Meta to Increase Quest VR Headset Prices Amid Chip Costs

dailydhakatimes.com Aug 17, 2026

Meta to Increase Quest VR Headset Prices Amid Chip Costs

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 17, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Meta announced price increases for its Quest virtual reality headsets, effective April 19th, citing rising global memory chip costs. The 128GB Meta Quest 3S will rise by $50 to $349.99, while the 256GB model will also increase by $50 to $449.99. The Meta Quest 3 will see a more significant $100 hike, reaching $599.99. Meta stated these adjustments are necessary to maintain hardware, software, and support quality. Refurbished units will also reflect these new prices, though accessory costs remain unchanged. This move aligns Meta with other major tech firms like Samsung, Microsoft, and Sony, who have similarly raised hardware prices due to ongoing RAM shortages. The company emphasized that the global surge in component prices is impacting various consumer electronics sectors, necessitating these financial adjustments to sustain their VR platform operations and product standards.

💡 Why It Matters

· Rising component costs are forcing premium VR hardware out of reach for budget-conscious consumers, potentially slowing mainstream adoption.
· This pricing shift confirms that supply chain volatility is now a permanent barrier to entry for immersive technology markets.

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[News] TDK acquires assets from OQmented to advance AR display technologies

TDK Corporation has announced the acquisition of specific assets from OQmented, a move designed to significantly advance its augmented reality display technologies. This strategic transaction allows TDK to integrate OQmented’s proprietary optical expertise and intellectual property into its existing product portfolio. The deal underscores TDK’s commitment to expanding its presence in the rapidly growing AR market, leveraging specialized components to enhance user experience and device performance. By securing these assets, TDK aims to accelerate the development of next-generation AR solutions that offer improved visual clarity and efficiency. The acquisition reflects a broader industry trend where major electronics manufacturers are aggressively pursuing vertical integration and strategic partnerships to gain competitive advantages in emerging display technologies. This step positions TDK to better serve customers in the wearable electronics and mobile device sectors, ensuring they have access to cutting-edge optical components. The transaction highlights the increasing importance of specialized display technologies in driving innovation within the consumer electronics landscape, as companies seek to differentiate their offerings through superior hardware capabilities and integrated solutions.

💡 TDK’s move secures critical optical IP, bypassing the lengthy R&D cycle typically required for AR hardware innovation. This acquisition allows the company to immediately strengthen its supply chain position in the competitive wearable tech sector.

ledinside.com · Aug 19

[News] URXR One Is Live on Kickstarter: 93-Gram Spatial Display Glasses, From…

URXR has officially launched its One spatial display glasses on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. The device weighs exactly 93 grams, positioning it as an ultra-lightweight option in the emerging spatial computing market. Pricing for the new glasses starts at $699, making the technology more accessible to early adopters and consumers interested in augmented reality experiences. The launch marks a significant entry for URXR into the direct-to-consumer hardware space, leveraging crowdfunding to gauge market interest and secure initial production funding. The lightweight design addresses common user complaints regarding the bulkiness of previous generation AR headsets. By offering a sub-700 dollar price point, the company aims to lower the barrier to entry for spatial computing devices. The campaign’s success will likely influence future product development and manufacturing scales for the brand. This release adds another competitor to the growing list of companies vying for dominance in the wearable tech sector. The specific focus on weight reduction suggests a priority on user comfort for extended wear sessions.

💡 The sub-700 dollar price point directly challenges the premium pricing strategy of established tech giants in the spatial computing sector. This aggressive entry forces competitors to reconsider their value propositions for lightweight augmented reality hardware.

theargus.co.uk · Aug 18

Free story trail turns town centre into interactive open-air gallery

From August 14 to September 25, Bexhill town centre will host the Summertopia augmented‑reality story trail, a free, family‑focused adventure that turns shop windows into a nine‑stop open‑air gallery. Organized by the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board and High Street Safari, the trail places QR codes on colourful illustrations by “competitive animal artists” from the fictional Summertopia world. Scanning each code with a smartphone triggers 3D AR characters, riddles and mini‑challenges that guide participants on a roughly 30‑minute walk beginning at Bexhill Train Station. Upon completion, families receive a complimentary illustrated e‑book and can collect sticker prizes at the De La Warr Pavilion. No app download or registration is required, encouraging outdoor activity while engaging children with technology.

