranks], [VooDoo DE teasing futuristic gadgets], [VRCDN in legal jest], [Razer’s entertaining innovations].
US Tariffs Threaten Headset Prices
The introduction of new U.S tariffs painted quite a gloomy picture on the global stock exchanges this "Black Monday". While the full implications remain uncertain, should these tariffs persist, electronic devices—including XR headsets—are on shaky ground as product costs could spike.
American companies sourcing from Asia stand to see rising component costs, potentially forcing a price bump to recoup expenses. An expected outcome might catapult Quest 3S’s price to around $500, impacting consumer demand sharply since VR products are more luxury than necessity. The immediate impact spells a downturn just when the XR market could least afford it.
Fingers crossed this turbulence is just a phase, as it’s not the growth-stimulant the XR sector needs right now.
[Impact of tariffs on XR headsets], [Tariffs’ impact on computers].
News Worth Mentioning
Apple’s Unveils Intelligence with Vision Pro 2.4
Hot off the press is news of Apple’s VisionOS 2.4 for the remarkable Vision Pro, offering users exciting new features:
- Apple Intelligence for text review, summarization, and image generation.
- A “Spatial Gallery” to explore captivating photos and videos in immersive formats.
- A companion app adding ease to guest mode configurations, offering seamless device management.
For more details, head to [VisionOS 2.4 by Road To VR], [VisionOS 2.4 through Upload VR].
Quest: A Tale of Two Realities
For the Quest ecosystem, it’s a mixed bag. On one end, titles like Gorilla Tag, I Am Cat, and the latest hit, Animal Company, are flying off virtual shelves. On the flip side, the market faces hurdles with some developers losing their edge and an evident reduction in financial inflow.
While announcements of $2 billion spent in the Horizon Store at GDC were meant to tingle interest, it mostly highlighted the stagnant pace as these numbers lingered unchanged from the previous year. This holds particularly true with a rising tide of youth indulging in freemium games.
[Quest’s $2B revenue milestone], [Current game successes on Quest], [Animal Company’s financial success].
Switch 2 Poses Problem for Labo Fans
The buzz surrounding Switch 2 has been immense. However, for XR enthusiasts, there’s a snag: The revamped, larger screen doesn’t mesh with the original Labo. Sadly, Nintendo has shown little interest in developing a new compatible version.
PSVR 2 Eye Tracking Finds Its Way to PC
Innovative devs are steering PSVR 2 towards new horizons. A developer going by “whatdahopper” and iVRy have collaborated to potentially allow PSVR 2’s eye-tracking on PC. Success here could see PSVR 2 become an appealing, cost-friendly eye-tracking option for both recreational and research purposes.
Discover more on developing eye-tracking tech [here].
Quest’s Camera: Gateway to Creative Breakthroughs
Each week, the Quest development sphere gets ever more impressive. Developers are uploading fascinating prototypes leveraging camera inputs: voxelized 3D spaces, real-time object scanning—and even virtual ball tracking.
Check out these innovative experiments [here].
Feel the Future With Thin Haptic Skins
A recent breakthrough in synthetic tactile technology could redefine user interaction. The prototype, tested on fingertips, provides nuanced pressure feedback via expanding nodes, simulating interactive physical contact. Market readiness remains distant, yet the innovation is promising.
[Learn more about haptic skin research].
Ruff Talk VR Showcases Indie Game Brilliance
Ruff Talk VR’s YouTube channel featured a dynamic VR gaming event spotlighting indie titles making waves. Some noteworthy announcements include:
- Civilization VII VR planned for an April 10 release, exclusive to Quest 3 and 3S, priced at $60.
- Velociblaster—a thrilling multiplayer dinosaur adventure—now wishlist-able on Quest.
- Train Sim World launched on Quest for a realistic railway VR experience at $32.
Several more captivating games are in the pipeline, promising broader horizons for VR gaming aficionados. Stay updated [here].
Content Reviews
A rundown of recent VR releases underscores the diverse landscape:
-
"Pinball FX VR" impresses with varied table options and clever mixed-reality modding capabilities.
-
"Wanderer: Fragments Of Fate" intrigues with well-conceived puzzles, although minor tweaks—especially regarding bugs—could enhance its potential substantially.
- "Hitman World Of Assassination" on PSVR 2 has been positively reviewed, proving its value to enthusiasts.
Catch comprehensive reviews [here].
Additional News Nuggets
- ACE joins SIG SAUER to craft a Quest controller replicating a real gun’s aesthetics.
- The Squid Game VR experience at Sandbox VR reports over $30M in ticket sales.
- Don Hopper’s glowing review of the Mocopi Pro tracking set at GDC.
- Virtual Desktop’s latest feature enhances Mac use with pristine virtual monitors.
Community discoveries confirm modern kids show better resilience against motion sickness compared to adults. Meanwhile, HTC commemorates Vive’s 9th birthday. Happy Birthday, Vive!
Partner News
A budding enterprise, “Mixed Reality Tech,” spearheaded by an experienced XR entrepreneur offers application testing services. Contact them for support in refining your XR creations.
Just for Laughs in XR
In tribute to light-hearted fun:
- Could a 96° FOV solve the mystery of motion sickness?
- Imagine if humans ran on language model prompts.
For a dose of humor, check these quick giggles [here].
Support a Worthy Cause
As always, rather than soliciting contributions for this blog, I encourage aid for those impacted by global crises. Contributions to the Red Cross’s efforts in Ukraine are immensely valuable. Huge appreciation to my Patreon supporters whose generosity fuels this endeavor.
To extend your help, donate to [Support The Red Cross in Ukraine].
(Header image courtesy of Razer)
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