XR Weekly Roundup (March 31, 2025): Samsung Potentially Debuts XR Glasses, Vivo Introduces Vision Headset, and More!

As March closes out, I’m enjoying a gorgeous day and wrapping up a project, which seems like the perfect moment to dive into the latest buzz in AR and VR. And yes, we’ll touch on the “Studio Ghibli” AI mania too…

This Week’s Highlights

(Image sourced online)

Samsung’s Potential XR Glasses Unveiling

Word on the street, or more precisely from the Korean publication ETNews, suggests Samsung might be gearing up to launch XR glasses later this year. While specifics remain hazy—like whether these will be AR glasses or smartglasses—it’s expected they’ll be contoured for comfort, equipped with cameras and sensors for tracking users and their surroundings. They’re operating under the codename Haen, translating to “coast” in Korean. This isn’t Samsung’s first foray into XR glasses, so something intriguing is brewing. If they roll out this year alongside Project Moohan (MR headset) and Haen, 2025 could mark a grand comeback for Samsung in the XR scene.

Find out more: [Samsung XR glasses on Road To VR] or [Samsung XR glasses on Android Authority].

Major Announcements

(Image courtesy of Vivo)

Vivo’s Vision Headset

Vivo, primarily known for its smartphones, is jumping into the mixed reality arena with the announcement of its upcoming headset. Although they haven’t divulged much, and the headset’s design seems to nod heavily to the Vision Pro, name included, the official reveal is slated for mid-2025. It’s another major player entering the XR game.

Meta’s Next Steps in the Quest Ecosystem

Previously, I shared insights from Chris Pruett’s GDC talk, emphasizing the shift towards free-to-play in the Quest ecosystem largely driven by younger users. A new Meta blog post echoes similar thoughts but also highlights a rising trend: a growing demographic of mainstream adults using their headsets for media rather than hardcore gaming. These users, distinct from die-hard VR gamers, see headsets as a premium extension of their TVs, favoring high-fidelity movie experiences over games. If Meta’s projections hold, by 2027, this group will significantly influence the platform. This shift hints that the Quest 4 could be tailored more for media consumers, positioning it against Apple’s Vision Pro with a focus on movie optimization and content investment. As a developer, this makes the terrain tricky to navigate—balancing content investments against the whims of evolving market trends and platform focus remains a challenge.

Quick Mentions

(Apple’s Image)

WWDC Set for June 9

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off on June 9. There’s buzz about unveiling visionOS 3, boasting innovative features for the Vision Pro. Unfortunately, it collides with AWE, making it tough to juggle both events for enthusiasts.

Pimax Crystal Super Coming April 7

Pimax is set to ship its Crystal Super headset on April 7. Known for its wide field of view and high resolution, it’s promising to see Pimax meeting its timelines.

Check more: [Pimax Crystal Super shipping update] or [VooDoo’s hands-on].

PlayStation Spring Sale Alert

Until April 23, Sony’s Spring Sale is slashing prices on thousands of PlayStation games, including over 60 PlayStation VR2 titles like "Alien: Rogue Incursion" and "Metro Awakening.” Time to snag some deals!

Spotlight on WebXR at The Polys

The Polys awarded its 5th edition prizes, celebrating excellence in WebXR—a promising yet emerging tech. Kudos to the organizing team for spotlighting such innovation. Discover the winners: [More info].

Where’s Valve?

An editorial by David Heaney questions Valve’s silence in the XR space post-Alyx, suggesting missed opportunities for leveraging its resources and Steam presence to bolster VR content. Given its reputation, Valve might escape scrutiny, but the critique feels timely.

Creative Camera Use on Quest

New camera access on the Quest is inspiring creative experiments. From real-world element copy-pasting to dynamic lighting for virtual elements, developers are pushing boundaries. I even joined the fun, crafting a system to apply filters to your view while maintaining depth perception.

Explore these innovations: [Copy-paste world], [Dynamic lighting], [3D image filters].

Key Content Developments

• ILM and Lucasfilm’s upcoming "Star Wars: Beyond Victory," exclusively for Quest and Quest 3S, promises a mixed-reality podracing experience.
• "Hitman World of Assassination" released for PlayStation VR2, garnering positive feedback.
• Meta’s cancellation of "System Shock 2 VR" and an array of other projects indicates shifts in their content strategy, sparking concerns among developers.

Upcoming Titles and Updates

• "HARD BULLET" shooter sandbox hits Quest 3 this spring.
• "Orion Drift" introduces ‘Capture the Beacon’ in its latest update.
• "Elements Divided," inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, launches on April 23rd.

Reviews Round-Up

• "Pinball FX VR" brings an authentic MR/VR pinball experience with arcade controls compatibility.
• "Boxed Out" blends Tetris-like puzzles with a balance of complexity and accessibility, making it a reviewer favorite.
• "Final Fury" presents an exciting fighting game with an immersive embodiment.
• A sneak peek at "Roboquest VR" hints it’s shaping up to be a successful adaptation of its flat-screen version.

Additional Tidbits

• Infinite Reality’s $200M acquisition of Napster to establish a social music hub.
• Horizon OS on Quest may soon offer 2D window sharing capabilities.

Support a Good Cause

This week, instead of asking for blog support, consider donating to the Red Cross to aid those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Your help can make a difference. Special thanks to my Patreon supporters:

[Red Cross Donation Link]

Image Header by Vivo

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