Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR)

Burned by the privacy and security controversies surrounding its first take on AR/VR glasses, Google is resurrecting their consumer application with real-world trials by select testers. They will have strict privacy training and the glasses won't have imaging or videography abilities, as Google is preparing to take on the Apple Glasses device that may be released next year.

Samsung has proudly announced that its SmartThings Find network is now made up of at least 200 million devices (counted as individual "find nodes") worldwide. The OEM's Apple Find My rival has taken less than two years to grow to this extent. Its success is attributed to the release of the first-gen Galaxy SmartTags, which allow users to find things besides Samsung hardware through the service.

PSVR 2 is a virtual reality headset from Sony that is expected to feature a number of next-generation hardware features that include eye-tracking, a highly advanced lens system, an even wider field of view, and a refreshed design.

According to reports, Meta has settled on the name of a new VR headset. Although the device is no longer expected to arrive as the Quest 2 Pro, it will be the long-rumoured Project Cambria. The Meta Quest Pro could cost upwards of US$1,000 when it arrives this autumn, though.

It must be difficult to be a Google project, never knowing when the technicolour tech giant will inevitably pull the plug on you like it has for so many of your compatriots. Google's latest victim is the much-maligned Hangouts—which will merge into Google Chat—but let's have a look at some of the more interesting projects Google axed before Hangouts.

HTC has been hinting at the imminent launch of a 'Viverse phone' for some time, and has now made good on these teasers with the new Desire 22 Pro. The OEM asserts that it comes with internals powerful enough to run metaverse apps as well as visit virtual spaces. Then again, the same specs are hardly flagship-grade, although you wouldn't guess it from its starting price.

Mark Gurman claims that Apple will bring M2 series chipsets to the Mac mini, currently available with Apple M1. However, Gurman also believes that the Apple M2 will power Apple's inaugural mixed-reality headset, likely providing it with more horsepower than the Meta Quest 2 has.

TSMC has outlined its latest semiconductor technology during its 2022 North America Technology Symposium. N2 is in fact the next generation on from the "cutting-edge" N3 and N3E FINFLEX architecture, on which the highly-anticipated 3 nanometer (nm) processors rumored to dominate 2023 are to be based. However, TSMC claims that N2 will be even faster again with greater power efficiency.

Renowned tech supply chain analyst and tech leaker Ming-Chi Kuo recently shared a number of predictions regarding a new mixed reality headset from Meta that is expected to launch later this year. The new headset is allegedly slated to include a number of high-end features catering specifically to professionals and metaverse enthusiasts alike. Take a look at what to expect from what analysts are dubbing the “Meta Quest 2 Pro”.

Mark Zuckerberg has shown what VR-related projects Meta is currently working on. With at least four prototypes in play, Meta hopes to release a consumer device with better optics, improved depth of field and HDR support, among other changes.

The latest software update for the Meta Quest debuts an incredibly intimate medium for hanging out with friends in the metaverse, deep integrations for Windows 11, and more options for parental controls. Polish your headset lenses, strap in, and take a look at what’s new!

Nreal has announced that it will launch a Steam beta later this month for the Nreal Light and Nreal Air glasses. Not all Steam games will be supported, though DiRT Rally and the Halo series have been named as AAA titles available. The company has also revealed plans for AR Jam, a hackathon offering over US$100,000 in prizes.

The STEPVR Gates01 VR deck has been revealed. The cube-shaped device includes an omnidirectional treadmill and a harness to keep you centred as you moved. The gadget comes with a 4K headset and will be launched later this year. A similar, more compact device for personal use will be released early in 2023.

HTC has begun to tease the debut of a new device on its Taiwanese Facebook page. The product is to become part of the Viverse virtual reality (VR) ecosystem, even though it is also projected to be a smartphone. This possibility may or may not be backed up by an initial launch poster.

Apple has been rumored to launch its first-gen mixed-reality device (in the form of glasses or a headset) shortly. However, should all the leaks concerning its release have proven accurate, it would be on the market already. Now, a leading market analyst claims that its announcement has been pushed back due to production issues.

Qualcomm has announced that the Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform it has implemented to help engineers and creators make next-gen metaverse-type environments and products is ready for use. The OEM offers a compatible dev-kit made of Lenovo/Motorola hardware with 8 Gen 1 and XR1 silicon.

Apple’s 2022 MacBook Air is the main piece of hardware that multiple leakers expect to be revealed at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC22). Apple has issued an AR trading-card set that has offered clues of what might be shown off alongside obvious highlights such as macOS 13 Mammoth, iOS 16, and iPadOS 16.

