Although the XR (Extended Reality) space isn’t exactly buzzing with activity right now, the recent April Fool’s Day certainly brought some much-needed excitement to our universe! This week, there are a few noteworthy updates I’ll cover in my latest roundup, ensuring you’re up-to-date with all the intriguing developments in the XR world. 😊
Top News of the Week
Meta’s New Smartglasses: A Pricey Surprise
Bloomberg recently shared insights into what Meta might be cooking up for their upcoming smartglasses, anticipated to launch later this year. Let me tell you, the details caught me off guard. Meta’s expected to debut a pair of glasses under the codename “Hypernova.” These aren’t slim like your usual Ray-Ban. Rather, they’re a beefier iteration featuring a single display intended for one eye. To keep them from obstructing your view, the visuals appear at the bottom of your field of view, urging you to glance downward for a peek. They’re operated using touch-sensitive temples or an accompanying neural wristband.
A notable upgrade is the camera, which is likened to the iPhone 13’s capabilities from 2021. Looking forward, Meta intends to roll out a dual-display version by 2027. This evolution seems consistent with the current trajectory of Meta’s smart eyewear. However, things take an unexpected twist thereafter. These new glasses aren’t associated with Ray-Ban but instead, branded strictly as Meta. Given the popularity of Ray-Ban’s stylish appeal compared to Meta’s less market-friendly image, it’s a puzzling decision.
Beyond the branding, another major shift is in pricing, with these glasses potentially ranging from $1,000 to $1,400. Such a hefty price tag is steep, particularly for a device primarily designed for viewing notifications and capturing media—features unlikely to justify that cost to the average consumer.
Realistically, aside from diehard Meta fans and tech enthusiasts, who typically splurges on cutting-edge gadgets? You guessed it—developers, eager to experiment with new technologies and leverage early market opportunities. You’d expect this to be a devkit, right? Wrong. Reports suggest app availability will be curated by Meta, similar to the current Ray-Ban Meta lineup, making it an impractical choice even for developers. Unless there’s a mistake in the report, it’s difficult to see who would be drawn to this device. Those keen on photos and videos can stick with existing Ray-Ban Metas, developers can explore more open alternatives like Brilliant Labs, and for handy notifications, a smartwatch suffices well. Collectively, these options still cost less than Hypernova’s projected price.
More insights can be found on Road To VR, Upload VR, and Forbes.
Other Relevant News
April Fool’s Shenanigans in the XR World
April Fool’s Day brought an extra sprinkle of humor to the XR scene this year! It wasn’t just a small group of us this time, but a delightful cacophony of pranks and jokes. As a quick summary: I jokingly announced the launch of Decagear, while Sebastian Ang of MRTV humorously claimed to be the new Pimax CEO. Ndreams teased Synapse 2 exclusively for Google Cardboard, and Voodoo DE showcased an imaginative futuristic device.
And beyond XR, tech pranks were in full swing—Razer had a standout gag, introducing the "Razer Skibidi" headset that humorously translates speech to the lingo of Gen Z and back. It might even prove useful for grown-ups diving into VR games like Gorilla Tag filled with energetic, young players!
My curated selection of top April Fool’s jokes is linked below.
Will New U.S. Tariffs Hike Up Headset Prices?
I’m writing this as global stock markets reel from the latest U.S. tariffs. It’s unclear if these measures are here to stay or simply a bargaining tactic. However, the implications could be significant for electronics, including XR gear. Companies sourcing components or manufacturing in Asia may see production costs rise, potentially leading to pricier products. Post-remaining stock, could we see the Quest 3S retail for $500?
It’s crucial to note, VR headsets aren’t essentials—they’re luxuries. Their appeal largely hinges on affordability, which has driven the Quest series’ success. Yet, even with enticing pricing, XR hasn’t entirely penetrated mainstream markets. Should costs increase, sales might dwindle, hindering XR’s growth during an already slow phase.
Hoping this is a temporary situation, considering its potential widespread impact.
Thanks to Rob Cole for some insightful links.
Noteworthy Mentions
Apple’s Vision Pro Update
Apple’s Vision Pro just received a substantial update with VisionOS 2.4, bringing several fascinating features:
- A comprehensive rollout of Apple Intelligence, offering text proofreading, rewriting, summarizing, and image generation tools.
- The introduction of Spatial Gallery, a curated collection of striking immersive media.
- A companion app, reinforcing the notion that Meta had the right idea here.
- Enhanced guest experience capabilities, allowing Vision Pro owners to configure guest modes via the companion app, and simplify mirroring.
More info is available on Road To VR and Upload VR.
