While it hasn’t been the most bustling time for the XR industry, April Fool’s brought a burst of excitement to our ecosystem this past week. Plus, we’ve had some noteworthy developments to discuss. In this roundup, I’ll delve into all the intriguing happenings in XR, ensuring you stay in the loop. 😊
Top News
Meta’s Smartglasses: Pricing Surprise
In a report by Bloomberg, we get a glimpse of what could be Meta’s plans for their upcoming smartglasses, set for release this year. To say the least, it’s not what many expected. Codenamed Hypernova, these glasses are essentially chunkier versions of the Ray-Ban Meta, designed with a single display for visual data in one eye. In an effort to keep your field of vision clear, these visuals sit at the bottom, requiring you to glance down. The glasses will feature controls via capacitive temples or a neural wristband and promise a camera comparable to the iPhone 13 from 2021. A dual-display version, one per eye, is anticipated for 2027, keeping with the expected evolution of Meta’s product line.
What might catch some off-guard is the branding: the glasses will solely bear the Meta name, ditching the popular Ray-Ban mark. This is puzzling, as the Ray-Ban branding was a key selling point, along with Essilor Luxottica’s distribution prowess. Another shocker? The price. These glasses are rumored to be priced around $1,000 to $1,400, a significant leap from what Ray-Ban Meta stood for—affordability. Given their functions primarily echo phone notifications and basic photo/video capabilities, it’s hard to justify such a hefty expense unless it sports an Apple logo, perhaps.
Such early-stage pricey gadgets usually attract tech developers looking to explore new hardware. However, Hypernova’s app ecosystem is reported to be tightly controlled by Meta, similar to the current Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which might put off even the developers. Fingers crossed, this report might have some inaccuracies because, frankly, it’s hard to see the target market here. Those wanting quality photography can already opt for Ray-Ban Meta, developers can choose more flexible smartglasses like those from Brillant Labs, and smartwatch users get ample phone notifications. All these combined could still cost less than a single pair of Hypernova glasses.
For more information, check these sources: Road To VR, Upload VR, Forbes.
Other Highlights
April Fool’s Pranks in XR
This year, April Fool’s wasn’t just me and a handful of my fellow jokesters stirring the pot; several others joined in to cook up some mischief on April 1st. Here’s a taste of the craziness: I cheekily announced the "launch" of Decagear, and Sebastian Ang (MRTV) humorously claimed he was taking over as CEO of Pimax! Meanwhile, Ndreams played with the idea of Synapse 2 for Google Cardboard, and Voodoo DE showcased a glimpse of an ultra-futuristic gadget.
Of course, it wasn’t just XR having fun; the entire tech world got creative. This year, Razer’s prank was top-notch, unveiling the Razer Skibidi headset, which hilariously promises to translate your words into Gen Z lingo and back. This seems like it could be genuinely handy for adults navigating games like Gorilla Tag, surrounded by shrieking kids! Dive into some of my favorite April Fool’s jokes using the links below:
Decagear and new Pimax headsets, Sebastian Ang, CEO?, VooDoo DE’s vision, Synapse 2 for Google Cardboard, VRCDN lawsuit, Walkabout Minigolf hilarity, Tech jokes 2025.
US Tariffs and the Impact on Headsets
Amidst a tumultuous week for global stock markets caused by new US tariffs, the future remains unclear. We’ll have to see if these tariffs are merely leverage for trade negotiations or here to stay. If they do persist, the ripple effects could impact electronic gadget prices, including XR headsets. U.S. companies reliant on Asian components may see their costs—bill of materials—rise, likely passing such expenses onto consumers. If projected prices escalate, as with the Quest 3S potentially hitting $500 post-stock, it might stifle sales. Historically, the Quest’s success hinged on affordability, a key factor since VR hasn’t yet woven itself into the mainstream. Increased prices at a stagnant moment could delay XR’s momentum even further, and that’s a concern for the whole industry.
For more insights: XR tariffs impact, Computers’ market effects, Chip tariffs lurking.
Notable Mentions
- Apple’s Vision Pro Update: Version 2.4 of VisionOS introduces Apple Intelligence enhancing text editing, spatial media, and refined guest experiences.
- Quest’s Mixed Signals: Despite some major hits like Gorilla Tag and Animal Company, Quest’s market is seeing declining revenues and layoffs, hinting at a slowing momentum.
