Meta Unveils Next-Gen VR Prototypes Ahead of SIGGRAPH Demo
Meta recently previewed its latest virtual reality prototypes, set to debut at the upcoming SIGGRAPH conference. The company aims to create VR experiences so lifelike they become indistinguishable from the physical world—a feat no current VR system has achieved. Meta refers to this goal as surpassing the visual Turing test.
Xuan Wang, an optical research scientist at Meta’s Reality Labs Research, emphasized the project’s mission to deliver the highest possible image quality. The Tiramisu prototype demonstrates this ambition with specs that outshine the Meta Quest 3, offering three times the contrast, 14 times the brightness, and 3.6 times the angular resolution. The headset boasts 1,400 nits of brightness and 90 pixels per degree in angular resolution.
However, Tiramisu remains a work in progress. Its field of view is limited to 33 degrees by 33 degrees, far narrower than the Quest 3’s 110-degree horizontal and 96-degree vertical FOV. The design also draws comparisons to Google’s discontinued Daydream headset.
In contrast, Meta’s Boba 3 prototypes focus on an ultra-wide field of view, reaching 180 degrees—close to the 200-degree range of human vision. Despite this expansive FOV, the headsets maintain a size similar to current VR models.
Google Claims AI Search Improvements Amid Criticism
Google’s AI Overviews feature in Search has faced backlash for potentially harming web traffic, but the company insists it’s driving higher-quality clicks. Liz Reid, Google’s Search head, stated that organic click volume remains stable year-over-year, with more visitors engaging meaningfully with content. However, Google provided no concrete data to support these claims, leaving publishers skeptical.
OpenAI Launches Free GPT-5 With Major Upgrades
OpenAI has officially released GPT-5, its most advanced AI model yet, now available for free. The update brings significant improvements in coding, writing, safety, and accuracy. Unlike previous versions, GPT-5 defaults to a reasoning model, enabling it to break complex problems into manageable steps—previously a feature locked behind the paid Think Longer option.
Framework Desktop 2025: Power With Compromises
Framework’s latest Desktop PC targets creatives and developers with its AMD Ryzen AI Max APU. While powerful, the CPU and RAM are soldered, limiting upgradability. The DIY Edition simplifies setup but isn’t ideal for gaming, excelling instead in AI workloads and video editing.
Nintendo Switch 2 Gets a Fun Camera Accessory Deal
HORI’s Piranha Plant camera for the Switch 2 is now on sale for $40, a $20 discount. The quirky accessory enhances games like Mario Kart World and includes a plant pot stand for standalone use.
Meta’s VR advancements, OpenAI’s GPT-5 release, and Google’s AI Search debate highlight a week of major tech developments. Meanwhile, Framework’s latest PC and a playful Switch 2 accessory offer niche appeal for enthusiasts.