ZOTAC has unveiled the latest generation of its VR GO PC at Computex 2022. It consists of a purpose-built form-factor that can be mounted on a compatible backpack shell (included in the box) for unencumbered extended reality (XR) gaming. Therefore, the user can go around with the GO 4.0's updates to a Tiger Lake platform and RTX graphics literally on them, although they will have to bring their own wired headset.

NVIDIA has come to Computex 2022 to show the latest Studio-approved PCs off, as well as what they can do with creator app from this OEM and its partners. They include the latest updates to Omniverse, a facility for 3D art or development, DaVinci Resolve 18, and the freshly-updated Studio Driver.

The IFA tech trade show is now set to return to an in-person format set in its traditional Berlin venue in 2022. The conference will take place at the start of September of this year. Its organizers are celebrating this announcement with early-bird prices on its tickets, although they are for only one of five of the event's scheduled days.

Qualcomm has released reference headsets based on its Snapdragon XR2 platform before; however, this new Smart Viewer stands out among them as it is wireless. The OEM asserts that its support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth results in minimal latency and an improved range. It also features micro-OLED panels for displays and a more streamlined form-factor.

The Meta Quest v40 update is now available. The latest software has various features for improved security and privacy, such as in-headset 3D secure payment abilities. Meta Quest is also testing optional end-to-end encrypted Messenger calling. Plus, the range of compatible Bluetooth keyboards has been expanded to include more Apple and Logitech models.

KATVR has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the KAT Walk C2 VR treadmill. The gadget has a waist harness but otherwise allows you to move freely in 360°. Improvements on the first generation device include improved stability and more effortless movement. The KAT Walk C2+ has integrated haptic feedback and a module that allows you to sit.

TCL CSOT brought its latest developments in display technology to preview at the Society for Information Display's (SID) San Jose, California expo. They include a new "360-degree" panel for foldable devices, a new "Real RGB" solution for new virtual reality (VR) products, and an 8K inkjet-printed OLED of unprecedented size. The OEM also announced its new 34-inch curved mini-LED display aimed at professional gamers.

With Meta allegedly slated to reveal four new headsets over the next two years, perhaps the most anticipated addition to the lineup is Project Cambria. The next-gen headset is expected to feature breakthrough mixed reality technology for productivity-oriented workflows. Take a look at what to expect from Meta’s premium mixed reality device.

Samsung has just previewed the latest in its storage solutions for hardware such as smartphones, tablets. The OEM has indicated that these new chips could help these devices use and transfer data up to twice as fast as their predecessors, while using as little as half the power. These new UFS 4.0-compatible chips could also boost portability in these products, not to mention their compatibility with more demanding use-cases, perhaps even VR/AR.

Wemax' success with its ~1-inch high Go portable projector allowed the brand to take it off Indiegogo and onto 'normal' sales channels earlier in 2022. Now, it has been able to do the same with the device's Advanced Edition. This model is the one capable of the series' highest-end specs, which include an estimated max brightness of 600 ANSI lumens.

EE has announced an exclusive partnership to bring Nreal Air AR glasses to its UK customers. The AR wearable will launch in the UK later this spring, with pricing and a list of compatible devices yet to be confirmed. The lightweight sunglasses-style gadget features an expanded Full HD virtual display up to 201-inch (~511 cm) in size.

Meta is opening a dedicated physical retail space in California on May 9th. Customers will be able to participate in interactive demonstrations of a range of Meta’s products, including Quest VR headsets, Portal and Rayban Stories. You will also be able to buy some of the company’s hardware onsite.

A couple of trademark filings made by Samsung Electronics to the WIPO indicate that the company is working on a new XR device. The gadget was also hinted at by CEO Han Jong-Hee at MWC earlier this year. Any new XR device from Samsung would likely join its Galaxy lineup and focus on multi-product connectivity.

Cardio Health has revealed the Metabike, a home exercise bike that allows you to play games as you workout. Smart pedals on the fitness device monitor your output and use this to power an avatar in a game, plus there are controllers built-in to the bike's handlebars. As you play and workout, you can earn Cardio Points that can be converted into Cardiocoin crypto assets.

It appears that Meta is considering expanding the functionality of Oculus Air Link for at least the Quest 2. Dubbed the VR Air Bridge, the USB adapter should minimise latency when wirelessly connecting the Quest 2, and perhaps even the rumoured Quest 2 Pro, to a PC.

