What a great way to wrap up March! The sun is shining, I’ve just wrapped up a project, and now seems like the perfect time to dive into this week’s hottest news in AR and VR. Oh, and there’s also a quick nod to the Studio Ghibli AI buzz that’s been making waves…
This Week’s Headlines
Samsung’s XR Glasses by Year-End?
A report from Korean magazine ETNews hints that Samsung might drop some surprise XR glasses later this year. While specifics on whether these are AR or just smart glasses are vague, they promise comfort and the tech to track users and their surroundings using built-in cameras and sensors. The project’s codename, "Haen," translates to "coast" in Korean. Given Samsung’s past hints at XR developments, it looks like they’re about to make a splash.
Vivo Joins the XR Fray
Not to be outdone, Vivo has teased us with its upcoming mixed reality headset simply named "Vision." With a striking resemblance to the Vision Pro, even down to the name, it’s expected to be fully revealed in mid-2025. Another key player entering the XR race is always welcome!
Meta’s Quest for Media Dominance
Reflections from GDC continue to ripple through the community. An interesting note I came across recently is how Meta’s Quest is seeing a rise in use among mainstream adults, especially those not identifying as die-hard gamers. They use their headset predominantly for entertainment, likening it to a fancy TV for watching movies and sports. Meta predicts that by early 2027, this group will be significant within the ecosystem, which could shift the emphasis for future device optimizations and content offerings away from traditional gaming. It’s a fascinating dynamic, especially for developers wondering where best to focus their efforts amidst shifting industry trends.
Mark Your Calendars
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off on June 9, where we might see visionOS 3 in action, loaded with new features for Vision Pro. Sadly, it coincides with AWE, so choices have to be made!
Pimax Crystal Super Shipping Soon
Pimax’s high-res, wide-FOV headset will start shipping on April 7. After much anticipation, seeing this deliver on time is fantastic news for fans.
Snag a Deal During PlayStation Spring Sale
Sony’s current Spring Sale, running through April 23, features thousands of titles—including over 60 PS VR2 games such as "Alien: Rogue Incursion" and "Metro Awakening." It’s a good excuse to expand your game library!
WebXR in the Spotlight
The Polys honors the best of WebXR once again. Celebrating its fifth edition, this event shines a spotlight on promising technology with enormous potential. Kudos to the organizers for supporting this exciting field.
Where are Valve’s Fabulous Titles?
David Heaney questions why Valve, with its resources and reputation for quality VR experiences, hasn’t contributed more recently to VR content. Given its success with ‘Alyx’ and the ability to benefit from game sales on Steam, it’s a fair query that not much noise has been made around their XR activity—or lack thereof.
Innovations Born from Camera Access
New capabilities with camera access are sparking creativity among developers. From copying real-world elements into VR to lighting virtual scenes based on your surroundings, to—I kid you not—applying custom filters to your vision, the ingenuity is inspiring.
Immersive Star Wars Adventures Ahead
ILM and Lucasfilm announce "Star Wars: Beyond Victory," a mixed reality experience exclusive to Quest platforms. Details are sparse, but podracing and mixed reality sounds thrilling.
Ups and Downs in VR Projects
Meta has pulled the plug on System Shock 2 VR, a move that aligns with rumors of the company cutting funds for certain VR projects. Additionally, the absence of a RoboCop VR title is a disappointment, with rights issues cited as the stumbling block.
Content Updates Galore
Games like "HARD BULLET" and "Elements Divided" are stirring excitement with fresh updates. Titles like "Onward" and "No Man’s Sky: RELICS" bring new gameplay elements and updates for a richer experience.
Opinions and Reviews
From Pinball FX VR’s impressive mechanics to the progression of Roboquest VR and the tactile fun of Boxed Out, gamers have plenty of new content to explore.
Major Moves in Music and VR
Infinite Reality has acquired Napster with a vision of creating a social music platform hosting virtual concerts—something that piques curiosity about the future of online music experiences.
Sneak Peeks and Innovations
Pico 4 Ultra’s update introduces an array of intriguing features like 3D photo conversion—exciting stuff for photography enthusiasts in VR!
Meanwhile, some XR insights from folks over at Upload VR about Holodeck-inspired systems and Mystery layoffs at Cyan raise eyebrows and questions about industry stability.
Community Highlights
From a Reddit discussion on adult XR content for women to Meta’s unveiling of an AI model able to convert images into 3D worlds, there are diverse topics and developments worth exploring.
Chrono Craft: A Bus Tour with a Twist
In Beijing, Chrono Craft offers a unique augmented reality experience, blending storytelling and technology within a physical bus tour—fascinating stuff!
Smile-Inducing XR Quirks
Check out some amusing moments online—such as all the buzz around Studio Ghibli’s AI humor, showcasing the lighter side of technology.
A Call to Help
As always, in challenging times globally, consider donating to the Red Cross to aid those affected by conflict. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference.
Thank you to all my generous Patreon supporters—your continuation allows me to deliver these insights and explore the ever-evolving landscapes of tech and innovation. For everyone clicking on those affiliate links: you’re an integral part of keeping this blog alive, and for that, I’m grateful.
Until next week, stay curious and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of AR and VR.
