The XR Weekly Snapshot (April 8, 2025): Meta's Potential $1400 Smartglasses, US Tariff Concerns, and More!

While the XR space hasn’t been bustling with activity recently, this week certainly brought a shake-up, thanks to some playful April Fool’s antics. And amidst the pranks, a few noteworthy developments have cropped up. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of all the exciting happenings in the XR world, ensuring you don’t miss out on any key updates.

Top News of the Week

Meta’s Upcoming Smartglasses Could Reach $1400

In an unexpected twist, a Bloomberg report has outlined what we might expect from Meta’s anticipated smartglasses, set to debut this year. These glasses, codenamed Hypernova, are essentially bulkier versions of the Ray-Ban Meta with a single display for one eye, positioned to keep your main view unobstructed. You’ll need to glance down to see notifications. They come equipped with capacitive temples or a neural wristband for commands. Plus, Hypernova’s camera could rival that of the iPhone 13. A dual-display version is rumored for a 2027 release, in line with expected advancements.

What threw me off, though, is the branding: these new glasses will not flaunt Ray-Ban’s name but instead carry the Meta brand. This seems puzzling since Ray-Ban’s style contributed significantly to the success of Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Also surprising is the reported price range of $1000 to $1400, a substantial leap for a device whose primary functions are displaying phone notifications and capturing media. Without a compelling use case, it’s hard to justify such an expense unless, of course, it bears a certain fruit logo.

So, who might shell out for these pricy specs besides Meta fans and tech aficionados? You guessed it—developers eager to tinker with the latest gear. But hold that thought: the same report suggests Meta will curate the apps, which stifles developer interest. Here’s hoping this report has its wires crossed because, frankly, the audience for this device seems limited. Photo enthusiasts can already opt for Ray-Ban Meta glasses, developers have other more open smartglasses options, and smartwatch owners already receive notifications at a lesser cost than the Hypernova’s anticipated price tag.

For more insights: Hypernova Report – Road To VR | Upload VR | Forbes

Other News Highlights

April Fool’s Brings Humor to XR

This year, the XR sphere enjoyed a hearty dose of April Fool’s fun. Unlike previous years where only a few of us joined in on the jokes, this time, more folks and companies leaped into the fray. I claimed to be launching the Decagear, while Sebastian Ang cheekily announced himself as Pimax’s new CEO. nDreams teased a sequel to Synapse, exclusively for Google Cardboard, and Voodoo DE unveiled a futuristic gadget.

It wasn’t just XR getting playful—across the tech realm, jokes abounded. Razer’s introduction of the Razer Skibidi, promising translation services for Gen Z speech, was particularly amusing, though I imagine it could provide real-world benefits for older gamers navigating the chaotic chatter of Gorilla Tag.

For a sampling of this year’s standout jokes, check out these links: Decagear and Pimax Hoaxes | Sebastian Ang’s Jest | Futuristic Preview by Voodoo DE | Google Cardboard Synapse 2 | Other Tech Pranks.

Potential Impact of New US Tariffs on Headset Prices

I’m penning this on what feels like a tumultuous Monday for global stock markets, sparked by fresh US tariffs. The full implications are still unfolding, but if these tariffs persist, they could pose challenges for the electronics sector, XR headsets included. American companies utilizing Asian manufacturing and components may face increased costs that trickle down to consumers. For instance, if Meta exhausts its current stock, the Quest 3S might see a price hike to $500.

Since VR headsets are more a luxury than a necessity, their success heavily hinges on affordability. The Quest series sold exceptionally well due to their competitive pricing, despite XR not yet hitting mainstream popularity. Should headset prices rise, it could further stymie XR’s growth, already lagging. Let’s hope this tariff situation resolves swiftly to prevent setbacks in our beloved sector.

Details: Tariffs Impacting XR Headsets | Effect on Computers | Future Chip Tariffs.

Noteworthy Mentions

Apple Unveils Advancements for Vision Pro

Apple’s Vision Pro just received a significant update with VisionOS 2.4, introducing exciting features like:

Apple Intelligence: Enhancements for proofreading, text summarization, and image generation.
Spatial Gallery: A curated collection of stunning immersive media.
Companion App: Further proof Meta was onto something, allowing effortless guest mode configuration.

Learn more: VisionOS 2.4 – Road To VR | Upload VR.

Mixed Success in the Quest Ecosystem

We’re witnessing a strange contradiction in the Quest ecosystem. Some indicators suggest it’s thriving, with massive hits like Gorilla Tag and I Am Cat, and Animal Company achieving significant sales milestones. Yet, other developers face declining market shares and financial challenges. At GDC, Meta announced over $2B spent on the Horizon Store—a figure unchanged from a year prior, indicating revenue stagnation. Perhaps it’s the influx of younger users gravitating towards free-to-play games at play.

