Global Scans · Augmented reality · Weekly Summary

• [New] User Base By 2025, the number of active mobile AR users worldwide is projected to exceed 2 billion, having reached 1.7 billion by 2024. Emerline
• [New] As AR tech becomes cheaper and more accessible, indie developers and local designers could start crafting experiences that blend storytelling, tech, and Texas-style creativity. Fort Worth Weekly
• [New] The AR headset could position Meta as the most formidable competitor to Apple's Vision Pro and other AR-first devices. AI CERTs News
• [New] QR codes, invented in 1994 for automotive tracking, have become essential for contactless interactions, with usage projected to grow 20% annually by 2025, driven by AI integration, dynamic functionalities, and emerging tech like AR and blockchain. WebProNews
• Apple will launch its first pair of AR glasses in 2027, although they could be revealed as soon as 2026. TechRadar
• In the retail industry, brands like IKEA use AR to help customers visualize how furniture will look in their homes before purchasing. Journal
• Virtual reality technology continues to evolve, and fall 2025 will introduce next-generation headsets designed to deliver immersive gaming experiences. Medium
• In the year 2025, both VR and AR will be able to gain more traction. Yogonet
• The convergence of VR, AR, and AI will lead to seamless, personalized digital interactions, with lightweight wearable devices potentially replacing smartphones as primary interfaces by the end of the decade. The Chronicle-Journal
• By 2025, classrooms will be equipped with AR and VR tools that allow students to explore topics in ways that are impossible with traditional textbooks. Euphoria XR
• Artificial Intelligence will be pivotal in improving AR and VR technologies by 2025. Euphoria XR
• Virtual reality integration might sound futuristic, but Meta's investment in VR technology suggests WhatsApp Web could support immersive meeting spaces by 2025. Stanislav Kondrashov
• By shifting focus to lightweight AI glasses - targeting a 2026 launch - Apple is acknowledging what many of us in the trenches already knew: the future of augmented reality lies in everyday wearability, not immersive isolation. Medium
• Hardware Evolution: Lightweight AR glasses priced under $300 are slated for 2027, making everyday overlay of digital information as normal as checking a smartwatch. DexViews
• Integration with AR Glasses: Devices like Apple Vision Pro or Meta's AR glasses could make AR navigation hands-free and more natural. The Intellify -
• Asia-Pacific will post the fastest growth during 2025-2034, with a CAGR of 34.8% billion by the end of the forecast period, fueled by leadership in AI + IoT and AI + AR integration. Yahoo Finance
• How Apple Vision Pro Could Redefine Live Digital Entertainment The launch of Apple Vision Pro, a high-end augmented reality and virtual reality headset that blends digital content with real-world input, marks a shift in how live digital entertainment can be experienced. Apple Magazine
• In the Asia Pacific region, India is expected to lead with AR/VR in healthcare at a CAGR of 26.1% by 2027. KOMPANIONS
• By the 2030s, AR could exceed $300 billion, fueling a surge in demand for AR-driven applications across sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, and entertainment. Imagine.io
• India alone is expected to generate US$ 917.5 million in AR/VR revenues in 2025, with penetration climbing past 50% by 2029. APN News
• By 2025 and beyond, augmented reality navigation will move from nice-to-have to standard expectation in airports, malls, hospitals, and smart cities. The Intellify -

Last updated: 26 October 2025