One of the most prominent whistleblowers who highlighted Facebook's potential for detrimental effects on human society has voiced concerns of similar ramifications arising from the company's new focus: the metaverse. On that note, Meta is also now linked to plans for sales levies within a relevant platform, Horizon Worlds, that outdo even those found on the Apple App Store.

Meta announced that version 39 for the Meta Quest will be rolling out gradually over the coming weeks, enabling a new multitasking interface for all users, a brand new virtual space, and enhanced sharing capabilities for iOS users via the Oculus companion app. Take a look at what’s coming to a Meta headset near you.

The Pico Neo 3 Link is a mid-range VR headset that can be used with or without a PC. The VR headset offers a 90 Hz refresh rate, up to 4 hours of battery life and can even stream uncompressed video from a PC via DisplayPort.

The next update for Meta Quest devices, v39, has been announced. The update, which will roll out in the next few weeks, includes a new Home environment named Mountain Study. Other improvements include multitasking features which have moved from being experimental to general settings, and the ability for iOS phones to share VR content directly to a headset.

Lambda, a company known for building deep learning-focused PCs, and Razer have teamed up to release a new version of the Tensorbook, a slim laptop with machine learning chops. The notebook is packed to the gills with hardware designed for AI development, comes preinstalled with lots of Lambda's software, and has some solid gaming capabilities.

Reportedly, Apple will unveil major updates for all its operating systems at WWDC 2022 in June. Also, the company could even tease rOS, the OS for its mixed reality headset. Unfortunately, neither rOS nor the headset will be ready in time for WWDC 2022, though.

Sony and the investment company behind LEGO have each invested US$1 billion in Epic Games for the creation of a kid-focused metaverse. These injections come hot on the heels of a partnership between LEGO and Epic announced last week.

Reputedly, Meta has settled on releasing a new Oculus Quest headset this year. While not arriving before the summer, the so-called Quest 2 Pro will include changes like mini-LED displays, among other new features.

Mojo Vision is one of a handful of companies that operates on the hypothesis that the glasses for the augmented-reality (AR) experiences of today will eventually evolve into contact lenses capable of roughly the same thing. To this end, it has presented the latest version of its own futuristic lens that, while apparently functional, isn't fit to put on your eyeball just yet.

Is it a prank?...is it a meme?...or is it an opportunity to become a beta-tester for Razer stuff? According to a new page on the OEM's site, it's all of those things at once. The company has even made a video clip for its alleged "HyperSense" gaming suit for the metaverse in order to make its new initiative as fun as possible.

Qualcomm has unveiled a new program by which it will invest as much as US$100 million in developers or companies involved in the metaverse industry. The new fund is associated with other projects including Snapdragon XR Platforms, XR Labs Europe and the Snapdragon Spaces developer platform, the latter of which has also just been taken up by Square Enix as the studio works on its extended-reality (XR) portfolio.

The former COO of Nintendo, Reggie Fils-Aime, has said that he does not believe Meta's vision for the metaverse will be successful. In an interview with Bloomberg, they suggested that small businesses would drive the metaverse's future instead.

Oculus has revealed a new feature that will allow users to sync their Oculus Move fitness data with Android and iOS devices, including the Apple Watch. The tool will enable you to view your VR and real-world workout statistics in the same place.

HTC's VIVE is at SXSW 2022 to introduce its latest initiatives and projects in its main space, virtual reality (VR). This includes the announcement of its new metaverse platform for concerts, BEATDAY, to launch via the new Focus 3 headset. VIVE will also outline how it sees its VR tech fitting into other industries such as healthcare and smart-car UX going forward.

A new report from Digitimes suggests that HTC hasn't abandoned the smartphone market just yet. In April 2022, the company will reportedly launch a flagship Android smartphone that will be integrated with the metaverse.

Oppo will start selling the Air Glass on March 3, its AR glasses that run on the Snapdragon Wear 4100. The Air Glass will retail for CNY 4,999 (~US$792), although it remains unknown if Oppo will launch the device globally.

A YouTube leaker has suggested that the launch date of the PS VR2 headset could be pushed back to 2023. They cite the lack of PS5 consoles, which will power the VR experience, as the reason for the delay.

Qualcomm has come to the 2022 Mobile World Congress (MWC) to assert that it will be first to market with its commercially-ready FastConnect 7800 subsystem. It is rated to confer Wi-Fi 7 on a given device, delivering max speeds of nearly 6Gbps with bandwidth that might support uses from 4K video streaming to VR gaming - possibly even simultaneously.