Insights: Quest Revenues | Successful Titles | Animal Company Milestone.

Nintendo Labo Incompatibility with Switch 2

Switch 2 has been a hot topic, but for those of us in XR, there’s a downside: its larger display means older Labo accessories won’t work, and Nintendo currently has no plans for a compatible Labo for the new console.

More info here.

Engaging Developments in the XR Community

Making Eye-Tracking Possible on PSVR 2 for PC

A developer, known as "whatdahopper," has made strides in eye-tracking for PSVR 2 on PC. iVRy, famous for its PSVR 2 PC adapter, is collaborating, eyeing PSVR 2 as accessible eye-tracking tech for VRChat fans and research institutions interested in advanced eye interactions and rendering advancements.

More info: PC Eye-Tracking Unlock | iVRy Collaboration.

Fascinating Experiments with Quest Camera

Every week, Quest developers continue to surprise with camera-based innovations:

Voxelization: A demo voxelizing the surrounding space.
3D Object Scanning: Create 3D voxel models of real-world objects.
Ball Tracking: Following a physical ball during gameplay.
Mixed Reality Drone: A prototype drone that captures its owner’s photo.

Be prepared to be wowed: Voxel Environment | 3D Scanning | Quest Ball Tracking | MR Photo-taking Drone.

Breakthrough with Haptic Feedback

A recent research breakthrough introduces a thin synthetic skin that offers haptic feedback. It utilizes inflating and deflating dots to simulate touch on fingertips. Intriguing work, though commercial availability remains distant.

Find out more: Thin Haptic Skin.

Ruff Talk VR Gaming Showcase Highlights

Ruff Talk VR orchestrated a refreshing VR gaming showcase spotlighting some noteworthy indie titles. Read the next section for the latest announcements and click here to watch the showcase in full.

Upcoming Gaming Content on XR

Civilization VII: Exclusive for Quest 3 and 3S, launching April 10 at $60.
Velociblaster: A multiplayer game starring armed raptors—now available for wishlisting.
Train Sim World: Dive into VR train simulation on Quest for $32.
REAVE: A teased dungeon-crawler from the creators of "Township Tale."
Bearly Escape: A claw-machine puzzler launching May 1 on SteamVR and Quest 3 for $14.99.
Exer Gale: An arcade racer entering Early Access on Quest this June.
Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition: For horse enthusiasts on Steam and Quest starting April 17.
Recreating Half-Life: Alyx on Quest 3: A passionate, ongoing project with its first scene available as an APK for sideloading.

Content Reviews Worth Checking Out

Pinball FX VR: Delivers an engaging pinball experience with diverse machines, including a mixed reality mode allowing room integration.

Wanderer: Fragments Of Fate: Offers well-designed puzzles with heaps of potential, but still needs improvements in combat and bug resolution.

Hitman World Of Assassination for PSVR 2: Confirmed by Upload VR to be a solid entry in the hitman series.

Explore more reviews: Pinball FX VR – The Game | Pinball FX VR – The Tables | Wanderer | Hitman World Of Assassination.

Additional News Tidbits

ACE and SIG SAUER have created a Quest controller replicating the feel of a real firearm.
Squid Game VR Experience at Sandbox VR has surpassed $30M in ticket sales.
Mocopi Pro Tracking Set received positive feedback from Don Hopper at GDC.
Virtual Desktop now supports virtual monitor spawning for Mac.
Kids and Motion Sickness: A study finds they suffer less than adults.
HTC Celebrates nine years of Vive.

Partner and Friend Updates

Mixed Reality Tech Testing Service

I’ve connected with a fledgling startup founded by a familiar face in the XR space, offering testing services for XR applications. "Mixed Reality Tech" acts as your on-demand QA team, examining experiences on various headsets and compiling bug lists. For unbeatable testing support, engage with them here.

A Little XR Fun

96° FOV Solution: A comical take on conquering motion sickness. Funny Link
Human Programming: Imagine if people were programmed with an LLM prompt. Funny Link
Future Me: A glimpse at what’s ahead. Funny Link
Terminator Test: An amusing way to identify a human from a robot. Funny Link

A Gentle Reminder to Donate for a Good Cause

Instead of asking for support for my blog this time, I’m urging you to consider helping those affected by war. Please contribute to the Red Cross for aiding Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis. I extend heartfelt thanks to my Patreon supporters whose names are listed below. Here is the link to donate: Support The Red Cross in Ukraine.

Header image by Razer

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The XR Weekly Snapshot (April 8, 2025): Meta’s Potential $1400 Smartglasses, US Tariff Concerns, and More!