While the XR industry might not be bustling with activity right now, this week certainly brought some intriguing developments—quite a shake-up, thanks to the April Fool’s shenanigans. I’m diving into all the highlights for you, ensuring you stay updated on everything noteworthy in the realm of XR! 😊
Highlight of the Week
Meta’s Smartglasses Set to Impress and Confuse
Bloomberg recently shared insights about Meta’s smartglasses strategy for the year, and it’s a mix of anticipated and surprising elements. Their upcoming model, codenamed Hypernova, resembles a heavier Ray-Ban Meta version but comes with upgrades including a single display for one eye and an enhanced camera rivaling the iPhone 13. Visuals appear unobtrusively in the lower field of view, requiring users to glance down intentionally. Users can command the glasses via touch-sensitive temples or a neural wristband.
While the hardware developments seem expected, the branding choice is puzzling: these won’t bear the Ray-Ban name, but Meta’s. This decision could impact the glasses’ appeal since the Ray-Ban brand is a style icon, unlike Meta, especially when considering the pricing dilemma. Reportedly, these glasses could set buyers back anywhere from $1,000 to $1,400, which is steep for equipment primarily showcasing notifications, photos, and videos. Such a sum seems unwarranted unless there’s an Apple logo in the mix.
Generally, early adopters of such expensive gadgets tend to be developers eager to explore new tech. However, with apps being tightly curated by Meta, this market doesn’t seem catered to either. Ultimately, unless they turn the report on its head, it’s a mystery who this product will truly appeal to.
April Fool’s Antics in the XR Space
This year saw a surge in tech pranks like never before. For instance, I joked about launching Decagear, while Sebastian Ang of MRTV humorously claimed the CEO spot at Pimax. Meanwhile, Ndreams teased Synapse 2 for Google Cardboard, and Voodoo DE showcased a seemingly futuristic device.
A standout was Razer’s parody, the Razer Skibidi headset, which humorously ‘translates’ speech into Gen Z slang—a tip of the hat to those bewildered by youthful gamers’ linguistic choices.
Potential Tariffs Up the Stakes for XR Device Pricing
As international trade tariffs loom large, concerns are rising about their impact on XR headset costs. Should the tariffs persist, electronics, including XR headsets, might see price hikes. This is particularly troubling given that VR devices—though fascinating—remain a luxury more than a staple. With VR headset prices on the rise, the already lukewarm mainstream adoption might face significant setbacks.
Apple’s Major Software Update for Vision Pro Enhances Capabilities
Apple once again steps up its game with VisionOS version 2.4, rolling out new features for Vision Pro users. This update expands on proofs, rewriting, summarizing, and introduces image generation tools. Additionally, it brings Spatial Gallery, enhancing the visual experience with immersive media content. A new app also bolsters the Vision Pro’s versatility, alongside improved guest mode configurations.
Quest Continues to Evolve Amid Challenges
The Quest platform is in a strange place with mixed signals. Success stories include titles like Gorilla Tag and I Am Cat. Yet, some developers face dwindling market shares, and there’s decreased investment flow. Meta shared at GDC that the Horizon Store hit a $2 billion milestone; however, this figure remains unchanged from the previous year, suggesting a plateau in revenues.
Nintendo Switch 2 and XR Enthusiasts’ Disappointments
As the buzz around Nintendo’s latest console grows, it’s worth noting that the larger display of the Switch 2 means the old Nintendo Labo accessory won’t be compatible. Unfortunately, there’s no word yet on a Labo update to fit the new model.
PSVR 2 Eye Tracking May Soon Be PC-Compatible
Exciting news from the development world: a creative developer, alongside iVRy, is making strides in enabling PSVR 2 eye-tracking on PCs. If successful, this could make PSVR 2 the most economical eye-tracking headset, piquing interest from VRChat fans to researchers exploring eye interactions.
Community Prototyping on Quest Continues to Impress
The Quest developer community continues to astound with creative use of camera access. Recent demos showcase impressive capabilities like voxelizing your environment, 3D scanning of real-world objects, and an interactive demo involving tracking a physical ball during play.
Innovative Thin Haptic Skin
Research has led to an ultra-thin synthetic skin delivering haptic feedback. Currently tested on fingertips, it boasts the potential to simulate tactile sensations by applying adjustable pressures, paving the way for future practical applications.
For more insights on VR gaming updates, Meta’s tech endeavours, or how industry developments might affect you, feel free to click through the detailed discussions linked within this roundup.
In any industry, sharing a laugh or two is just as important as serious discussions. So while we navigate these developments, don’t forget to engage with some fun April Fool’s pranks or intriguing community innovations. Also, a warm reminder to extend support where it counts to those affected by global challenges. Thank you to all the patrons and supporters who fuel these explorations and discussions!
