The XR Weekly Snapshot (2025.07.28): Exciting Quest Features Revealed, Brilliant Labs’ New Smartglasses, and More!

Hope summer’s treating ya well! Dive into this whirlpool of XR chaos and hang onto your hats because there’s a BEATABLE giveaway in here somewhere. Enjoy!

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## This Week’s Big News Bombshells

(Image by Meta—looking snazzy, eh?)

### Quest Mysteries from Datamine Detectives

So there’s this Luna—got the scoop on some Quest features. Here are the juicy bits:

– Horizon Home’s getting a facelift. Out goes the static, in comes dynamic and social. Home’s now more of a Horizon Worlds party hub! Portals, shareable 2D windows, pinned apps… all happening in your cozy little virtual space.

– The central plaza? Full makeover. The UI team decided to run wild, making Horizon Worlds zing at system level. When you’re sky-high in-world, spot your starter home below—it’s like a Nod to Nostalgia or something.

– Heard of Horizon Hyperscape? That demo with Gaussian splats—yeah, no clue what that means either—becoming a full-blown app, Horizon Photoreal. Scan places with your phone, share ’em—like social media, but places. Crazy, right? Dreamt of this years back.

Remember though, it’s all whispers and rumors—thank Luna for these virtual breadcrumbs.

[Find out more]

### Noteworthy News Nuggets

(Image by Brilliant Labs—stylish specs!)

#### Brilliant Labs Hacks In with Smartglasses

Mark your calendar: July 31st, 10am PT. Brilliant Labs teases their new smartglasses—call it their trifecta following Monocle and Frames. Openness for developers? Yes, please!

Bobak Tavangar’s doing an AMA on /r/augmentedreality during the launch. Might wanna tune in if you’re into eye tech.

[Discover more] | [Get AMA updates]

### More News in the Noise

(Image by Sharp—a funky new thing)

#### Sharp Bets on VR Controller Oddity

Needed a VR controller like a hole in the head, but Sharp said, “What the heck.” Looks like a glove-melded monstrosity offering haptic delights. Sold for ¥100,000… about $680. Let’s see who bites.

[Read Sharp Updates]

#### Meta’s EMG Wristband Tricks

Meta’s wristband—like a magic bracelet for the future? Four primo gestures, each as natural as breathing. That thumb swipe though—chef’s kiss.

[More wristband wizardry]

#### Google’s Prototype… Prototype?

Karl Guttag spills the tea: Google’s smart specs might be lab-bound mysteries. Raxium’s low display yield makes ’em rare unicorns of wearables. Just sayin’.

[Get the lowdown]

### VR Buzz and Promising Games

Mark the spot: August 12th, 8:40 AM PT—VR Games Showcase’s Summer 2025 bash. Get hyped!

[Learn more]

And Pico’s Summer sale’s still on. Get in before Aug 10 and snag those discounts!

[Check it out]

### Unraveling VR Tragedies

Another studio bites the dust: Dungeon Full Dive’s creators, TxK Gaming Studios, shutting operations. The game master kit’s now free—a silver lining? Kickstarter woes strike again.

[Read more on this saga]

### Other XR Whimsies

Hey, you can golf with real balls in mixed reality with Putt Window. Sounds mad fun—watch out for vases!

[Hone your swing]

Studio tidbits: Sound Bath’s audio journeys, Eldramoor’s Kickstarter trek, and Billie Eilish’s 180° 3D filming antics. Busier than ever in that VR universe!

[Explore tinkering]

### Partner Shoutouts and Such

BEATABLE’s out of Early Access. Dive in hands-first to tune-making madness. Grab it on the Horizon Store—if you’re quick enough, snag a freebie key!

[Get your groove on]

New blog alert—from my pal Medhi Sam. His first shot at bending worlds in Unity with shader magic. Give it a click if you like brain-twisting tech wizardry.

[Check out the blog]

#### Tech Tidbits

FM DUO’s 12K-capable cam—because who doesn’t need eye-popping resolution? Seriously, give it a look.

[Unearth more]

Just a gentle nudge: Remember those in need—share a bit with the Red Cross for Ukraine. Links below. Thanks to all who back me through Patreon! You guys rock.

[Support the Red Cross in Ukraine]

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