Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR)

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.

Luke Ross has released a VR mod for Cyberpunk 2077, available via Patreon. The mod lets you experience driving and photo modes with head-tracking, 3D effects and more.

VR company holoride will use HTC Vive Flow glasses when it launches its in-car experience technology later this year. The entertainment merges XR with the vehicle's movements for an immersive experience without inducing motion sickness.

Congratulations on securing your Meta Quest headset and welcome to the metaverse. Believe it or not that’s not the cringiest thing you’ll hear this year. Just wait until your stepbrother tries to explain how he’s minting and selling NFTs in the metaverse even though he still cannot explain what blockchains are.

Design-wise, the PlayStation VR2 headset is taking quite a few cues from the PS5 console itself, while the hardware upgrades include a 4K HDR display with 90 / 120 Hz refresh rate and foveated rendering, plus haptic feedback, eye tracking and more.

Motorola has unveiled a neckband that features a mmWave 5G modem, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, various sensors and speakers. Relying on a 5,000 mAh battery, the neckband is intended to enhance the AR and VR experience on the go.

The European Union Court of Justice (or CJEU) has implemented a new law by which data pertaining to users in its jurisdiction has to stay there. Meta has taken issue with this, indicating that the measures are incompatible with the way it deploys Facebook and Instagram within the bloc. Therefore, the EU just might become more of a Meta-free zone soon.

Digital cameras are often the medium of higher-end online and social content, and are projected to get even more versatile and innovative as time goes on. Despite this, however, its market is now thought to decline by hundreds of millions of US dollars by 2025. This might be driven by fragmentation and competition from other device categories.

Volkswagen has finally previewed its new bus - the first of its kind to be electric. It has been revealed to have a design somewhat like the original's hallmark shape - however, it will be outfitted with considerably more up-to-date tech. They include an AR heads-up display, LED headlights and a new kind of wheel.

RedMagic, which has been building its brand of flagship Android smartphones over the last few years, now seems to have ambitions to expand its gaming ecosystem beyond this platform in 2022. The OEM is now slated to do so with its inaugural monitor, not to mention a VR headset, that might debut alongside the 7 series of mobile devices in the near future.

The latest software update, v37, has been released by Oculus. The update includes multiple productivity features and aims to ease the navigation of the environment.

MediaTek has confirmed that it is working to support the roll-out of Wi-Fi 7 already. These products are projected to incorporate new and upgraded specs for improved speeds and bandwidths compared to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. MediaTek aims to have its first examples of its new chipsets and components on the market by 2023.

Apple's upcoming AR/VR headset will feature an M1 Pro SoC, dual 8K displays, and advanced audio. The headset is likely to be priced around the US$2,000 mark, according to known Apple watcher Mark Gurman. Gurman also notes in his latest newsletter that the Apple headset will focus on gaming, multimedia, and communications. He even predicts a few possible names for the device including Apple Vision, Apple Reality, and Apple Sight.

Apple Glass, AR glasses that the company is rumored to be working on, may come with lenses that adjust to correct users' visual defects. According to a patent granted to Apple, multiple electrodes are used to adjust the physical properties of liquid crystal lenses, allowing the lenses to mimic prescription lenses.

AmazeVR, a virtual reality concert platform, has recently raised US$15 million in funding. The company’s first VR show with Megan Thee Stallion will be available in theaters in the US this year.

Mojo Vision has made two announcements at CES 2022; that it has received a further US$45 million of investment and that it plans to partner with several fitness companies, including Adidas Running. The company is working on a smart contact lens, which will overlay data onto the real world.

Sony will have a new virtual reality headset about five years after the PlayStation VR hit the shelves. It just previewed the PSVR2 features by tipping brand new Sense controller features, 'stunning visuals,' and an exclusive Horizon Call of the Mountain title written specifically for the PlayStation VR2 launch. Sony also released the first Horizon Call of The Mountain VR trailer, indicating that the PSVR2 launch is near.

Software developer praydog has released VR mods for Resident Evil 2 and 3 on GitHub. The mods allow you to play the games in first-person VR, with lifelike weapon action such as physical knife damage.