This week was jam-packed with exciting updates from tech giants like Apple, Meta, Google, and Valve. There’s a lot to cover, so I encourage you to stick around until the end because there’s a giveaway for an intriguing mixed reality game waiting for you! Also, don’t miss my latest piece on the XR ecosystem in China and my upcoming trip to Shanghai.
Top News of the Week
(Image by BigScreen)
Headsets May Dodge U.S. Tariffs
The current status of U.S. tariffs is convoluted, with shifts almost daily, making it challenging to determine their impact on XR headsets. Many companies seem to be in wait-and-see mode until there’s more clarity. However, Pimax and BigScreen have stepped up, promising to absorb the tariff costs instead of passing them onto consumers. While BigScreen aims to entirely absorb this cost, Pimax plans a partial offset, applying a $75–95 regional surcharge on its Pimax Super for U.S. customers. It’s a relief for consumers that companies are striving to keep headset prices stable. Luckily, there’s good news too; it appears that tariffs on XR headsets might have been fully lifted. Recently, the U.S. exempted most electronics from tariffs, likely to prevent astronomical costs on products like Apple’s predominantly China-manufactured iPhones. UploadVR has confirmed from reliable sources that XR headsets are on this exemption list, meaning prices for units like the Quest will remain unaffected. However, it’s still early to throw a celebration. We need solid confirmation that XR headsets are indeed exempt, and be cautious as the U.S. administration might introduce different tariffs on electronic chips, which could also impact our space.
Further insights await you on the potential tariff impacts from Pimax and BigScreen, as well as information regarding lifted tariffs on electronics and XR headsets.
Other News Highlights
(Image by Apple)
Apple Vision Pro 2 Could Already Be Underway, But AR Glasses Steal the Show
I was quite pleased when Apple launched the Vision Pro and put to rest the wild speculations that had floated around for years about an Apple headset. Yet, with time comes new speculation about the Vision Pro 2. There’s no shortage of theories, with each "analyst" offering different predictions that update every couple weeks. This week, there’s word from a Chinese magazine indicating that Apple Vision Pro 2 is already in production, with panels, shells, and other critical components being mass-produced by specific companies. Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple may be developing not just one, but two headsets: a Vision Pro refresh equipped with a stronger chip (possibly the upcoming M5), more affordable and lighter, and a tethered model for Mac providing a substantial virtual display. Personally, I find the latter a head-scratcher unless it’s significantly cheaper than the standalone Vision Pro. What really caught my attention from Gurman’s newsletter was the tidbit about Apple’s CEO Tim Cook prioritizing the release of AR glasses over Meta. The competition in the AR market is heating up, and it seems Cook is laser-focused on ensuring Apple leads. According to Gurman, AR glasses are “the only thing he’s really spending his time on from a product development standpoint,” which, if accurate, spells exciting times ahead for the AR ecosystem.
Explore more about the possible production of Apple Vision Pro 2, and the development of two headsets from both Upload VR and The Verge.
Valve Rumored to Build Components for Deckard
In some fresh intel, VR analyst Brad Lynch notes Valve’s recent imports of equipment to manufacture VR headset facial interfaces within the U.S. As Teleray Group, which supplied crucial parts for Valve Index and HP G2 Omnicept, provided this equipment, all signs point to it being for the new Valve Deckard headset. With this development, it seems Deckard might be inching toward the production stage, meaning we could see its release or an official announcement sometime soon. Rumors about Deckard have been gaining traction, making its potential launch this year quite plausible.
You can find more information about Valve’s production plans and check a new website that tracks Deckard’s launch over at the provided links.
Google and Samsung Eye 2026 for AR Glasses Release
Google and Samsung are teaming up to bring Android XR-powered devices to life. One such device, a mixed reality headset known as Project Moohan, is rumored for a launch later this year. Meanwhile, exciting developments for XR glasses are also in motion. Initially intended for release this year, an updated report reveals that the glasses are now delayed to 2026 due to significant upgrades, moving away from a Ray-Ban Meta clone towards a more advanced model incorporating displays, cameras, and AI elements. This strategic shift is probably to align with Meta’s anticipated release of glasses featuring a display later this year, making it a smart move for Google to avoid underwhelming launches.
Dive deeper into Google’s and Samsung’s future plans for AR glasses.
AltspaceVR Comes Back to Life
The week’s biggest surprise? AltspaceVR is making a comeback. A Reddit post revealed that developer Danny Mac (officially Danny McLellan) is behind the reboot. He has acquired Altspace’s name and logo and is rebuilding from the ground up using an open-source framework, Basis VR. His goal? To recapture AltspaceVR’s cherished communal essence and bolster it with creative tools for users. Currently in its infancy, many details about the project remain elusive. Yet, it’s heartening to see efforts to revive a platform with fond legacies in social VR. I’ll try to dig up more information on this and, if I do, you’ll read it here first. So, if you haven’t yet, subscribe to my newsletter to catch future updates directly in your inbox!
Sources for more on the AltspaceVR reboot include a Reddit post and their official website.
