Although it’s not the most bustling time for the XR industry, this week had its moments, especially with some amusing April Fool’s surprises that added a bit of flair! We’ve got a roundup of this week’s intriguing XR news you won’t want to miss.
Highlight of the Week
Meta’s New Entry: Pricey Smartglasses
Bloomberg has leaked some intriguing details about Meta’s upcoming smartglasses, expected to hit the shelves this year. Codenamed Hypernova, these glasses resemble bulkier versions of Ray-Ban’s line but with Meta branding instead. They sport a single-eye display at the lower part of your vision, requiring a downward glance to check updates. You can control them via capacitive temples or their accompanying neural wristband. Interestingly, the camera tech is rumored to rival the iPhone 13. A more advanced version with dual displays is slated for release in 2027.
What’s surprising is Meta dropping the Ray-Ban affiliation, risking the fashionable appeal that, alongside Essilor Luxottica’s distribution network, contributed to their success. Even more puzzling is their hefty $1,000-$1,400 price tag, considering the glasses mainly handle notifications and media—features most smartphones can already manage without additional costs.
Without a significant consumer need, this product’s appeal might be limited to devoted Meta fans and tech enthusiasts. However, even developers might shy away, as Meta reportedly curates the available apps, limiting the freedom they usually seek in new tech.
April Fool’s Roundup in XR
This year saw an unexpectedly large number of playful antics across the XR community for April Fool’s Day. I teased the release of Decagear, while MRTV’s Sebastian Ang jested about becoming Pimax’s new CEO. Ndreams playfully suggested a Synapse 2 launch exclusively for Google Cardboard, and Voodoo DE shared a glimpse of a “futuristic” gadget.
Beyond XR, the tech scene joined in with jokes like Razer’s Skibidi headset, claiming to translate Gen Z slang to adults. It’s not only whimsical but also humorously practical for unexpected encounters in VR games jam-packed with Gen Z energy.
New US Tariff Concerns for Headset Pricing
Currently, the recent tariffs introduced by the US have struck a blow across global stock markets. It’s uncertain if these are temporary measures for negotiation leverage or here for the long haul. If they stick, manufacturers sourcing from Asia will see increased costs, likely pushing pricier headsets to consumers. Given that VR devices aren’t essentials but more of a luxury, any price hikes could stifle sales, challenging an already sluggish market. We’ll have to monitor how this unfolds and hope it’s a short-lived setback.
Noteworthy Mentions
Apple’s Vision Pro Upgrades
Apple has released VisionOS 2.4 for Vision Pro, rolling out features like text proofreading, summary capabilities, and image creation tools under Apple Intelligence. There’s also a new immersive "Spatial Gallery" and a companion app that enhances the guest user experience.
Quest Market Performance: Mixed Signals
While some Quest titles like Gorilla Tag and I Am Cat thrive, other developers face declining sales with increasing worries over financial constraints. Despite Meta’s report of a $2B spending milestone on the Horizon Store, it reflects stagnant growth from the prior year—indicating a shift towards cheaper, free-to-play games.
Nintendo’s Upgrade Dilemma
In gaming circles, talk of the Nintendo Switch 2 has heightened. Unfortunately for XR users, the Switch’s larger display means the old Nintendo Labo won’t function with the new console. As of now, plans for an updated accessory are absent.
There’s a buzz in the developer community as some work to make PSVR 2’s eye tracking PC compatible. Success here could make PSVR 2 the most affordable headset with this feature, potentially boosting research and specialized interactive projects.
Meanwhile, Quest developers continue to impress with creations using camera access. Prototypes include voxelizing spaces, 3D scanning objects, and even mixed reality drones capturing self-portraits—a testament to the ingenuity in the Quest dev community.
XR Innovations
Researchers have devised a novel haptic skin that mimics real touch sensations through inflatable points. While promising, it’s still far from ready for market deployment.
The Ruff Talk VR channel recently hosted an engaging VR showcase, highlighting indie games worthy of exploration. Dive into the showcase for a fresh look at emerging titles.
Games and Experiences
Several exciting VR titles are on the horizon:
- Civilization VII VR is coming exclusively to Quest 3 on April 10 for $60.
- Velociblaster, featuring multiplayer velociraptor action, is now open for wishlisting.
- Train Sim World debuts on Quest at $32, offering a rich train-driving simulation.
- Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition and the nostalgic Half-Life: Alyx adaptation are also notable mentions.
Reviews and Impressions
Pinball FX VR delivers a fantastic pinball setup with diverse tables, especially fun in mixed reality settings. Meanwhile, Wanderer: Fragments of Fate impresses with its puzzles but has room for improvement in combat and bug fixes. Furthermore, Hitman World Of Assassination has garnered favorable feedback on PSVR 2.
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