This week in the XR realm might not be teeming with activity, but there were definitely some exciting tidbits worth discussing. April Fool’s Day brought a wave of unexpected announcements and plenty of laughs to our ecosystem. So, let’s dive into this week’s highlights to ensure you stay informed about all things XR!
Main Highlight of the Week
Meta’s New Smartglasses: A Pricey Innovation?
Bloomberg has given us a glimpse into Meta’s plans for its soon-to-launch smartglasses, and there’s a lot to unpack. Codenamed "Hypernova," these glasses are expected to be a bulkier version of the Ray-Ban Meta, featuring a single display that places visual information into your lower field of vision, requiring a small glance downward—a thoughtful touch for minimizing distractions. Users can control the glasses through capacitive touch on the temples or with an accompanied neural wristband. Additionally, a noteworthy upgrade in the camera department is anticipated, potentially comparable to the iPhone 13 camera.
What stood out most was the decision to remove the Ray-Ban branding in favor of Meta’s own. Given Ray-Ban’s stylish reputation, it’s a strange choice that could eliminate two of the key appeals of the Ray-Ban Meta: the brand itself and Essilor Luxottica’s distribution reach. To complicate things, the rumored price of $1000 to $1400 seems steep, especially since these glasses mainly act as an extension of your phone—displaying notifications and taking photos or videos.
It’s intriguing—probably attracting Meta fans and hardcore tech enthusiasts first. And you’d think developers would be rushing to snag a pair to get a jumpstart on new tech. Yet, according to reports, any apps available will be curated by Meta, dampening that excitement. Keep those grains of salt handy; I hope these leaked details aren’t entirely accurate. Otherwise, who’s going to flock to these glasses when cheaper, more practical alternatives exist?
Other News Making Waves
April Fool’s Fun in the XR Sphere
It was a delightful change of pace to see so many entering the spirit of April Fool’s. I rolled out the announcement of the Decagear, while Sebastian Ang of MRTV jokingly declared his new role as CEO of Pimax. Meanwhile, Ndreams teased Synapse 2—built only for Google Cardboard—and Voodoo DE hinted at a futuristic gadget. Beyond XR, companies like Razer also joined the fun, advertising the Razer Skibidi headset, claiming to translate adults’ speech into Gen Z lingo—perfect for those noisy Gorilla Tag sessions! Check out my picks for top April Fool’s gags below!
Economic Concerns Impacting XR
U.S. Tariffs: A Problem for Headset Prices?
As I write this, we’re seeing a rough Monday in global stock markets, triggered by new U.S. tariffs. It’s unclear if these will last or are just a bargaining chip. Should they stick, electronics, including XR headsets, might see a price spike. Components sourced from Asia could jack up production costs, which often trickles down to consumers.
Given that XR headsets are more luxury than necessity, their sales are especially sensitive to pricing. The Quest 2’s success hinged on its affordability, so a price hike could slow XR’s already halting stride into mainstream adoption. Let’s cross our fingers this is a temporary hitch.
Bits and Bobs Worth Mentioning
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Apple’s Vision Pro Gets an Upgrade: VisionOS 2.4 now empowers users with Apple Intelligence tools—proofreading, text rewriting, and even some image generation capabilities. It also introduces Spatial Gallery and a stronger guest-user experience.
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Quest’s Rollercoaster Ride: Mixed messages are circulating about the Quest ecosystem. On one hand, games like Gorilla Tag and Animal Company are smashing records. Yet, some developers face diminishing returns, and market cash flow is seemingly drying up. Despite $2 billion in reported spending since last year, it’s clear the pace is slowing.
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Nintendo Labo’s Compatibility Issues: With the bigger display on the upcoming Switch 2, previous Nintendo Labo kits won’t fit—and there’s no news of a redesigned version.
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PSVR 2 Eye Tracking for PCs: Dev "whatdahopper" and iVRy are working to unlock PSVR 2’s eye-tracking on PC. If successful, it’ll be the most affordable headset with this feature, enticing for VRChat users and research institutions alike.
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Groundbreaking Work with Quest Cameras: Community ingenuity with Quest’s camera access continues to impress. Recent prototypes include voxelizing surroundings and tracking real-world objects.
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Innovative Haptic Skin Research: New super-thin artificial skin offers promising haptic feedback, though it’s not market-ready yet.
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VR Indie Titles Shine: Ruff Talk VR hosted a notable VR gaming showcase, spotlighting indie games. Upcoming titles range from clever novelty games to high-stakes adventures.
- Recent Game Reviews: Pinball FX VR shines with excellent cinematic depth, Wanderer: Fragments Of Fate has great puzzle design despite some needed tweaks, and Hitman World Of Assassination nails the gaming experience on PSVR 2.
Finally, amidst these tech tales, a heartfelt plea: extend a hand to those battling war’s harsh realities. Consider donating to the Red Cross’s efforts in Ukraine. A sincere thank you to my Patreon supporters who continuously enable my work—your generosity is truly appreciated.
You can help support those affected via the Red Cross donation link [here].
(Header image credit: Razer)
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Stay informed and keep innovating!