Mixed Bag for Quest’s Performance
We’re in quite the paradox. While certain indicators suggest Quest’s ecosystem is thriving, others signal challenges. For instance, games like Gorilla Tag and I Am Cat are exceedingly popular, with Animal Company being the latest sensation, recently surpassing $100K in Quest Store revenues.
Conversely, some developers witness a diminishing market share amid numerous layoffs and dwindling investments in the Quest space. Although GDC revealed over $2B spent on the Horizon Store—a promising figure—it mirrors numbers shared over a year ago, hinting at stalled revenue growth possibly due to younger users gravitating toward free-to-play games.
For further details, check out our Quest-related links.
Challenges for Nintendo Labo on Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 dominated discussions and there’s unfortunate news for XR enthusiasts: its larger display means the original Nintendo Labo accessory isn’t compatible, and no plans for an updated Labo have surfaced.
PSVR 2 Eye Tracking Hack for PC
A developer by the alias “whatdahopper” has intriguingly unlocked PSVR 2’s eye-tracking support for PC. Meanwhile, iVRy, known for its PSVR 2-PC adapter, is on a similar path, with both parties now collaborating. Their efforts could make PSVR 2 the most affordable eye-tracking headset, beneficial for fans of VRChat and research initiatives alike.
More insights on these exciting hacks can be found below.
Quest Camera Access Brilliance
Every week, the Quest developer community never ceases to amaze. From voxelizing surrounding space to creating 3D voxel models of physical objects and tracking movements, the innovations are breathtaking. Highlights include:
- A demo voxelizing the user’s surrounding space.
- A prototype scanning real-world objects to produce rough 3D voxel models.
- A developer utilizing Quest to track a physical ball during gameplay.
- Another developer leveraging a webcam for a mixed-reality drone capable of snapping self-portraits.
Discover these inspiring projects through the links provided.
Thin Haptic Skin Research
Emerging research unveils a groundbreaking thin synthetic skin providing tactile feedback by inflating and deflating pressure points on fingertips, representing a promising—but distant—prospect for the market.
Explore more about this intriguing development.
The Ruff Talk VR Gaming Showcase
Ruff Talk VR’s YouTube channel has organized a delightful VR gaming showcase, spotlighting intriguing indie VR games. Several pieces of news mentioned here originate from their showcase, but you can watch it in full via the link shared.
Content Highlights
- Civilization VII VR: Debuting on Quest 3/3S for $60 on April 10.
- Velociblaster: Multiplayer fun with armed velociraptors.
- Train Sim World: Now appears on Quest for $32.
- REAVE: A new dungeon-crawler by the "Township Tale" team.
- Bearly Escape: Claw-machine puzzler launching on May 1st.
- Exer Gale: Arcade racing coming in June.
- Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition: Arriving on April 17.
- Half-Life: Alyx: A labor of love in progress for Quest 3.
For additional details on each, the respective links are available.
Reviews in Focus
- Pinball FX VR: A strong pinball experience with versatile machines, enriched by a cool mixed reality mode.
- Wanderer: Fragments Of Fate: Promising with solid puzzles but hampered by some gameplay issues and bugs.
- Hitman World Of Assassination for PSVR 2: Cer-tofficially confirmed as an enjoyable game by Upload VR.
For detailed reviews, relevant links are provided.
Other News Briefs
- ACE and SIG SAUER: Created a gun-shaped Quest controller.
- Squid Game VR: Generated over $30M in ticket revenue so far.
- Mocopi Pro tracking set: Praised in a hands-on GDC review.
- Virtual Desktop: Now supports virtual monitors on Mac with impressive quality.
- Motion Sickness Study: Children experience less motion sickness than adults today.
- HTC’s 9th Vive Anniversary: Celebrating 9 successful years.
Explore these news highlights further using the links included.
Partner and Friends News
A new startup named “Mixed Reality Tech” offers on-demand XR testing services, acting as a QA team to scope out bugs on various headsets. If you’re in need of comprehensive testing services, do reach out to them. Learn more via the link provided.
XR Fun Section
- 96° FOV to tackle motion sickness: Humor-focused insight.
- Programming humans using LLM prompts: Playful speculation.
- My future?: A lighthearted glimpse.
- Terminator vs. Human debunking in one step: Witty observation.
Follow the fun links for a good laugh.
Donate for a Cause
In solidarity, I urge you again to extend support to those suffering due to ongoing conflicts. Please consider donating to the Red Cross’ efforts in Ukraine. A massive thank you to my generous Patreon supporters for their unwavering backing:
Alex Gonzalez VR, DeoVR, GenVR, Eduardo Siman, Jonn Fredericks, and many more. Full acknowledgments included in the links.
Visit the Red Cross to show your support.
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Image courtesy of Razer.
