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TOPIC

Virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR)

Virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR)
Tech companies are actively pursuing developments in virtual reality - which involves creating an interactive virtual world using body motion tracking and headsets - and its sister technology, augmented reality, which combines real world and virtual data into the experience. Find out the latest developments in these industries right here.
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Diplomacy

Beijing ‘on high alert’ for disruption after Philippine-India navy patrol: PLA

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China Economy

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Project Aura’s AR glasses are powered by Android XR. Photo: handout
Google

Meet the Chinese start-up behind Google’s Android XR glasses

Despite waves of hype, mixed-reality technology has yet to achieve mainstream adoption due to high costs, hardware limitations and application scarcity.

Mobile payments

Ant Group pushes wider adoption of AI-enabled smart glasses for mobile payments

US-China tech war

US pushes Vietnam to decouple from Chinese tech, sources say

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Apple

Apple’s most sweeping software redesign disappoints mainland Chinese consumers

The hashtag ‘iOS26 Ugly’ was microblogging app Weibo’s top-trending topic on Tuesday, as thousands of netizens expressed their discontent.

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Artificial intelligence

Chinese AR glasses maker Rokid is going global with Alibaba partnership

Rokid will launch its AR Spatial glasses on AliExpress through the platform’s ‘BigSave’ programme, shaving off about US$100 off the US$650 eyewear.

Artificial intelligence

Meta partners with US military contractor to develop VR helmets

The ‘sci-fi-style military helmet’ named ‘Eagle Eye’ is one of several advanced products being developed for the US military.

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Apple

Apple aims to launch smart glasses in 2026 in push into AI devices

The iPhone maker is looking to join the emerging trend of AI-powered devices – an area where it faces fresh competition.

Apple is panning its first pair of smart glasses for 2026, sources say. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Meet Chinese start-up Xreal, Google’s partner in AR glasses project

Project Aura provides a big boost to Xreal’s credentials in the smart glasses arena, while widening its reach in the international market.

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Google unveils flurry of upgrades as AI threatens search business

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Geely-owned DreamSmart to push mobile payments via AI smart glasses

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Metaverse

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Art

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Apple

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Loosely based on the Vision Pro headset’s software, the new design could help revive demand for Apple’s iPhones.

Artificial intelligence

Rokid’s AI-infused AR glasses wow China with real-world demo

A demonstration by company founder Misa Zhu at a government event has gone viral on social media and sparked a stock market frenzy.

Misa Zhu Mingming, CEO and founder of Chinese augmented reality (AR) start-up Rokid, introduces the Rokid Glasses at a launch event last year. Photo: Weibo
Artificial intelligence

DeepSeek’s AI models give boost to China’s smart glasses sector to take on Meta

The start-up’s powerful and cost-efficient models have “fundamentally reshaped the economics of AI deployment’, smart glasses maker Rokid’s founder says.

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Food and Drinks

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Scientists at City University of Hong Kong have invented a device that can mimic flavours by zapping the tongue with an electric current.

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Architecture and design

Notre-Dame expo takes visitors on virtual history tour of Paris icon

An augmented-reality show is coming to Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, celebrating the history and reopening of the landmark after the devastating 2019 fire.

Education

Are VR headsets the future of education in schools?

Virtual reality headsets can help to teach languages and train workers. Do they have a bright future in schools? Experts weigh in.

Artificial intelligence

Chinese AR start-up Rokid puts Alibaba AI in smart glasses to take on Meta

Rokid’s US$345 smart glasses are the latest from China to adopt generative AI to capitalise on the burgeoning product category.

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Wearables

These AR glasses can tell you names and addresses of people you meet

Two students created augmented reality smart glasses that identify people they see, exposing the risks of mixing AI with facial recognition.

Imagine a pair of glasses that could tell you the name and address of anyone you met. Harvard students Caine Ardayfio and AnhPhu Nguyen made them a reality in just four days. The students adapted Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and computer software to create spectacles utilising existing face recognition technology to identify people in real time, underscoring the potential for augmented reality (AR) in future. Photo: X/ AnhPhuNguyen1
Apple

Apple explores smart glasses, following Meta’s lead

An internal study is under way to gather feedback from Apple employees on smart glasses, sources say.

Alibaba

Alibaba cuts ‘dozens of employees’ at metaverse unit as sector’s hype cools down

The lay-offs affected Alibaba metaverse unit Yuanjing’s operations in Shanghai and Hangzhou, according to a report.

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Artificial intelligence

Review | Seeing is believing: Chinese smart-glasses maker Even Realities bets on visuals

The US$600 G1 glasses are a premium, display-oriented product in a market increasingly flooded with cheap Chinese alternatives.

Even Realities’ G1 smart glasses use mini-LED projectors to display things such as turn-by-turn navigation and live translations on the lenses. Photo: Even Realities
What to do in Hong Kong

5 great shows for arts fans in Hong Kong this weekend, October 4-6

A Chinese instrument masterclass and a Grammy nominated duo are part of a feast for music fans this weekend. And an art fair is back.

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Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms will produce virtual reality headsets in Vietnam

Facebook parent Meta said it will produce its next-generation virtual and augmented reality headsets in Vietnam, creating 1,000 jobs.

Artificial intelligence

Meta’s chatbot will speak in voices of celebrities like Awkwafina

Meta’s new feature comes after rival OpenAI introduced a ChatGPT voice that sounded like actress Scarlett Johansson, without her consent.

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