Augmented Reality
Ongoing coverage on Augmented Reality.
Latest coverage
Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary Is Expanding With a New VR and AR Game
Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" is expanding with a new VR and AR game titled "Project Hail Mary: Journey Among the Stars." Developed by Maze Theory in collaboration with Amazon MGM, the game features an original story written by Weir where players control Ryland Grace. It is set for a late 2026 release window on mixed reality platforms.
Sony to acquire machine learning company Cinemersive Labs
Sony Interactive Entertainment has agreed to acquire machine learning company Cinemersive Labs, which specializes in 3D photography and video for VR and AR. The acquisition aims to enhance Sony's visual computing efforts in game development. The Cinemersive Labs team will join SIE's Visual Computing Group to advance rendering techniques and visual fidelity.
Sony to acquire AI and computer vision company Cinemersive Labs
Sony Interactive Entertainment has agreed to acquire UK-based machine learning and computer vision company Cinemersive Labs. The firm specializes in immersive 3D photography and video for VR and AR and will join SIE's Visual Computing Group to advance visual computing in games through machine learning and improved rendering techniques.
Morning Mobilization
New smart glasses now allow users to read ebooks and play chess at eye level. This development integrates reading and gaming functionalities directly into the augmented reality experience provided by the smart glasses.
Sony Interactive Entertainment acquires UK-based Cinemersive Labs
Sony Interactive Entertainment has acquired UK-based Cinemersive Labs, a company specializing in camera technology for AR/VR experiences. Cinemersive Labs also focuses on machine learning and generative AI-assisted 3D photographic technology.
Dig It Gold Season 2 Release: Introducing Energy and NUGS Rewards
Dig It Gold Game has launched Season 2, introducing new features and higher earning potential with its NUGS currency, which is linked to real-world gold through AuCan Gold's operations. The game utilizes Telegram as a Mini App for seamless access and has expanded its utility through collaborations with GAMEE and upcoming titles like Go For Gold.
Pokemon Go's April Fool's Surprise Is Real, And Fans Are Loving It
Pokemon Go has officially introduced Mimikyu, a highly requested Pokemon, to the game, debunking April Fool's Day rumors. Mimikyu will have increased spawns during the Spotlight Hour and will also appear in random task rewards. The game is also set to feature Silicobra and shiny Toedscool, along with a Fashion Raid Day event.
Acron: Attack of the Squirrels Drops Its First Update in Five Years, Cherry Glade
Resolution Games has released a significant update for Acron: Attack of the Squirrels!, its VR and mobile party game, after a five-year hiatus. The update introduces a new spring-themed level called Cherry Glade, which alters gameplay with new movement mechanics for the squirrel players. It also includes technical improvements focused on stability, synchronization, and addressing high-ping issues. The update is free for existing owners and available on Meta Quest platforms, SteamVR, and PICO headsets, with a companion app for mobile players supporting cross-platform play.
Monado becomes the open source foundation for various OpenXR (VR) vendors
Collabora's open-source XR runtime, Monado, has become the foundational technology for numerous vendors in the VR and AR industry, including Google's AndroidXR, Hololight Stream, NVIDIA CloudXR, Pico, PortalVR, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Spaces. Monado's modularity, quality, permissive licensing, and lower barrier to entry are cited as key advantages for its widespread adoption.
Google begins rolling out Search Live globally
Google has begun a global rollout of its Search Live feature, which allows users to ask questions about objects or scenes captured by their phone's camera. This expansion makes the tool available in over 200 countries and territories where Google's AI Mode chatbot is offered. Additionally, Google is bringing its Live Translate feature to iOS devices, supporting over 70 languages for real-time audio translation.
Morning Mobilization
The article discusses the increasing integration of smart technology into everyday eyewear, specifically focusing on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. It explores the potential implications of these devices for privacy and societal norms as augmented reality features become more commonplace.