- Nintendo Labo & Switch 2 Compatibility Issues: With a larger display, the Switch 2 isn’t compatible with original Labo kits, and no updates seem forthcoming.
- PSVR 2 Eye Tracking on PC: tinkerers like “whatdahopper” are unlocking PSVR 2’s eye-tracking for PC—a breakthrough potentially making it the most affordable option.
- Quest Camera Innovations: Developers are showcasing intriguing prototypes like voxelized environments, 3D object scanning, ball tracking, and mixed reality drones.
Stay updated with detailed info: Voxelization demo, 3D scan demo, Ball tracking demo, MR drone photo-capture demo.
Emerging Trends in Haptics and VR Content
Haptic Innovation: Researchers have developed a thin, synthetic skin capable of delivering haptic feedback through inflating/deflating dots, simulating tactile sensation. Though market-ready haptics are distant, it’s a promising start.
Check it out: More info.
Indie Game Highlights: Ruff Talk VR facilitated a fantastic showcase spotlighting VR indie gems. Among many emerging titles, Civilization VII VR exclusive to Quest, and the quirky Velociblaster stand out. Meanwhile, Train Sim World debuts on Quest, offering immersive train simulation for VR enthusiasts.
Explore further: Ruff Talk VR showcase.
Upcoming Releases:
- Civilization VII VR: Set for an April 10 release on Quest 3/3S at $60.
- Velociblaster: Wishlist on Quest for some dino-filled chaos.
- Train Sim World: Experience VR train driving for $32.
- REAVE: A new dungeon crawler from the creators of Township Tale.
- Bearly Escape: Launching May 1 for $14.99.
- Exer Gale: Arcade racing kicks off this June.
- Rival Stars Horse Racing VR: Arrives April 17.
- Half-Life: Alyx on Quest: Enthusiasts are bringing the classic to Quest 3!
For the latest game updates: Civilization VII, Velociblaster, Train Sim World, REAVE, Bearly Escape, Exer Gale, Rival Stars Horse Racing, Half-Life: Alyx.
Latest Game Reviews
Here’s a brief look at what’s capturing the attention of VR gamers and critics alike:
- Pinball FX VR: Offers exceptional pinball experiences with an innovative mixed reality mode.
- Wanderer: Fragments Of Fate: A fantastic puzzler with promise, needing tweaks for an optimal user experience.
- Hitman World Of Assassination: PSVR 2 adaptation confirmed to hit the mark with fans, delivering thrilling gameplay.
In-depth reviews: Pinball FX VR, Wanderer: Fragments Of Fate, Hitman PSVR 2.
Miscellaneous
- VR’s Answer to Misinformation: ACE and SIG SAUER’s new controller for Quest shapes up like a real firearm.
- Sandbox VR’s Squid Game: Over $30M in ticket sales—testament to its viral popularity.
- Positive Mocopi Pro Tracking Review: Don Hopper’s exploration at GDC gave it high marks.
- Virtual Desktop Enhancements: Now supports Mac, offering stellar virtual monitors.
- Children’s Reduced Motion Sickness: New studies show younger generations handle VR-induced motion sickness better than adults.
- Vive’s 9th Anniversary: Happy birthday, HTC Vive!
For more: ACE and SIG SAUER, Squid Game VR, Mocopi Pro, Virtual Desktop, Kids in VR, Vive Anniversary.
Partner Highlights
Mixed Reality Tech Testing Service: A new startup in the XR space offers on-demand QA testing for XR apps. If you’re in need of diligent testing services across various headsets, reach out to "Mixed Reality Tech".
Light-hearted Fun:
- 96° FOV Solution: Are you prone to VR motion sickness? Here’s a light take on a hilarious "solution"! Check it out.
- Humans in LLM: Amusing perspective on coding humans through LLM prompts. See more.
Helping Hands: As always, I’m humbled by and immensely grateful for the support from my dedicated Patreon community. Instead of personal donations, I kindly ask you to support the humanitarian aid effort in Ukraine through organizations like the Red Cross. Donate here.
A heartfelt thanks to my amazing supporters: A list of Patreon donors. Your support helps me maintain this blog filled with engaging content and insightful reviews. Plus, whenever you navigate through my affiliate links, rest assured that any commission I earn comes with genuine gratitude.
Stay innovative, stay inspired, and until next time!
