The XR Weekly Roundup (March 31, 2025): Samsung’s Potential Launch of XR Glasses, Vivo’s Vision Headset Announcement, and More!

March is wrapping up, the sun’s shining, and with a project just delivered, it’s the perfect time to dive into this week’s hottest news in the AR and VR scenes. Oh, and let’s not forget about that buzz surrounding Studio Ghibli and AI…

Weekly Highlights

Samsung’s Potential XR Glasses Debut

It looks like Samsung is possibly gearing up to introduce some XR glasses later this year, according to Korean magazine ETNews. Whether these will be AR glasses or smartglasses isn’t clear yet, but they promise comfortable wearability, along with cameras and sensors to monitor users and their surroundings. Code-named Haen, meaning "coast" in Korean, these glasses have been a topic of speculation for some time, making it likely that Samsung has something exciting in store for us. And if both the Project Moohan MR headset and Haen XR glasses are announced this year, 2025 might be when Samsung returns to the XR scene with a bang.

Vivo’s Vision Headset

Vivo, a major player in the smartphone industry, is venturing into the realm of mixed reality headsets. While they’ve kept details under wraps, Vivo has previewed the design of what seems to be a Vision Pro lookalike—right down to the name. This new gadget, Vivo Vision, is slated for an official reveal in mid-2025. It’s great to see another big player stepping into the XR spotlight.

Shifting Trends in the Quest Ecosystem

There’s an intriguing shift happening with Meta’s Quest users. Chris Pruett’s insights at GDC highlighted an increasing focus on free-to-play games due to a growing number of younger users. While reviewing Meta’s blog, I discovered an interesting new segment emerging: mainstream adults who prefer media and entertainment on their headsets. These users, mainly men in their 30s, are looking for high-quality ways to enjoy movies and sports on their devices rather than identifying as core gamers. With Meta forecasting this group’s rapid growth by 2027, the next iterations of Quest might pivot more towards enhancing movie-viewing experiences, potentially setting up a showdown with Apple’s Vision Pro. It’s a reminder of the shifting sands in this industry where developers must stay sensitive to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics.

Quick News Bits

• Apple’s WWDC on June 9: Anticipation is building for Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, expected to unveil visionOS 3. However, it clashes with AWE, making it tough to follow both events simultaneously.

• Pimax Crystal Super Shipping: Pimax’s Crystal Super headset, boasting a broad field of view and high resolution, is slated for an April 7 release. It’s refreshing to see its timely launch.

• Sony’s Spring Sale: Sony’s PlayStation Spring Sale is ongoing until April 23, offering great deals, including over 60 PlayStation VR2 titles.

• The Polys Awards: The 5th edition of The Polys celebrated outstanding achievements in WebXR. This pivotal technology, though still maturing, holds tremendous promise.

Valve’s XR Silence

David Heaney penned an interesting piece critiquing Valve’s prolonged silence in the XR content space, especially post their last major title, Alyx, five years ago. Despite having the resources, Valve’s reluctance to produce more VR content—especially with their Steam ties—leaves many in the community puzzled. Why isn’t anyone holding them accountable? It’s a thought-provoking look at industry expectations.

Creative Uses of Quest’s Camera Access

Developers are tapping into the newly unveiled camera access on Quest, crafting impressive experiments. From copying real-world elements into the virtual space to adjusting virtual lighting based on camera input, the ingenuity is commendable. I even developed a system to apply filters to your vision without losing depth perception—check them out!

XR Content Developments

• Star Wars: Beyond Victory: ILM and Lucasfilm are crafting a new mixed reality game exclusive to Quest 3S, set to enrich the Star Wars universe.

• Hitman’s VR Release: IO Interactive launched Hitman World of Assassination on PlayStation VR2 as a DLC, receiving positive reception.

Unfortunately, Meta has halted funding for the VR version of System Shock 2, alongside other projects, reaffirming rumors about shifting investment strategies. The RoboCop VR game also faced cancellation due to IP rights issues.

Additional Content Updates

• HARD BULLET Heads to Quest 3: This spring, shooter sandbox HARD BULLET is coming to Quest 3. You can add it to your wishlist now.

• Orion Drift and Avatar-Inspired Games: Orion Drift got its first big update, while Elements Divided, inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, is set for an April 23 release on Quest and PC VR.

• No Man’s Sky and F1 25 Updates: The No Man’s Sky: RELICS update adds paleontology adventures, while F1 25 will debut on Steam with optional VR support.

Reviews, Reviews, Reviews

• Pinball FX VR: This brings the classic pinball experience to VR and MR, allowing use with arcade-style controls.

• Boxed Out: A Tetris-inspired puzzle game that balances complexity and accessibility beautifully.

• Final Fury and Roboquest: Final Fury promises an engaging combat experience, while Roboquest VR’s development hints at a promising adaptation.

Business and Tech Briefs

• Infinite Reality’s Napster Purchase: For a cool $200 million, Infinite Reality acquired Napster to launch a virtual concert platform. Where was this cash when I was pioneering virtual concerts?

• Quest’s Potential 2D Window Sharing: Quest’s Horizon OS might soon allow users to share 2D content with others, broadening its collaborative potential.

• Pico 4 Ultra’s Major Update: The recent update boasts new features, such as 3D photo conversion capabilities.

An Insightful Editorial from Jamie Feltham

In a recent piece, Jamie Feltham outlined his vision for an ideal XR ecosystem, packed with valuable insights about the future of XR platforms. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in where the industry is heading.

Stay Updated and Have Some Fun!

• Chrono Craft Innovation: Experience the fascinating world of Chrono Craft, which meshes physical tours with augmented reality storytelling on a bus in Beijing.

Light-Hearted XR Fun

• Ever wondered if giving robots human traits is a good idea? It’s hilariously explored in this link.

Lastly, if you can, consider supporting those affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine through the Red Cross. A heartfelt thank you to all of my Patreon supporters for their unwavering support.

Remember, every little bit helps in making a difference.

(Header image by Vivo)