Pokemon Go’s Niantic has leveraged years of collected player data to train… delivery robots
Niantic, the developer behind Pokemon Go, is using player data collected from the game and its other AR title Ingress to train delivery robots for Coco Robotics. Approximately 30 billion images and various sensor data points have been leveraged to create centimeter-accurate maps for urban navigation. Niantic Spatial plans to continue gathering player data with voluntary consent to enhance its visual positioning system technology.
If you're still playing Pokémon Go, you're helping train data-gobbling GPS AI for Niantic Spatial
Niantic is leveraging data from its popular game Pokémon Go to train AI models for its spinout company, Niantic Spatial. This initiative aims to create highly precise digital maps of the physical world, enabling machines and robots to navigate and interact with their surroundings. The collected data, which users agree to in the terms of service, is being used to develop geospatial AI with potential applications for delivery robots, AR glasses, and even the military.
With over 30 billion images logged, Pokemon Go is using players' activity to train its spinout AI company to help GPS pinpointing: "I'm very focused on trying to re-create the real world"
Niantic Spatial, a spinout from Pokemon Go developer Niantic, is using AR mapping data collected from players to train AI for improved GPS pinpointing. This technology aims to assist delivery robots, such as those from Coco Robotics, in navigating urban environments where GPS is less reliable. The company has trained its system on approximately 30 billion images captured by players, addressing concerns about data privacy by noting that players are informed about data collection for mapping purposes.
Niantic Says Pokémon Go Data Now Being Used to Train Delivery Robots, as 'Getting Pikachu to Realistically Run Around' Is 'Actually the Same Problem' - IGN
Niantic is leveraging data from its augmented reality games like Pokémon Go to train delivery robots for its partner company, Coco. The company claims the spatial understanding required for AR navigation is similar to that needed for robots to safely traverse urban environments. Niantic Spatial has access to billions of real-world images collected from players to aid in this development.
‘Monster Hunter Now’ Season 3 To Add Magnamalo, Heavy Bowgun Weapon, Cooking, and More on September 11th – TouchArcade
Monster Hunter Now's Season 3 update, titled "Curse of the Wandering Flames," will launch on September 11th and introduce Magnamalo, Rajang, and Aknosom as new monsters. The update also adds the Heavy Bowgun weapon type and a cooking feature. The game is available on iOS and Android.
Polar Express is SCARY – The TouchArcade Show #609 – TouchArcade
The TouchArcade Show episode 609 covers various topics including the Polar Express movie and train ride, Apple Vision Pro, AR glasses, and Apple Intelligence. The discussion also touches on the game Mario & Luigi: Brothership for the Nintendo Switch.
Elevating AR Adventure: Brook Gaming Introduces Total Freedom with Flashman’s Precision Control
Brook Gaming (Zeroplus Technology Co., Ltd.) has launched two new accessories, ARmate and Flashman, designed to enhance augmented reality gaming experiences. ARmate offers automation and location control for tasks like spinning PokéStops and catching Pokémon, while Flashman provides precision control for iOS devices with features like a 360° joystick and coordinate memory.
Samsung Galaxy XR Headset Review – Geeky Sweetie
The Samsung Galaxy XR Headset offers impressive real-time text translation capabilities for games using OCR via Google Translate, a feature not confirmed by ChatGPT or Samsung support. While the headset's pass-through technology and app store are superior to Meta's offerings, its weight and tendency to slip forward can cause discomfort, though the separate battery pack mitigates some of this. Despite finicky touch controls and potential issues with window resizing, the headset is a worthwhile investment for those seeking English localizations for games like Otome titles.
Best of MWC 2026
Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona showcased innovative mobile technology, including new foldable phones, advanced tablets, and AR headsets. Standout devices included the Huawei Mate X7 foldable, the powerful Huawei Matepad Edge tablet, and the rugged OUKITEL WP63 with a built-in fire starter. Other notable announcements featured the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro with its unique display modes, the Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni C28 for pet owners, and the modular Tecno Concept Phone.