💡 It demonstrates how low‑cost digital art can revitalize high streets, drawing foot traffic without commercial pressure.

thelincolnianonline.com · Aug 17

Promising Metaverse Stocks To Follow Today – August 14th

MarketBeat’s stock screener identified Global Mofy AI, Everbright Digital, and HUB Cyber Security as the top Metaverse stocks to monitor on August 14, 2026. These three companies recorded the highest dollar trading volume among Metaverse equities in recent days. Global Mofy AI provides virtual content production, digital marketing, and asset development services in China, utilizing its Mofy Lab platform for 3D reconstruction and AI technologies. Everbright Digital operates as an integrated marketing solutions provider in Hong Kong, offering tailored digital marketing services that support business development within evolving media landscapes. HUB Cyber Security delivers international cybersecurity solutions, including metaverse security, quantum-secured cloud workspaces, and ransomware protection. The Metaverse sector encompasses firms developing virtual worlds, immersive experiences, and supporting infrastructure like cloud computing and semiconductors. While these stocks may benefit from growing adoption, investors face risks including high volatility, uncertain demand, and evolving technology challenges associated with this thematic investment group.

💡 Surging trading volumes in these specific firms indicate shifting capital toward practical applications like content creation and cybersecurity, rather than speculative infrastructure. This trend suggests investors are prioritizing companies with immediate revenue streams in the virtual economy.

sphinx-solution.com · Aug 17

Top 12 Metaverse Development Companies – Software Development, AI & Technology Blog…

Sphinx Solutions highlights the growing demand for metaverse development services, identifying key players in the sector. The metaverse is defined as an immersive, interconnected digital ecosystem where physical and virtual boundaries blur, enabling work, socialization, and commerce. Major technology firms including Meta, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Nvidia, and Epic Games are investing heavily in this digital frontier. Core technologies powering these environments include Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence. Blockchain facilitates decentralization and digital ownership through NFTs, while AI enhances avatar realism and procedural content generation. Web3 principles aim for interoperability, allowing seamless asset transfer across platforms. Businesses utilize these services to create virtual spaces for gaming, social interaction, and customer engagement. Selecting a development partner requires evaluating technical expertise, industry experience, scalability, and proven project delivery capabilities to ensure successful implementation of complex, next-generation digital experiences.

💡 The convergence of AI, blockchain, and immersive reality technologies is shifting digital interaction from passive consumption to active ownership and participation. This technological shift forces enterprises to rethink customer engagement strategies by building persistent, interoperable virtual economies rather than isolated digital storefronts.

uaenews247.com · Aug 17

UAE’s PropTech sector to reach AED 5.95 billion by 2032

The United Arab Emirates’ PropTech sector is projected to expand from AED 2.49 billion in 2025 to AED 5.95 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 13.28%. This significant market growth is driven by the rapid adoption of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technologies, which are transforming real estate development, sales, and asset management. These immersive tools enable stakeholders to visualize projects accurately before construction, thereby reducing risks and costly revisions. Lifesize Plans Dubai, an Australian provider of life-sized architectural projections, has reported increasing demand for its services since launching UAE operations in 2023. The company’s technology allows clients to walk through 1:1 scale models, enhancing decision-making confidence. CEO Georges Calas noted that the UAE’s embrace of such innovations supports smarter, more efficient developments. Sustained government support for digital transformation and smart city initiatives further fuels this expansion, positioning the region as a leading global innovation hub for property technology solutions.

💡 Immersive visualization shifts real estate from speculative planning to precise, pre-construction validation. This technological integration directly reduces financial waste by identifying design flaws before physical work begins.