mixed reality Archives

BetaBeacon

January 3, 2026

What’s Next for Augmented Reality and Casino Games on Android?

- AR in casino gaming refers to digital elements appearing in a real environment, not replacing it - AR casino games on Android rely on ARCore and engines like Unity or Unreal for stability - Early AR casino experiences on Android are about curiosity and low commitment - Most AR casino projects on Android focus on adjusting existing games rather than introducing new concepts - Benefits for players include familiar games feeling different and enhanced social features - Challenges for AR casino gaming on Android include device performance variations and legal considerations - Tips for developers include prioritizing reliability over visual ambition and testing across a broad range of hardware - Tips for players include preparing their environment with good lighting and keeping ARCore and system software up to date - Progress in Android-based AR casino games is expected to come from slow improvements rather than sudden leaps - Wearable AR devices and hands-free interaction through movement and voice capabilities are expected to be the future of AR casino gaming on Android

BetaBeacon

November 30, 2025

IT’S VR TIME! PSVR 2 and Quest 3S are on DEEP discount this Black Friday at a full $100 off!

The PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle has dropped in price from 9 to 9, making it a great addition for PS5 gamers.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

Forget Steam Frame, you can get up to $70 off the Meta Quest 3S in this early Black Friday sale

The Meta Quest 3 is highlighted for its affordability, solid hardware, and a rich library of exclusive games. The Meta Quest 3S, a budget-friendly alternative, is currently available at a discount as part of early Black Friday promotions. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, 8GB of RAM, and improved weight distribution. The Meta Quest 3S is rated 7/10 and is recommended for first-time buyers or those upgrading from the Quest 2. It supports standalone and PCVR gaming, allowing access to titles like Batman: Arkham Shadow and Deadpool VR, as well as streaming PCVR games. The 128GB model is priced at 9.99 on Amazon, bundled with a Gorilla Tag skin and a three-month trial of the Horizon+ service, while the 256GB version is available for 9.99, including the same trial and a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow. The discount is part of an early Black Friday sale, suggesting availability until December 1, 2025.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

These are the 10 best Android apps of the year, according to Google

Google has announced the best Android apps of 2025, recognizing standout applications in various categories: - Best Overall App: Focus Friend by Hank Green, designed to help users combat distractions. - Best for Fun: Edits, an Instagram app with over 10 million downloads and an average rating of 4.5 stars, simplifies video preparation for social media. - Best Everyday Essential: Wiser - 15 Minute Audio Books, which offers a selection of audiobooks and 15-minute summaries. - Best for Families: ABCmouse 2: Kids Learning Game, providing educational resources for children aged 2 to 8. - Best for Watches: SleepisolBio, an app that combines AI analysis with audio therapy to improve sleep quality. - Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes, a note-taking and document organization app optimized for larger devices. - Best for Cars: SoundCloud, which allows users to discover new music with an interface suitable for Android Auto. - Best for XR Headsets: Calm, utilizing virtual and augmented reality for relaxation and focus.

BetaBeacon

November 18, 2025

This $199 Meta Quest 3S deal takes me back to the golden age of console gaming when the GameCube was new and games were all about fun and high scores

- The Meta Quest 3S is a portable VR gaming console that functions like a wearable Nintendo Switch. - This year's Meta Quest 3S Black Friday deals include a 9 deal at Costco, which includes a full year of Meta Horizon Plus subscription. - The Meta Quest 3S is being offered at its lowest price ever, making it a must-have gaming purchase this holiday season.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Google Play Store update makes finding apps built for XR headsets way simpler

Google is enhancing the Play Store with a significant upgrade for mixed reality headset owners, introducing an “XR headset” chip that will display headset-specific screenshots, reviews, and app details. A dedicated XR section has been added within the Apps and Games tabs to streamline the discovery of mixed-reality and virtual reality applications. This update coincides with the anticipated launch of devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR headset. Google aims to ensure Android apps work seamlessly across the XR landscape, collaborating with platforms like Valve’s Steam Frame VR to support Android applications. The revamped Play Store layout will help users easily identify applications optimized for immersive experiences, providing a more streamlined preview experience and intuitive browsing for spatial environments. This proactive approach positions Android for a vibrant ecosystem as XR hardware gains traction in the mainstream market.

BetaBeacon

November 15, 2025

I hand picked 16 of today’s Meta Quest games announcements you need to see, plus several stealth releases you can play right now!

- Vampire Survivors is now available in virtual reality. - Hotel Infinity is a VR game that features shifting and changing worlds with impossible architecture. - Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss is a MOBA spinoff that is a real-time strategy game. - Syberia VR is a remastered point-and-click adventure game from the early 2000s playable in VR. - EXOSHOCK is a co-op PvE sci-fi squad shooter with unique combat and art style. - Banners & Bastions is a strategy puzzle game with new content and improvements. - Dimensional Double Shift is a multiplayer game where players work together in different dimensions.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Pocket Lands Looks Like Mixed Reality Minecraft On Quest

Pocket Lands allows users to create miniature worlds in mixed reality and explore them in virtual reality. It is set to launch in early access on December 11, developed by Thomas van den Berge, known for the VR painting app Vermillion. Players can build dioramas using hand tracking controls and switch to first-person VR mode for exploration. The game features various biomes and locomotion options in VR. Future plans for the full release in the second half of 2026 include cave systems, additional biomes, creatures, multiplayer build battles, and co-located and remote creative multiplayer experiences.

BetaBeacon

November 14, 2025

“It just works”: Valve talk the Steam Frame, Android games on SteamOS, and putting a PC on your face

Valve has announced the Steam Frame, a new VR headset that aims to allow users to play as many VR and non-VR games as possible. The headset runs Steam games from its own onboard storage and uses controllers with a more conventional layout. The Frame's ARM-based Snapdragon chip poses challenges and opportunities for compatibility with Android VR games. Valve is working on platform crossover plans to allow Android VR titles on Steam, using an x86-to-ARM emulator called FEX. The Frame will be able to run PC games as well as Android VR games due to its SteamOS platform. Valve is focusing on providing a seamless gaming experience for customers without them having to worry about technical details. The Frame will also support mixed reality with the right third-party hardware additions.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Immersive productivity with Windows and Meta Quest: Now generally available

The Mixed Reality Link and the Windows App for Meta Quest are now generally available, enabling full capabilities of Windows 11 and Windows 365 for mixed reality headsets. Users can connect to their local Windows PC or Windows 365 Cloud PC, access multiple high-resolution virtual monitors, and create private workspaces. The v81 release of Meta’s Horizon OS allows all users to access this experience without experimental settings. Connecting a Meta Quest 3 or 3S headset to Windows involves installing Mixed Reality Link and pairing the device. Feedback from the community since the Public Preview in December 2024 has led to improvements in connection reliability and higher resolution virtual monitors.