XR Weekly Preview (2025.07.28): New Quest Features Revealed, Brilliant Labs’ Smartglasses Launch, and More!

Hey there, hope your summer isn’t just about sunburns and mosquito bites. Anyway, here’s some XR stuff that’s got me buzzing lately. Oh, and there’s a giveaway buried in here somewhere, so you might want to stick around for that.

Top News of the Week

(Meta’s got something cooking)

Okay, so Luna’s been snooping around in Upload VR and found some juicy bits about Quest. Looks like Horizon Home is ditching its outdated digs for something lively and, let’s be real, probably a bit more nosy. This new setup is kind of like a Horizon Worlds annex where you can pester people with your 2D windows and portals. And oh, there’s a whole facelift happening in the central plaza of Horizon Worlds. Not just face paint, more like a full-on surgery.

But here’s the kicker: Remember that demo, Horizon Hyperscape? Well, rumor has it, Meta’s turning it into the full-fledged Horizon Photoreal. Imagine scanning your messy room with a phone and letting others marvel at it. Social media for untidy spaces? Sounds about right.

Heads up: All this is just virtual whispers. Some might pop up at Meta Connect; others, who knows.

Other Big Scoops

(Brilliant Labs is up to something)

Brilliant Labs is putting shiny new smartglasses on the table on July 31st. Bobak Tavangar is jumping into a Reddit AMA to chat about it. These could be worth the hype—maybe hit that subreddit if you’re into open ecosystems.

(Why did Sharp do this?)

So, Sharp went rogue and tossed a VR controller into the ring. It’s like a glove-cum-controller with buzzy finger bits. I have no idea who wanted this, but hey, it’s a thing now.

(Meta’s wrist flick thingy?)

Meta’s cooking up EMG wristbands, promising ninja swipes and finger twiddles. Four gestures that’ll probably make you feel more graceful than a cat on roller skates.

Google’s Prototype

Some geek named Karl Guttag says Google’s smartglasses are more lab rat than ready-for-prime-time. Something about Raxium and dud displays. But until Google admits it, it’s basically gossip.

VR Games Showcase? Back at it!

August 12th, set your alarms. Promises of big reveals and maybe a few letdowns, let’s see how it pans out.

Oh, Pico’s got a sale

Got a Pico headset? They’re practically begging you to buy games with discounts up the wazoo until August 10th.

My Take on Studio Shutdowns

TxK Gaming Studios is shutting its doors. Another VR dream bites the dust. Giving away their $50 GM Edition for free is healthy good vibes, though. Can we maybe stop pretending shoestring budgets make big VR magic happen? It’s like expecting a cat to bark.

More Stuff You Didn’t Ask For:

• Sound Bath – Chill sounds, vibes, and… vibes.
• Billie Eilish – Is she going VR too? Maybe.
• Spotify on Quest – Jam away, Quest owners.

Reviews that Matter (or Not):

• The Pirate: Republic of Nassau – Pirates in VR. Arrr enough said.
• Dreams of Another – Gun-wielding storytelling gets emotional.

Some Shameless Plugs

• BEATABLE Giveaway – Get rhythmically savvy with some hand-tracked beats.
• Mehdi’s Unity Tricks – Wrap your head with some shader wizardry with Mehdi’s new blog.

Random Bits:

• Some VR Android hackery lets you mess with APKs without going into hyper-dev mode.
• Google’s AI lets you try on clothes via photos – great if you forgot how mirrors work.

A Laugh to End It On:

You’d think VR was about keeping your clothes on, but folks have other ideas.

Lastly, a Heartfelt Plea

Not gonna lie, this bit’s heavy. Consider tossing some goodwill towards the Red Cross in Ukraine. And thanks to all the awesome Patreon folks who make my ramblings possible. You guys rock more than this article ever could.

Stay curious, stay messy.