The XR Weekly Overview (March 31, 2025): Samsung Potentially Introducing XR Glasses, Vivo Unveils Vision Headset, and More!

It’s the end of March, a perfect time to bask in some lovely weather, celebrate a project delivery, and dive into the week’s most captivating AR and VR news! And yes, let’s also touch on the latest buzz surrounding “Studio Ghibli” AI.

This Week’s Highlights

Samsung’s Possible XR Glasses Reveal

Word from Korea’s ETNews suggests that Samsung might launch new XR glasses later this year. The specifics are hazy—are they AR glasses or smartglasses? What’s certain is they’ll be loaded with cameras and sensors, set to enhance user-environment interactions. Dubbed Haen, meaning "coast" in Korean, these glasses are not Samsung’s first foray into XR, but this could be a significant one. If both Project Moohan, a mixed reality headset, and Haen see daylight this year, 2025 could mark Samsung’s triumphant return to XR.

Vivo Joins the XR March with Vision Headset

Vivo, the smartphone titan, is stepping into the XR arena with its mixed reality headset, named—perhaps cheekily—the Vision. Revealed exterior only, the device is set to debut in 2025. It seems Vivo is taking aim at the competition by mirroring Apple’s Vision Pro’s branding. It’s a strong signal that yet another giant is eyeing a slice of the XR pie.

Meta Foresees Quest Users Flocking to Media

Chris Pruett’s GDC talk revealed that the Quest platform is trending toward free-to-play, partly due to a younger audience influx. This week, an article on Meta’s blog echoed this, highlighting a shift: More 30-something men are using Quest not just for games but to enhance their TV viewing experience. By 2027, this group could dominate, fueling a Quest evolution focused on media rather than gaming, perhaps drawing Meta into more direct rivalry with Apple’s Vision Pro. This could mean more movie-friendly features in the upcoming Quest 4. As a developer, this shift means thinking ahead—should I prioritize gaming content or pivot toward media experiences? Such market fluctuations pose quite the strategy conundrum.

Apple’s WWDC and Pimax’s New Gear

Mark June 9th for Apple’s WWDC, where rumors suggest visionOS 3 with new features for Vision Pro might be unveiled. It’s clashing with AWE, which is unfortunate timing. Meanwhile, Pimax’s high-resolution, wide-FOV headset, the Crystal Super, is ready to ship on April 7, adding another solid option for VR fans.

PlayStation Spring Sale and XR Awards

PlayStation’s Spring Sale runs till April 23, offering steep discounts on VR titles like Alien: Rogue Incursion and Metro Awakening. Meanwhile, The Polys, celebrating WebXR’s up-and-comers, has wrapped its fifth edition, spotlighting a promising yet underdeveloped technology—it’s a commendable effort to advance the space.

Valve’s Content Critique

Editor David Heaney calls out Valve for its sparse VR content lineup. Since the lauded Alxyx, Valve hasn’t released major XR games, even as it benefits from game sales on Steam. It raises the question—why the reluctance to fuel the VR engine? Awareness and critique seem selective given Valve’s strong community rapport.

Camera Access Creates New Possibilities

With Quest’s recent camera access, developers are crafting nifty experiments, like copying real-world elements into VR or dynamically lighting virtual objects based on real-world input. My own adventure in this space involves filters enhancing depth perception through VR. Ingenious ideas indeed—check them out!

Content News Highlights

Excitement brews as ILM and Lucasfilm team up for Star Wars: Beyond Victory, a mixed reality venture exclusive to Quest. Hitman World of Assassination’s PS VR2 release is garnering positive vibes, while Meta’s cancellation of System Shock 2 VR feeds speculation about its shifting VR priorities. In a disappointment, RoboCop VR’s promised development was halted over rights issues—an unfortunate oversight.

Upcoming Releases and Updates

There’s plenty to anticipate with HARD BULLET’s Quest 3 debut this spring and Orion Drift’s fresh mini-game addition. Plus, Avatar-inspired Elements Divided lands on Quest and PC VR soon, while No Man’s Sky adds paleontology in its latest update. Delight in Dystopian RPG Resist’s upcoming PlayStation VR2 release, and stay tuned for TimeLab VR’s evocative Hindenburg DLC.

Endearing Reviews

Pinball FX VR excels at bringing retro pinball to life in MR/VR. Meanwhile, Boxed Out cleverly merges complexity with accessibility, and Final Fury offers an immersive fighting experience. Roboquest VR is shaping up nicely, poised to become a standout adaptation.

Other Tidbits

Infinite Reality’s Napster acquisition intends to transform the music scene with virtual concerts. Quest Horizon OS’s future updates hint at shared 2D windows, and Pico 4 Ultra’s latest runtime boosts convince with 3D photo conversions. Despite layoffs, Cyan continues to intrigue with potential developments in XR.

Partner and Friend Updates

Explore the brilliant Chrono Craft, a unique experience through Beijing that blends storytelling with augmented reality, enhancing the historic Yuanmingyuan Park.

A Touch of Humor

As robots become more lifelike, their quirks amuse rather than terrify, and the “Studio Ghibli” AI fever is all too relatable. Check these amusing links for a chuckle.

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