Noteworthy Mentions
(Image by Meta)
Meta Brings VR Entertainment to the Skies
Meta is rolling out its in-flight VR entertainment program to more airlines after a successful test with Lufthansa. Flyers in Business Class indulged in movies, TV shows, spatial videos, and games like Connect Four. The trial impacted over 4,000 customers positively, earning the 2025 APEX Award for Best Inflight Entertainment. Now, Meta is poised to expand this initiative, potentially making VR a staple of air travel entertainment, which could entice more people to try VR headsets and consider owning them.
More information is available on Meta’s plans to expand VR entertainment and on the award-winning partnership with Lufthansa.
Varjo Steers Clear of Consumer Markets
Varjo, a titan in Finnish AR/VR tech, indicates a narrow focus shift to B2B markets, especially in military and aerospace training. The company’s Chief Product Officer shared that returning to the consumer market seems improbable, although never say never. They’re savoring success in enterprise solutions currently.
Find more details on this update.
Pico Launches a Waist Tracker
Pico, under ByteDance’s umbrella, introduced the Pico Motion Tracker Waist Version for €50/£40. This single tracker enhances full-body tracking precision beyond the regular ankle setups, promising more immersive experiences.
Additional information is available regarding Pico’s latest release.
Exploring Text Input in XR
A collaboration among universities has birthed the XR TEXT Trove, a rich repository cataloging over 170 XR-specific text entry techniques. This initiative serves as a boon for researchers and UX designers focusing on XR usability advancements.
More insights into this project await you.
Horizon Worlds Now Indelible
Meta stirs complaints by making Horizon Worlds non-removable, despite dissatisfaction with its prominence in headset recommendations. Furthermore, Meta’s recent update includes a unique device identifier intended for better ad targeting on Horizon OS, stirring further user irritation. One wonders how far this approach will go before inciting user backlash beyond mere complaints.
For more information click here.
A Revolutionary Approach to Motion Sickness
Exciting developments from researchers indicating that a unique 100 Hz sound frequency, targeting the inner ear, may reduce motion sickness. This discovery opens new doors for improving user comfort in VR environments.
Find more intriguing details.
Meta Quest 3S Discounts for Spring Sale
Sweetening the Spring Sale, Meta has lowered prices on the Quest 3S. Until April 26th, the headset is available at $270 for 128GB and $370 for 256GB. Despite being a touted success, one wonders if lukewarm post-holiday sales prompted this discount.
Discover more about this limited-time offer.
Content Updates
Here’s a quick rundown of new content:
- ‘Besiege’ storms Quest in May.
- Dimensional Double Shift exits open beta; first paid DLC dives into Texas-inspired settings.
- FastHands introduces parkour thrills with a unique hands-based movement system this May.
- ‘GORN 2’ arrives on Quest & PC VR on April 17, with PSVR 2 on deck this summer.
- Combat Waffle’s sandbox shooter Silent North debuts for Quest and PC VR at $20.
- FRENZIES moves out of early access, excluding PSVR 2 plans.
- Starvault VR, a sci-fi fantasy 5v5 FPS MOBA, is in development for Quest.
- Walkabout Mini Golf integrates 6 DLC courses into its base game; price hikes to $25 on May 1.
- A dubious Microsoft Flight Simulator replica topped PlayStation VR2 charts in Europe, fourth in the US.
- Stilt, a first-person platformer, is now 90% off on the Meta Horizon Store.
- Placid Plastic Duck VR delivers an endless array of ducks.
- Civilization VII VR launches on Quest 3 & 3S for $60, though some users report stuttering issues.
Content Reviews
- Beatable receives acclaim for its innovative use of a desk for hand haptics.
- The Midnight Walk shines with its innovative graphics, transforming 700 physical models into game characters.
- Train Sim World VR offers a balance of realism and accessibility for new VR users.
- Crystal Commander enters mixed reality with strategic gameplay, albeit as a lightweight offering.
- Aces Of Thunder promises a solid WW2 flight sim experience.
- Harpagun shines as a smasher-shooter with an engaging story, albeit needing tweaks.
Additional Updates
- DaVinci Resolve 20 can now edit Apple Immersive Video.
- Hyperfy emerges as a robust world-creation platform, driven by a WebXR engine.
- Daniel Eckert embarks on a series examining enterprise VR challenges.
- Following the IVAS, the U.S. Army announces the Soldier Borne Mission Command AR project.
Partner and Friend News
There’s a sweet giveaway in store! "Alex And The Jets," a playful MR game, brings you thrilling dogfights right in your living room, with AI-driven planes aware of your walls and floors for an immersive experience. You might even score it for free if you’re quick to redeem one of two Quest codes:
G7M33-Q4NPJ-KWPXW-G7GHM-GA7Y6
G9YW7-NW9R4-N974K-MEQHQ-TG793
XR Fun
- The joys of vibe coding: a humorous tale [Funny link].
- A whimsical meme, courtesy of AI [Funny link].
- Understanding Meta’s legendary “invention” of MR [Funny link].
- How to pivot towards becoming an AI influencer [Funny link].
Hope in Action
In this week’s closing note, I’m encouraging support for those affected by the ongoing conflict. Please consider contributing to the Red Cross efforts in Ukraine. You can find the link to donate below. I deeply appreciate my Patreon supporters for their continued support:
Explore and support the Red Cross in Ukraine here.
(Header image by Pimax)
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