Whoa, summer’s still in full swing, huh? Hope you’re soaking it in, maybe with a lemonade or whatever. Anyway, XR news is buzzing, so buckle up for the juicy bits I stumbled upon this week. Oh, and did I mention a BEATABLE giveaway is in there too? Sweet.
Top bits
Alright, kicking off with some brainy finds – Luna’s been snooping around Quest’s future tricks, rounded up in a tidy spot on Upload VR. The headliners? Right, here goes:
Horizon Home’s makeover – Like, poof, the static home, gone. Welcome to a vibin’ new space—social, dynamic, and basically Horizon Worlds’ cool cousin. Throw in some portals, 2D windows you can share (if that’s your jam), and those pinned apps. Yay?
Horizon Worlds’ revamp – The central plaza’s getting all fancy, UI on the smooth level. Imagine, from your cozy corner, catching glimpses of the faraway skies, like connecting dots between your crib and the adventures out there. Nice touch.
Events Arena drop – A legit arena for events. Sounds grand, right? Mark the day, Meta’s rolling out Horizon Photoreal too. Picture this: capture some place with your phone through Meta Horizon, toss it in Photoreal, and BAM, social media of places. Seen it coming? Me neither.
Yet, hey, take this all with a pinch of salt. Luna’s finds might hit the Meta Connect list, or they might just vanish. Who can tell?
Other spicy notes
Brilliant Labs’ new specs – July 31st, 10 am PT. Mark it. Those new smartglasses are dropping. For context, think of past wins like Monocle and Frames. Bobak Tavangar will spill more on Reddit’s /r/augmentedreality… same day. If you dig open AI ecosystems, these might pique your interest.
Sharp’s quirky VR gadget – Oh boy, Sharp’s tossed out a VR controller prototype that nobody thought they wanted. Picture a glove morphing with a controller. Fingers aren’t tracking sensors, but tactile wonders… gotta see to believe.
Meta’s wristband gossip – Meta dropped some deets on the EMG wristband, y’know, that thing playing buddy to future glasses. Watch those gestures in the video: write, rotate, swipe… thumb dances. Feels organic, like muscle memory.
Google’s tricky prototype – Rumors twirling around Google’s smartglasses at TED and I/O using Raxium microdisplays. The hurdle? Raxium’s pesky 1% yield. Commercial dream or just showpiece? Stay tuned.
Games & Gadgets
VR Games Showcase return – August 12th, note it down. Stargazers rejoice: expecting some eye-popping headlines from Forefront, Reach, and Flat2VR. And there’s a pre-show stop, "XR Indies & Friends" – don’t miss those hidden gems.
Pico’s Summer bargains – Pico headset users, wallets ready? With discounts up to 50% until August 10, it’s a shopper’s paradise.
Putt Window gaming twist – Quest 3 has this game now where you mash mixed reality with your golf gear. Toss your real putter, golf ball, and play a virtual course. But hey, steer clear of your mom’s favorite vase.
Some more? Why not?
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Dungeon Full Dive’s farewells – Another studio bites the dust… TxK Gaming Studios is signing off. Yet, a classy move—making their $50 GM Edition free. Bittersweet, really.
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Eldramoor’s Kickstarter finale – Raised $170K, but is that enough? Lessons still loom, the market’s a beast; dream big, but fund bigger.
- Meta Quest tunes & highlights – Billie Eilish recorded in 180° 3D, Rec Room’s got AI buddies, Beat Saber’s shock-dropping sounds, and Spotify’s web magic landing on Quest. Busy times, huh?
Tech Tidbits
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Xiaomi AI glasses review – Mind DanniVR’s insights.
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VR File Manager’s hacking ease – No dev mode fiddling, just sideload those APKs.
- Pimax’s enticing discounts – Got a Crystal Light offer if you’re toying with switching headsets.
Whew! That was a whirlwind. Anyhow, remember to check out the BEATABLE stuff or dive deeper into XR’s fantastic rabbit hole through those links. And hey, while roaming ’round the net, maybe peek at the Red Cross donation link? Some good karma never hurt anyone, right? Keep exploring, tech adventurers!
